Sandra Set For Dental Seder

By Erica Morris - Tuesday 7th April 2009


It seems it's not all slapstick and satire for American comedienne Sandra Bernhard, who is taking some time out this month from jokes and jests to do some Pesach preparations, ahead of a UK tour next month.

Speaking to the Jewish News this week, the 53-year-old funny woman shared her yom tov plans and also her views on the new Israeli prime minister who she deems 'despicable'.

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"We'll actually be at my daughter's dentist's home for first night Seder," said the legendary lesbian stand-up comic and sitcom star. "I'm not sure where we'll be for second night - we might go to our Chabad.

"Right now we're just working on getting all of the chametz out of the house, which is a big job, but I get my daughter involved and it's a lot of fun."

But it's not just at Pesach that Bernhard's big on Yiddishkeit. "I try to keep things spiritual in my house," she revealed, "but I'm not dogmatic about it. I do go to my synagogue every week to hear the Torah, and we keep Shabbat. I feel a very strong connection to Judaism, it's a big part of who I am."

It seems that connection extends to Israel as well. Bernhard said she has had an affinity with the Jewish state since living there when she was 19. "I spent time on the kibbutz and it was an amazing experience. I really fell in love with the country and it's something I would encourage all young people to try."
She also noted many fond memories celebrating Jewish holidays in her childhood home in Michigan."I grew up in a Jewish household and I think Jewish homes are very warm and inviting, so there was really no question that I would raise my daughter that way. I don't beat people over the head about my religion though - I think everyone has the right to practice how they want, but it's very much a part of our lives."

Those feelings of family spirituality have extended into adulthood, as Bernhard now shares Jewish learning and customs with her partner and young daughter.

"I'm going home right after the tour for my daughter's graduation [from primary school] and then we have to go the LA for my niece's batmitzvah," she said. "It's going to be really busy, but that's what life is all about."

Bernhard is no stranger to travel, flying to Tel Aviv in February to perform for the Holon Theatre Women's Festival, an event that saw the comedienne rubbing shoulders with Kadima leader Tzipi Livni. "The show was great," she said. "I got a really good reception from the audience. Tzipi Livni was there and she came backstage to hang out after. She is just an incredible woman and I really enjoyed spending time with her, I think she's just fantastic."

But the jokester had no warm feelings for Israel's newest PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, saying: "I think he's despicable, he didn't do us any favours last time and he won't do us any favours this time. I think most people are realising that what we need in Israel is a two-state solution, and he's not the person who will accomplish that."

• Sandra Bernhard: Without You I'm Nothing is at the Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, WC1 from 26 May to 5 June. Box office: 0844 847 2475.

Read the latest copy of The Jewish News Online by clicking here.

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