Local doctor bringing his unique style to Philly Fringe Festival

AGE:
57
FAMILY:
Wife Caryn; and children Jamie (29),
Mishy (28), Jake (25) & Zara (21)
SYNAGOGUE:
Chabad in Cherry Hill
HOBBIES:
Gardening, working out, and playing
practical jokes
FAVORITE FOOD:
"Anything my wife cooks or serves."

Leon Rosenberg would like you to save the world. In fact, he would like a lot of people to save the world—and he will help.

A prominent Cherry Hill psychiatrist, Rosenberg will hypnotize an entire audience into becoming James Bond-like heroes saving the world from destruction. Rosenberg is the creator, producer and narrator of "What Fiup?" a one-man show at the upcoming Philadelphia Fringe Festival. "What Fiup?" is an expression of Rosenberg's own invention. It is short for "What for goodness sake is up?" Show dates are Sept. 9, 14, and 16 at the Clef Club, 736-738 South Broad St. Shows start at 8 p.m., and tickets are $15.

Despite the fact that Rosenberg is using his hypnosis techniques at the Philly Fringe Festival, it is serious business for the Harvard graduate originally from Oceanside, Long Island. He regularly uses hypnosis at his offices in Cherry Hill (The Center for Emotional Fitness) and Galloway Township.

"It's not a regular part of psychiatric practice, but it is a part of mine," said Rosenberg of hypnosis. He said that it is a great technique to get people "into the zone" and to feel great about themselves. "It's very relaxing and improves your mood."

Rosenberg has been known to use hypnosis on people sitting next to him on airplanes. "I like helping people. I'll hypnotize the person next to me to boost their confidence."

Rosenberg has also succeeded in combining his practice of hypnosis with his love for sports. He is the hypnotist/sports therapist for the Harvard Men's Ice Hockey Team. He said that two years in a row, he has helped the team come out of serious losing streaks. "When I hypnotize them, it helps them play." He added that he would love to get a part-time job using his techniques with the Eagles, Flyers, or Sixers.

Doing a show at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival occurred to Rosenberg several years ago. He was at the Fringe Festival, and said to himself, "I can do this."

When it comes right down to it, there is not much Rosenberg feels he can't do. He is a highenergy person with a lot of confidence. He keeps up a rigorous work schedule, participates in 100-mile bike rides, and is working on several medical patents.

"I have no sense of my age. I still think of myself as 18 or 21, and I have boundless energy," he said. He'll need a lot of that energy as two of his four children, all of whom attended Kellman Brown Academy, are getting married this fall. .