Last week I went to see the movie Bruno, starring Jewish comedic superstar Sasha Barron Cohen. Before the film started a trailer for the movie Funny People came on…and I nearly plotzed. There on the big screen was Seth Rogen wearing the Super Jew T-Shirt  that we carry at Pop Judaica. It seems like it wasn’t too long ago that Jews in Hollywood (and elsewhere) were changing their Jewish last names, whereas the Jewish stars of today are wearing their Judaism proudly on their sleeves, or should I say tees?

Actor Jeremy Piven is often seen sporting a Star of David necklace (he even wore it in a Gap ad campaign) Even the non-Jews are getting in on the act.  Madonna and Demi’s interest in kabbalah is old news already, but word has it that Britney Spears, who was spotted wearing a Star of David last week, is considering converting to Judaism – and not the kabbalah kind. (I’m not sure I’m falling for this rumor though–the same thing happened when Lindsay Lohan wore a Star of David necklace when dating Samantha Ronson) Publicity ploy or the real thing?  What do you think of the Hollywood’s embrace of all things Jewish and Jewish Star?

A few weeks ago we reported that Natalie Portman was adding “Designer” to her resume with the debut of a line of shoes in conjunction with fashion house Te Casan. Well this renaissance woman will now be making her directorial debut with a screen adaptation of “A Tale of Love and Darkness,” Amos Oz’s memoir of growing up in Jerusalem in the ’40s and ’50s. Word has it that the film will be made in Hebrew, so you don’t know Hebrew, now is a good time to learn!

A few years back we had the pleasure of meeting Dmitiry “Star of David” Salita, a religious Jew and undefeated Junior Welterweight boxing champion. (Talk about someone who defies stereotypes!) The story of Salita’s life is a fascinating one, and is documented in the new film Orthodox Stance which opens today at the Cinema Village in NYC. Rumor has it that rapper M&M will also be playing Salita in a feature film version of the boxer’s life story.