20 | NOVEMBER 7 • 2024 J N A lmost 40 years ago, Al Lubel took a bus from a small town in Texas, where he was work- ing the comedy circuit, to Oklahoma City for a prime gig. Lubel was going to be the opening act for fellow Jewish comedian Jerry Seinfeld. And the rest, as they say, is comic history. “We played racquetball every day at the gym that week. I still remember that he was ahead six games to five against me,” said Lubel with a laugh. “His thoughtful act inspired me to be a clean comedian, which you had to be to get on The Tonight Show.’” Six years later, Lubel’s dream came true when he performed his set on The Tonight Show, one of the last episodes for Johnny Carson. Lubel, the 1988 $100,000 Star Search Comedy Grand Prize winner, went on to perform six times on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and five times on The Late Show with David Letterman. He took home the Amused Moose Laughter Award at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Lubel’s bringing his witticism and plenty of Jewish anecdotes of growing up an only child to Adat Shalom at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17. Lubel will perform his “Still Laughing After All These Years” at a fundraiser for FRIENDS of Jewish Senior Life. STARTING OUT IN COMEDY Lubel received his undergrad and law degrees from the University of Miami in Florida and passed both the Florida and California bars. “I became a lawyer to please my Jewish mother,” says Lubel, who prac- ticed criminal law for two years in Newport Beach, Calif. “ And then I became a comedian to displease her.” Growing up in Queens, Lubel loved watching Carson and Don Rickles. “I was drawn to comedy — my mother, father and grandmother were all funny people, so there was always humor in the house,” Lubel recalled. When he was 19, Lubel saw the movie Lenny starring Dustin Hoffman as comedian Lenny Bruce. “ And that was the first time that I actually thought I’d like to become a comedian,” Lubel said. While at the University of Miami, Lubel bought some old Lenny Bruce albums at a record store. He memo- rized some of Bruce’s iconic mono- logues and performed them in an acting class. “I remember getting laughs and thinking, ‘Well, maybe, I can do this. I’m getting the same laughs that Lenny got with those jokes,’” said Lubel, who opted to “play it safe and get the law degree,” just in case. Lubel promises he’ll have some funny stories for the FRIENDS of Jewish Senior Life crowd on Nov. 17 about his short time as a criminal defense attorney. Lubel was living and doing comedy in England when COVID hit and he had to return to L.A. For a few years prior, producer/editor/director Joshua Edelman followed Lubel on the road, chronicling Lubel’s highs and lows — including going on welfare and food stamps — of being a comedian. Edelman released Mentally Al, a full-length documentary that can be screened on Prime Video. Many top comedians, including Sarah Silverman, Kevin Nealon and Judd Apatow provide insight to Lubel’s creativity. “He’s crazy, funny and an original thinker,” said Nealon. “He’s just hilarious,” added Silverman. But for Lubel, he never cared about fame, he said. “I can keep getting better. I’m proud of the act.” Comedian Al Lubel to headline for FRIENDS of Jewish Senior Life fundraiser. Did You Hear the One About the Funny Lawyer? JULIE SMITH YOLLES CONTRIBUTING WRITER OUR COMMUNITY DETAILS “Still Laughing After All These Years” Fundraiser planned by FRIENDS of Jewish Senior Life takes place Sunday, Nov. 17, at 2 p.m. at Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills. There is a $75 minimum donation (includes show, refreshments and valet parking) to attend. Sponsorships are also available. Buy tickets at https:// jslmi.org/events/jsls-lives-well- lived or contact Beth Robinson: brobinson@jslmi.org or (248) 592- 5062. Contact Raymond Jenkins 33700 Woodward Ave. • Between 14 Mile & Adams • Birmingham, MI If you are not wearing it… sell it!... or BORROW on it! You can’t enjoy jewelry if it’s sitting in your safe deposit box. Sell or borrow on it for immediate cash. We deal in jewelry, watches, diamonds and coins. A Service to Private Owners, Banks & Estates 33700 Woodward Ave. • Between 14 Mile & Adams • Birmingham, MI 248-644-8565 Coins & Jewelry If you are not wearing it… sell it!... We deal in jewelry, watches, diamonds and coins. Let Old Friends be your Michigan-Florida Connection Keyes Real Estate Keyes Real Estate Estate Property Sales from Listing to Clean-Out! BUY • SELL • INVEST Throughout South Florida, Including Boca, Boynton, Delray, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties Nina Spinner-Sands NinaSpinner-Sands@keyes.com (954) 290-8293 Rita Morse RitaMorse@keyes.com (305) 609-7559