Newspaper Page Text
It’s now a laughing matter
for ex-Rabbi Jackie Mason
(Surriork t?lo&ors
“Say You Care”
My late father was deeply
concerned that all his sons follow
the rabbinate.”
When he went into show
SPECIAL SALE ON BREIIER SETS
by Geoffrey Fisher
Back in the early 1960s, before
the insatiable appetite of
television had consumed,
regurgitated and retread most of
the major standup comics, an ex
rabbi named Jackie Mason and
his thick ethnic dialect was making
a nation laugh every time he
opened his mouth.
Jackie was a regular on top
variety shows—Steve Allen, Jack
Paar, Ed Sullivan and others. One
night on the Sullivan show Jackie
was involved in an incident that
erupted into a major disagreement
with Sullivan that ended with
Jackie being banned from the
show.
That was 14 years ago.
Mason has been off television
for the last five years, but they have
been a very busy and productive
five years.
He wrote, produced and starred
in a Broadway play “A Teaspoon
Every Four Hours.” He also co
wrote and produced and starred in
the film “The Stoolie,” that was
directed by John Avildson of
“Rocky” fame.
Besides appearances in Las
Vegas and Reno, he is currently
taping a television talk show based
in Miami.
Jackie broke a long time of
family tradition when he decided
to turn from the rabbinate to
become a comic. He had actually
accepted a pulpit in North
Carolina just before deciding to get
into the profession of making
people laugh for a living.
In an interview with Jackie last
week he said that all three of his
brothers are practicing rabbis,
following in the tradition of his
father, Eli, who was also a rabbi.
“My brothers, Joseph, Bernard
and Gabriel are all pulpit rabbis in
New York and New Jersey,” he
said. ”1 am the youngest and it was
a very difficult and emotional
decision that I made when I
decided to become a comedian.
On Mother’s Day
DRIED & SILK A SPECIALTY
FRESH FLOWERS ’PLANTS ’FRUIT BASKETS
876-8425
METRO DELIVERY WIRE SERVICE
1397 N. Highland Ave N.E., Atlanta Ga.
OVER 70 SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES
Imaginal Tennis on 13 lighted professional court*, flatted by a ‘won
known Tennlt ‘Pro’ and 10 Instructors! Golf, on your own prtvata
nln* hole course! Riding on seven miles of trails spread over 525
acres of breattitaklngly beautiful scenery! A childrens paradise...25
sailboats, 3 motorboats, 4 Indoor Brunswick bowling lanes, canoe
trips, baseball, basketball, waterskiing, drama and dance, karate,
fencing, rocketry, ham radio, archery, photography, gymnastics!
and Go-Carts are Just some of the many fascinating activities
avallablel Ages 5-16. Fee Includes air fare allowance.
Our 43rd Year! under Weinberg family direction
Dietary Laws Observed Nationwide Enrollment
CALL OR WRITE FOR A BEAUTIFUL COLOR BROCHURE
yl* ATLANTA ASSOCIATE
Mrs. Sidney (Lee) Mendel
Tel., (404) 378-2881
STAFF INQUIRIES INVITED
Separate camps of distinction for Boys and Girls on beautiful Reflection
Lake in the picturesque Pocono Mountains of N.E. Pennsylvania.
£P©£©$>]©
WINTER OFFICE: 6528 Castor Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1914L
Phone: (215) 533 1557
Dinettes ^
BY LEONARD
3473 PEACHTREE RD„ N.E. ACROSS FROM PHIPPS PLAZA
HOURS: TUES.. WED.. FRI., 8 SAT. 10-6 e MON. & THURS. 10-9
Something for Every Member of the Family
“PASSPORT TO ISRAEL”
ATLANTA JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
SUNDAY, MAY 14th, 1978
10:00 A.M. thru 5:00 P.M.
come together for a day of FUN, FOOD and FESTIVITIES
in honor of ISRAEL’S 30TH BIRTHDAY
ISRAEL INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
“30 years young and still growing”
featuring:
ISRAELI SUPERMARKET - ENTERTAINMENT
DIZENGOFF STREET CAFE - EXHIBITS
SAFED ARTIST COLONY - GAN YELODIM
and MUCH, MUCH MORE
EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IS WELCOME
ADMISSION FREE
business Jackie changed his name
from Jack Maza to Jackie Mason.
He has also changed the
direction of his comedy into what
he says is “far more pointed and
anti-establishment than it used to
be.” He does a lot of routines about
Mix or match In
natural or walnut
Jackie Mason
current political and social issues.
About the tobacco industry: The
government supports the tobacco
growers and then spends millions
telling you not to smoke.
About women’s lib: They own
all the money and they’re still
complaining.
About junkets for Congress
men: They take your money and
junket.
About President Carter: If you
wonder why Carter is always
laughing, it’s because he can’t
believe he got the job.
Does Jackie Mason have any
regrets about leaving the rabbinate
to become a comic?
“Well. 1 do think about it still,”
he said. “I was the first member of
the family to break the string. In
our family to be a rabbi was
considered a holy heritage and a
blessing."
But isn’t it a blessing to be able
to make people laugh, he was
asked.
“Yes,” he replied, “but you've
got to be on your way to shul when
you are doing it.”
Children’s i «j
Birthday
Party
(Entertainment!
Sound color cartoons
for your child’s birth
day party. An exciting
way to entertain party
guests and give your
child a great party
treat.
292-2727
MANY FLOOR
SAMPLES
REDUCED FOR
CLEARANCE
LARGE SELECTION
OF CHROME, WROUGHT
IRON & WOOD GROUP
INGS MIX OR MATCH
WE REUPHOLSTER
KITCHEN & DINETTE
CHAIRS
Page 15 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE May 5, 1978