A Jew Not So Much for Jesus

Here's an interesting lawsuit: Commedian Jackie Mason is suing Jews for Jesus for using his name and likeness without his permission:

Jackie Mason is suing Jews for Jesus, claiming the missionary group damaged him by using his name and likeness in a pamphlet.

"While I have the utmost respect for people who practice the Christian faith, the fact is, as everyone knows, I am as Jewish as a matzo ball or kosher salami," the 75-year-old comedian said in documents filed in state Supreme Court in Manhattan.

Founded in the 1970s, Jews for Jesus practices Judaism but regards Jesus as the Messiah.

The $2 million lawsuit seeks the immediate destruction of the pamphlets, which Jews for Jesus members have been handing out at various points around New York City.

The pamphlets feature an image of Mason next to the words "Jackie Mason ... A Jew for Jesus!?" with information inside that outlines the similarities between Jews and Christians.

"The pamphlet uses my name, my likeness, my `shtick' (if you will), and my very act, which is derived from my personality, to attract attention and converts," Mason said in an affidavit.

Susan Perlman, a spokeswoman for Jews for Jesus, said the pamphlet was "good-natured."

"Shame on him for getting so upset about this," she said Friday.

Sorry, Susan, but shame on your guys for using him without his permission. He has perfect right to sue and I can't blame him.

Mason is a very funny guy, and a very conservative guy. I've heard him interviewed many times on his views on the war and President Bush, and he's my kind of guy.

By the way, I had an experience with Jews for Jesus a few years ago. I wrote about it here.