A self-respecting Jew in Hollywood

By Danielle Berrin
Published on September 9, 2009

Rob Kutner is a veteran comedy writer for “The Daily Show” and author of the tongue-in-cheek “Apocalypse How” (Running Press, 2008). Having just returned to Los Angeles to work for “The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien,” he talks about being an observant Jew in Hollywood, why George W. Bush is more fun to write about than President Obama and why he doesn’t believe you ever really “make it” in Hollywood.

Armageddon Survival 101

By Jay Firestone
Published on July 31, 2008

"It starts when you open your eyes in the morning. Maybe you're awakened by the sounds of random gunfire, or the howling of souls being cast into the lake of fire," Kutner writes. "But at least it's not that godawful clock-radio buzzer."

Syndicating Purim

By Esther D. Kustanowitz
Published on February 22, 2007

"Everyone puts Purim on the calendar, but sometimes the spiel gets short shrift," says Rob Kutner, a staff writer for "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart."

Chanukah Calendar

By Rob Kutner
Published on December 2, 1999

When the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles celebrated the launch of its anti-illiteracy program KOREH Los Angeles in September, the focus was on educators and celebrities to read children's books to kids. Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the spotlight at that event were some local women who are equally vital in the campaign against illiteracy: the creators of the children's books themselves.

Couples Camp

By Rob Kutner
Published on December 2, 1999

It was 6:00 on a Friday evening. My wife, myself, and 50 complete strangers had just managed to light two candles, each on one tiny table, without burning ourselves. Our names, printed in a groovy font, glistened under the nametags hanging around our necks. We were sitting in a circle, introducing ourselves and saying what the experience reminded us of. Was it any surprise that two-thirds of us answered, "Camp?"

Healing’s Many Colors

By Rob Kutner
Published on September 23, 1999

Imagine the shock Temple Knesset Israel members felt when they came to Shabbat services five weeks ago and found scrawled on their wall, "Jews die" and a swastika. The Los Feliz congregation is largely elderly; many are Holocaust survivors.
A shock of a different sort awaited them last Saturday: scores of black and Latino teenagers and community leaders convened at the shul for a "Day of Healing."