If you’ve spent more than five minutes watching a shirtless guy scream about Russian mobsters, you probably know Bert Kreischer. He’s the guy who somehow turned a college trip to Russia into a lifelong career as "The Machine." But lately, a different question has been popping up in Reddit threads and podcast comments: is Bert Kreischer Jewish?
People ask because Bert’s world is, well, very Jewish-adjacent. He lives in Los Angeles. He works in an industry where Jewish culture is woven into the fabric of the comedy scene. His best friend and podcast partner, Tom Segura, frequently riffs on cultural tropes. Even his wife, LeeAnn, hosts podcasts where she deep-dives into religious traditions.
So, let's get into the weeds on this. Honestly, the answer isn’t a simple "yes" or "no" because Bert is Bert, and he’s spent his life telling stories that blur the lines between reality and performance.
The Florida Catholic Upbringing
Despite the rumors, Bert Kreischer was not raised Jewish. He was born Albert Charles Kreischer Jr. in St. Petersburg, Florida, and grew up in Tampa. His father, Al Kreischer, was a successful real-estate attorney, and his mother worked in early childhood development.
The family was very much Catholic. Bert didn't just attend a regular school; he went to Jesuit High School of Tampa. If you know anything about Jesuit education, it’s intense. It’s heavy on discipline and, usually, a fair amount of "Catholic guilt"—something Bert has joked about for decades.
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He’s explicitly stated in interviews, including a notable sit-down with Fatherly, that he grew up in that tradition. "I grew up Catholic and still feel a lot of Catholic guilt," he once said. That’s a sentiment that many people from religious backgrounds can relate to, even if they aren’t practicing anymore.
Why People Think Bert Kreischer is Jewish
If he was a Catholic kid from Florida, why is the internet so convinced otherwise? It mostly comes down to a few specific things:
- The Maternal Lineage Mystery: Recently, Bert has hinted at discovering a deeper Jewish ancestry on his mother's side. In late 2025, during some public discussions and social media posts, he alluded to uncovering family secrets that pointed toward a Jewish heritage he wasn't aware of growing up.
- The "Rabbi Bert" Persona: He’s leaned into the bit. On various podcasts, like Good Guys with Josh Peck (who actually is Jewish), Bert has jokingly referred to himself as "Rabbi Bert." He’s talked about how he "wanted to be Jewish" twice in his life—once around Bar Mitzvah age because he was jealous of the parties and the "grind line" of gifts his friends were getting.
- Comedy Circles: His proximity to Jewish culture in the stand-up world is massive. When you spend your days with guys like Tom Segura, Ari Shaffir, and Jeff Ross, you’re going to pick up the lingo. Bert uses Yiddish phrases and leans into certain storytelling tropes that feel very "old school New York comic," even though he’s a Florida frat boy at heart.
That Hitler’s Teacup Incident
You can’t talk about Bert and the Jewish community without mentioning the infamous gift from Tom Segura. On an episode of 2 Bears, 1 Cave, Tom "gifted" Bert a teacup that supposedly belonged to Adolf Hitler.
It was a dark, absurd joke intended to play on Bert’s chaotic energy and his occasional (accidental) association with controversial topics. The reaction from the Jewish community was mixed—some found it hilarious, others were understandably less than thrilled. Bert's panicked reaction to the gift is now legendary, as he desperately tried to explain he didn't want the thing. It highlighted just how much Bert cares about his public perception within the Jewish community, even if he isn't officially "in the club."
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His Wife LeeAnn and Their Family Life
Another reason for the confusion is Bert’s wife, LeeAnn Kreischer. While she isn't Jewish—she was born in Bowdon, Georgia—she is incredibly open and curious about all religions. On her podcast, Wife of the Party, she’s had episodes specifically titled "Orthodox Judaism with Kendra," where she spends over an hour learning the nuances of Shabbat and Kosher laws.
As for their kids, Georgia and Ila, they aren’t being raised in any formal religious tradition. Bert has been vocal about the fact that while he’s "ten times more religious" than anyone else in his family (mostly in a spiritual, semi-Christian sense), LeeAnn isn't religious. They’ve chosen to let their daughters find their own path.
The Verdict on Bert's Identity
So, let's look at the facts. By birth and upbringing, Bert Kreischer is Catholic. However, identity is a weird thing, especially as you get older and start looking into DNA tests and old family rumors.
If Bert has indeed discovered Jewish ancestry on his mother's side, that technically makes him Jewish by certain traditional standards (matrilineal descent). But culturally? He’s a guy who loves cigars, beer, and telling stories with his shirt off. He identifies as a guy who grew up Catholic but has a deep, slightly envious respect for the community and tradition of Judaism.
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Basically, he’s a "Jew-ish" fanboy with a possible genetic link he's still figuring out.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're trying to keep track of the ever-evolving lore of The Machine, here is what you actually need to know:
- Don't take the "Rabbi" bit literally. It's a comedy bit. Bert loves the culture, but he hasn't converted.
- Watch the "Lucky" special on Netflix. He touches on family history and his father Al (who was played by Mark Hamill in The Machine movie) in ways that clarify his actual upbringing.
- Check out LeeAnn’s podcast. If you want the real, non-performative version of their family life, Wife of the Party is where the actual truth usually comes out.
Bert is a storyteller. Part of his charm is that he’s always searching for a "thing" to belong to, whether it's a Russian mob, a frat house, or a religious heritage. For now, he remains the world's most famous "Catholic-guilt-ridden" shirtless comedian who might just have a few Jewish branches on his family tree.