Claim to Fame: The Parrot Rebbe

P roud owner of 60-plus parrots ranging from huge macaws to tiny parakeets the Parrot Rebbe — whose real name is Rabbi Nochem Guber — has been giving shows with his birds for more than a decade. These beautiful birds and their owner have delighted audiences across New York State New Jersey and beyond. How did the show develop and how in the world did Rabbi Guber acquire so many birds?

“I always had animals — turtles fish birds ” explains Rabbi Guber a Bobover chassid who in regular life sells tashmishei kedushah (yarmulkes tzitzis and more) and makes tzitzis in his hometown of Monsey. “About 12 years ago my youngest daughter was learning alef-beis in kindergarten and the teacher asked if I could bring in a feigeleh (Yiddish for bird) for the letter pei. I said sure.

“As I was putting the birdcage in the car a neighbor saw me and asked where I was going thinking I was giving a show. I explained it was just for my daughter’s school and she said ‘I work in an afterschool program could you come to us too?’ One thing led to another and before long I had created a full performance.”

What makes the Parrot Rebbe’s show unique? Well for one thing all his birds understand Yiddish! “Not all parrots speak it’s a mistake to think that ” Rabbi Guber notes. “But the birds I own that do speak all speak in Yiddish and I give them their commands in Yiddish as well.”