Rabbi Bob Alper and Ahmed Ahmed to perform comedy act at local synagogue.
By: Joseph Harvie
A Jew and a Muslim walk into a bar, and they start telling jokes.
Actually, on June 2 they won’t be walking into a bar, but into the B’nai Tikvah Jewish Center on Finnegans Lane, and they will be telling jokes.
During the show, Rabbi Bob Alper and Ahmed Ahmed, a Muslim, will share some of their personal experiences as they perform their 74th show together as a comedy duo.
"We’re not political and we don’t do current events," Rabbi Alper said. "We’re autobiographical. We both have a unique gold mine of material, Ahmed being a first generation American-Muslim Arab in post 9/11 and me being a rabbi Jew living in Vermont."
Rabbi Alper said he had a congregation in Philadelphia for 14 years and left to do counseling work. He said he began comedy in 1996 when he entered a contest seeking the most talented Jewish comic of the year.
"I came in third right behind a chiropractor and lawyer," Rabbi Alper said. "My career was launched and I came up the ranks, doing comedy clubs’ open mic nights and it just kind of grew."
He said he has had some funny moments while backstage at comedy events, especially with comedians who aren’t familiar with him.
"I remember being in a comedy club in the green room and a 22-year-old kid in a black T-shirt says we need to compare material so there’s no overlap," Rabbi Alper said. "I say ‘OK, you’re not going to do any material on officiating weddings or funerals are you?’ "
Rabbi Alper said the duo will each perform 35-minute solo pieces before a 15-minute set where they perform together.
"We are onstage together for an increasing amount of time," Rabbi Alper said. "We tell road stories. We have a terrific relationship. You ever see when there are two funny people on stage together and they are competing and trying to out-funny each other? Well, we do that."
Rabbi Alper said the two enjoy working together and have formed a strong bond over the years. He said they can be seen hanging out together after most shows. The two even visited a blues club together during a trip to Chicago.
"We like to hang out and see each other," Rabbi Alper said. "Often there is not enough time and we won’t see each other for a couple of months."
Rabbi Alper said he hopes the audience leaves the show with a feeling of hope that one day there will be peace between the Jews and Muslims.
"They go away with hope, especially when they see the two of us together," Rabbi Alper said. "The relationship between Jews and Arabs is not so terrific right now and seeing our relationship provides me with the hope that one day there will be peace."
Rabbi Alper said the partnership began as a business one, when his publicist suggested he team with a Muslim as a way to build an audience.
"We did it as a way to raise our visibility, almost as a business move," Rabbi Alper said. "Muslims and Jews and Christians are overwhelmed with the symbolism of what we do and not to mention the genuine friendship we have."
Rabbi Alper said that their relationship has brought together Muslims and Jews at college campuses.
"It is pretty interesting. At first we would get calls from Hillel or Jewish student associations and Muslim student associations would co-sponsor," Rabbi Alper said. "Next there are all Muslim student associations calling us and Jewish students helping out."
Rabbi Alper has a playful attitude about the duo’s reception with younger crowds, especially at colleges.
"After a college show they flock around Ahmed, and I stay off to my side, but usually one of the kids wanders off to my side and asks ‘Do you know my rabbi?’ " Rabbi Alper said with a chuckle.
Rabbi Alper said the pair met some resistance when they first started to perform.
"I had two shows booked, one in Long Island (N.Y.) and one in Philadelphia. The people in Long Island said absolutely not, but the people in Philadelphia said OK," Rabbi Alper said.
The duo has found it easier to get gigs in different types of venues. Rabbi Alper said the pair have played in synagogues, mosques and at business affairs.
"We did a mosque in (Los Angeles) which was wonderful," Rabbi Alper said. "I felt very much at home because I discovered that at mosques and synagogues the lay leaders don’t have a clue where the lights are or how the sound system works."
Tickets can be reserved for $17.50 for seniors and $20 for adults in advance or $22.50 at door. Advanced reservations must be made by May 30.Tickets can be reserved by calling the congregation B’nai Tikvah at (732) 297-0696.

