Gad Elmaleh speaks about his early childhood memories in camp Tzivot Hashem in Morocco

The Moroccan-French Comedian, whose fame spread to North America lately appearing on late-night shows in the US, has started his career from a Chabad camp in Morocco 30 years ago.

Speaking to a crowd during a stand-up show in Montreal, Gad recalled his memories in Camp Tzivot Hashem in Settat Morocco where he used to attend frequently to study Torah play and socialize with the Moroccan Jewish community.

According to Chabad.org, Gad Elmaleh cracked his first jokes in 1982 at the children’s camp which was organized by Rabbi Leib Raskin, Chabad Lubavitch emissary to Morocco for more than 44 years.

«Standing in the camp dining room one day, Elmaleh was regaling his friends with an impromptu 'Reb Leibel' act when the room suddenly fell silent. Turning around, the 10-year-old saw that the rabbi himself was approaching», the same source indicates.

The 10-year-old kid was part of the Moroccan Jewish community and was inspired by Raskin. After becoming a famous stand up comedian, Elmaleh paid tribute to his childhood memories in the camp and to the man who encouraged him as a child.