Laugh in Peace Tour in St. Louis August 30
On August 30, the A World of Difference Institute presents “The Laugh in Peace Tour,” a comedy show featuring Rabbi Bob Alper, Reverend Jennifer Monroe-Nathans, and Azhar Usman, at the Pageant. The show is held as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of the A World of Difference Institute, a program of the Anti-Defamation League that provides anti-bias and diversity education programs for schools, universities, corporations and community law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and abroad.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. Please note there will be a $1 facility fee in addition to the price of tickets. For group sales, premium sponsorships and packets, please contact 314-721-1270 or st-louis@adl.org.
The A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute (History)
The A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute has spent the last 25 years dedicated to eradicating all forms of bias-motivated hatred. We accomplish that by confronting and counteracting all forms of racism and intolerance through education and community building. The St. Louis regional office, which covers Eastern Kansas, Missouri and Southern Illinois, is one of 30 offices nationwide.
Constantly striving to develop creative approaches to achieve a just society, in September, 1987, the A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute St. Louis Project was created to diminish acceptance of intolerance by equipping people with the knowledge and understanding needed to challenge prejudice and discrimination. The Institute has provided anti-bias education to schools, universities, corporations, community-based organizations and law enforcement agencies. Since its onset, it has successfully delivered training to more than 135,000 students and adults across Eastern Kansas, Missouri and Southern Illinois.
The Institute will always be indebted to the dynamic Steering Committee that was formed at the time it was initiated, to launch and support its initial run. The Danforth Foundation provided vision, leadership and funding. Fleishmann-Hilliard provided PR and Marketing support. The Steering Committee also included the late Mary Cannon from KMOV-TV, the late Greg Freeman and Dick Weiss from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Jim Buford and The Urban League, Bill Cornelius, then President of Civic Progress, Robert Cohn of the St. Louis Jewish Light, and the late Katherine Nelson. Little did they know that 25 years later, the Institute would still be going strong.
About the 25th Anniversary Commemoration
Appearing everywhere from The World Bank in Washington, DC, to the Palestinian Fest in Houston, Texas, and on campuses, synagogues and churches throughout the country, the Laugh in Peace Comedy Tour builds bridges and reconciles differences through humor. Imagine a Rabbi, a Minister and a Muslim comedian – it’s a punch line all by itself. The Laugh in Peace Comedy Tour has been called a stereotype-destroying comedy show that believes humor may be the quickest way to world peace. It’s a perfect way to celebrate the Institute’s 25 years of anti-bias, stereotype destroying work in the region. Rabbi Bob Alper and Rev. Jennifer Monroe-Nathans are “clergy who kill!” and Azhar Usman is perhaps the best known Muslim comedian in the world.
Rabbi Bob Alper
Bob’s unique background…he’s an ordained rabbi who served Congregations for fourteen years and holds a doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary. It prepared him well for a twenty-three year comedy career with wonderfully unique material presented in a way that’s hilarious, sophisticated, and 100% clean.
Reverend Jennifer Monroe-Nathans
Senior Pastor of the Church of Christ, Congregational, in Millis Massachusetts, has been performing stand-up at a variety of locations in New England and constantly tries out new material on her long suffering friends and family.
Azhar Usman
Azhar Usman is perhaps the world’s most famous American Muslim comedian. He was the subject of an entire episode of ABC’s Nightline, and was featured on CBS Sunday Morning. He hails from Chicago, with roots from the Indian subcontinent, and has performed throughout the US and in numerous foreign countries with the “Allah Made Me Funny” comedy tour.
Interfaith Partnership brings you this article for informational purposes only and its inclusion is not meant to imply sponsorship by IP or a shared belief in all the views expressed therein.