The last time Jerry Seinfeld visited Israel was in 2007 to promote The Bee Movie, and now the legendary comedian is headed back—this time to do stand-up. In December, Seinfeld will visit the Holy Land as part of his world tour during which he’ll perform new material, reported The Jerusalem Post. “All material is Jewish,” Seinfeld said in an interview with Israel’s Channel 2. “All of it. Everything I’ve ever said is Jewish. When you’re Jewish, everything you say is Jewish, so don’t worry about it.”
In the same interview, Seinfeld’s performance on his eponymous show was described as that of a self-identified hiloni (meaning, “secular”), whose humor is marinated in homegrown Jewishisms. Channel 2’s promotional video for Seinfeld’s pilgrimage included scenes from his Internet show, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, where he has been accompanied by fellow comedians, including Larry David, Bob Einstein, Gad Elmaleh, Sarah Silverman, Seth Meyers, Howard Stern, Robert Klein, Jon Stewart, and Amy Schumer.
In another fun moment, Seinfeld was asked what symbolic vehicle he would choose for Benjamin Netanyahu were the Israeli Prime Minister to join him on the show. “The man needs a tank,” Seinfeld said, “he needs some kind of protection.” And when Seinfeld was asked why he’s never performed stand-up in Israel before, the comedic genius answered in a very nonchalant and completely Seinfeldian manner: “Well now is when I can come, so that’s why I’m coming.” (Seinfeld has actually visited Israel in the past, once serving as a volunteer on a kibbutz.)
Tickets have already sold out for two of Seinfeld’s shows at Tel Aviv’s Menorah Mivtachim Arena (just in time for the Festivus holiday). More shows may still be added. If his fans are not able to secure tickets, they may have to resort to desperate measures, which Seinfeld surely knows a thing or two about.
Hannah Vaitsblit is an intern at Tablet.
