This is why I converted to Judaism — to be a part of such courage and commitment. It’s events like these that make me proud to be Jewish. <\/p>\n
From the Jewish Journal<\/a>: <\/p>\n The actor\u2019s belated coming-of-age ceremony was a prelude to what may have been one of the biggest mitzvah projects in history, serving as a massive fundraiser for Hilarity for Charity, a movement led by comedian, actor and frequent Franco collaborator Seth Rogen to inspire change and raise awareness of Alzheimer\u2019s disease among the millennial generation. This is why I converted to Judaism — to be a part of such courage and commitment. It’s events like these that make me proud to be Jewish. From the Jewish Journal: The actor\u2019s belated coming-of-age ceremony was a prelude … Continue reading
\nA sold-out Oct. 17 variety show-style event at the Hollywood Palladium, which has a capacity of 4,000 people, was a hot ticket and included a performance by Miley Cyrus. In a phone interview with the Journal after the event, \u201cConan\u201d writer Rob Kutner, who wrote material for the event, said Franco referenced the week\u2019s Torah portion (Noach) in his speech, saying that as he\u2019s only now become a man, he shouldn\u2019t be held accountable for anything he did before. (Franco is known for some eccentric behavior, especially in social media.)
\nAnother segment featured Rogen requiring Franco to have a \u201ccircumcision.\u201d It was performed by actor Jeff Goldblum (going by the moniker \u201cRabbi Jeff Goldblum\u201d), and \u2014 in a bit Kutner came up with \u2014 actor Zac Efron played Franco\u2019s about-to-be-severed foreskin, uttering its last words, which included, \u201cWhile you have the mohel, why don’t you have him cut away some of your eyelids so you can finally see?” referring to the star\u2019s famously squinty smirk.
\nMalina Saval, an editor for Variety who was covering the event, called it \u201cspirited, sweet and meaningful in places that one would not necessarily expect.\u201d
\n\u201cThe crowd rocked out and danced the horah to Haim’s guitar-heavy rendition of ‘Havah Nagilah,’ Seth Rogen, dressed as Tevye, sparked a sense of nostalgia for anyone who grew up starring in their Hebrew school production of the play [\u201cFiddler on the Roof\u201d] and over $2 million was raised for Hilarity for Charity, which provides care and support for those suffering from Alzheimer\u2019s. Talk about tikkun olam!” she told the Journal via email.
\nWhile the event was a spectacle of a fundraiser, it also proved to be a chance for Franco \u2014 whose mother is Jewish \u2014 to connect to a tradition that he never really felt a part of before, according to Mayer (aka Rabbi Brian). Two weeks before the media-filled fundraiser, the actor stood with the rabbi in front of a Torah and chanted in Hebrew and English before a small crowd of people from Franco\u2019s production company.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"