Alex Edelman's One Man Show JUST FOR US is for EVERYONE and a New Family Tradition

You don't have to be Jewish to love Alex Edelman's play JUST FOR US. But then, you don't have to be a white supremacist to attend and blend into their meetings. However, it can help with both.  Edelman wrote and stars in this hilarious and timely play which serves up empathy dosed with schmaltz (the good kind) and embedded with the true meanings of Christmas; a time of love, joy, healing and renewed strength.  Edelman engages the audience for the swiftly paced 90 minutes with a bravado, solo performance which is nothing short of miraculous and a cause for rejoicing.  Edelman turned his participation in a white supremacist meeting, where "I was finally told I don't belong and told to leave" into comedic genius.  Victor Borge wrote, "Laughter is the closest distance between two people." Alex put it another way, "It's harder to hate those up close." It's true, shared laughter often signals shared views, but it also enlightens and garners understanding.  In his UWS apartment, Alex read a notice for recruiting Neo-Nazi sympathizers to a meeting.  He thought it sounded like a good idea at the time for him attend "in order to learn something." Perhaps he considered the meeting as fodder for new material. As it turns out, it proves both prescient and relevant.  While laughter has the ability to ease tensions and breed tolerance, empathy has the power for healing.  Rapport is established with curiosity and validation for opposing views which may then foster understanding and mutual respect.  Alex infiltrated the gathering of 12 men and 5 women where these individuals spoke of their anger towards the interracial marriage of Harry and Meghan, the demise of Confederate statues, political correctness and the slow genocide of the white race which got blamed on the Jews. Oh boy! How is this funny? How did he get out without being hit? Alex did leave after being outed but he didn't leave empty handed. * Besides a free muffin, Alex left with sympathetic feelings towards those he met.  He did however question, "To what degree should empathies be extended?" Throughout, Alex craftily weaves levity from physical comedy, jokes, and stories of his family and his Yeshiva upbringing.  He muses about his Jewish identity without any sense of victimhood.  It's apparent empathy was instilled at an early age from loving parents. The first and only night his family celebrated Christmas and Santa was unforgettably funny.  Edelman termed his show "non-political and benign silliness."  He presented a cunning style for social scrutiny and clever storytelling that came full-circle. With an abundance of heart wrapped around every anecdote and adorned with a yarmulke wearing teddybear - what's not to love?  Can you believe one can find common ground with polar enemies?  Yes Virginia, there's always opportunities for dispensing with enmity and making miracles.  You never know, the world keeps changing.  JUST FOR US should be seen by everyone and become an annual, holiday tradition for families.   *Alex also left with a piece of the 1,200 word puzzle in hand, pinched from an elderly, anti-semite who just might smite him. Or, can you believe it... might just like him.