​Finding The Funny In Faith: Yohay Sponder Comes To The Parker

Now, after a sold-out tour across Europe, Sponder is bringing his latest show to The Parker on Sunday, June 15th, 2025 for what promises to be a night of laughter, reflection and unfiltered honesty. Initially slated for a single 7:00 p.m. performance, overwhelming demand prompted the addition of a second show at 9:30 p.m. — proof that Sponder's appeal is only growing.

Born and raised in Israel, Sponder first stepped onto the comedy scene over 20 years ago. He quickly carved out a niche with his disarming honesty, cultural commentary and a uniquely personal lens on the world. Along the way, he became a fixture on Israeli television and radio, producing and starring in popular programs, while also co-founding the long-running English-language comedy night Funny Monday in Tel Aviv — a rare and beloved space for English-speaking comics in Israel.

But it’s not just his home country that Sponder has conquered. From New York to Berlin, London to Los Angeles, he’s taken his distinctive humor international, attracting a growing legion of fans. His Social Media presence — packed with irreverent bits, behind-the-scenes footage and his thoughts on everything from politics to personal growth — has further cemented his global appeal.

His show, Self Loving Jew, marked a turning point — not just professionally, but personally. “This show is the most vulnerable I’ve ever been on stage,” Sponder admits. “It’s about how I learned to love myself after years of insecurity, self-doubt, and struggling with my identity as a Jew, as a man and as a comedian.”

Sponder walks a tightrope between the sacred and the profane. He unpacks the complexities of faith, cultural expectation and modern masculinity, often using himself as the punchline. In a time when comedy is increasingly under the microscope, Sponder’s unapologetic candor offers both relief and resonance.

“This isn’t just about being Jewish,” he explains. “It’s about anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider — anyone who’s ever questioned who they are, or tried to fit into a mold that didn’t quite work. It’s funny, yes, but it’s also real. And maybe that’s why people connect with it.”

And connect they do. The European leg of the tour sold out in multiple cities, often driven by word-of-mouth and viral clips from the show. Whether he’s riffing on childhood in a religious household, dating in the age of apps, or the ironic privilege of being a secular Jew who still gets nervous in church, Sponder finds the humor in moments of awkward truth.

Offstage, Sponder continues to be a producer and advocate for emerging voices in comedy, especially within the English-speaking scene in Israel. Through Funny Monday, he’s helped spotlight dozens of local and international comics, turning Monday nights in Tel Aviv into a must-see event for locals and tourists alike.

“I love building a stage for others,” he says. “Comedy isn’t a competition. It’s a conversation. And when we’re all talking — about race, religion, love, pain — we’re connecting in a way that goes beyond laughs.”

Despite his growing fame, Sponder remains grounded. He doesn’t see himself as a celebrity, but as a conduit. “People are going through hard times. Wars, inflation, uncertainty. If I can give them 90 minutes of escape — or better yet, 90 minutes that make them feel seen — then I’ve done my job.”

Yohay Sponder performs at The Parker on Sunday, June 15th, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are available now, but going fast.

Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of The Broward Center and The Parker. Buy tickets online at: www.ParkerPlayhouse.com - And www.Ticketmaster.com - By phone at: (954) 462-0222 And in person at the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office.

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 Southwest Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. Lillian S. Wells Hall at The Parker is located in Holiday Park at 707 Northeast Eighth Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304. The Parker is an affiliated venue of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, which provides programming and management of the facility.

The Broward Center 2024/2025 Season is supported by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation, AutoNation, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, Spirit and Nicklaus Children’s Health System.