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Comedian Max Olesker turns painful Orthodox conversion into stage show
Comedian Max Olesker has turned the difficult process of converting to Orthodox Judaism into a stage show and memoir. He says the conversion, which was required for him to marry his Orthodox Jewish fiancée, caused deep distress and put strain on their relationship.
Olesker, 38, had considered himself Jewish, but the rabbinical court did not recognise his mother’s conversion to a less rigorous branch. The process included an adult circumcision and long delays, while his father was living with dementia and his fiancée’s grandmother was in her 90s. His 60-minute show, *Making the Cut*, draws on journals he kept during the experience and explores the varied, sometimes painful ways people relate to Jewish identity.
In short
- Olesker’s conversion to marry his fiancée involved adult circumcision.
- He says the process caused anguish and strained their relationship.
- His 60-minute show turns the experience into personal comedy.
Explained simply
Orthodox Judaism is one of the more traditional branches of Jewish religious practice, with its own rules for recognising someone as Jewish. A person whose family has ties to another branch may find that their Jewish identity is not accepted by an Orthodox religious authority.
Max Olesker is a comedian who wanted to marry his Orthodox Jewish fiancée. The rabbinical court overseeing the process did not recognise his mother’s conversion, so Olesker had to undergo a conversion himself.
The story touches on how religious institutions define belonging, and how those definitions can affect family life and personal relationships. Jewish people and communities have varied connections to religion, heritage and identity.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by The Guardian as “My fiancee, my foreskin and me: the comic who turned adult circumcision into a jaw-dropping show”.