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Not many people would leave a role as Natalie Portman's husband in a film, but Williamsburg resident Abe Karpen has to do just that. Karpen, who is a Hasidic Jew, told the Daily News, "It's not acceptable in my community. It's a lot of pressure I am getting. They [the rabbis] didn't like the idea of a Hasidic guy playing in Hollywood."
Portman and Karpen had been filming a short called "Kosher Vegetarian" for New York, I Love You, which will include 12 short films about love in the Big Apple. Karpen was asked to hold Portman's hand but refused, "It's against our religion. You can't even hold your wife's hand on the street."
A rabbi also told him his kids would be kicked out of their schools if he continued to film his role, so Karpen, a kitchen cabinet salesman, is kissing his silver screen dreams good-bye. He and his family left the city for the weekend (a friend said, "The community wants to kill him").
One Hasidic acitvist told the News, "We don't watch television. We don't go to the movies, so to be in a movie is the worst thing. It's a shame for any Hasid." This is probably why the Law & Order: SVU episode involving the Hasidic community had actors wearing, as Television Without Pity put it, "really junky-looking fake beards...it looks like they raided a ZZ Top cover band's tour bus."
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ouch. This is really going to eat away at his soul once he's back in the showroom selling cabinetry.
this conservative of a religion is a bit ludicrous
Who do they think they are the freaking Amish?
Those Brooklyn Cowboys are crazy zealots.
The guy is nuts.
I would gladly hold Natalie Portman's hand. She is so beautiful.
insular society much?
and we're shocked that saudis don't let women drive? Isn't it time we did away with religion?
you sure that's not Matthew Broderick?
I recall the last movie where hasids were the main focus, anyone remember A stranger among us?
A question for my fellow normal (secular humanist) Jews... the ones who can only be bothered to celebrate holidays when they involve bland food and not services:
Do you relate to these clowns? I mean, honestly?
I guess it would be similar if the guy was Amish.
The Amish would Kill him for holding hands, too?
It sounds pretty evil to pick on the children. What kind of "support" does this community provide, at a time when they need it most?
Wow - this is really disappointing to read. Why wouldn't the Hasidic Jewish community support this man and this movie as long as it was portraying the religion in a respectful light. Many people outside of this strict sect of the Jewish religion don't understand it which prompts narrow-minded comments (like SOME of those above).
I wish Karpen would have received support from his religion and community and allowed to participate in the movie. #12 it really is disappointing that his children were almost kicked out of school. The communities' and rabbis' behavior seems just cruel which sheds a poor light on the religion and the people themselves.
What's this, movies are the Established Faith to which everyone must submit? When did this happen?
I'm sure I'm not the only one bored with reading about the Hasids.
It must be an easy life, incidentally. Just do whatever the rabbi says; never think, and don't ever bring attention to yourself. That really sounds like a sound basis for a content, long-lasting society.
Whoa, what's with knocking the Hasids? If this guy really wanted to hold Natalie Portman's hand he could leave the community. These people choose to live by rules, norms and mores that a lot of us don't understand, but that's their choice. He's a member of the community, and if he wants to continue to be a part of it he's just going to respect his community's wishes. Save the vitriol for the Christian jackasses that try force their beliefs on the rest of the society, not just their own adherents.
"We don't watch television. We don't go to the movies, so to be in a movie is the worst thing. It's a shame for any Hasid."
we just sell jewels and electronics.
2008 and there are still people who call this a faith?
Hypocritical fools.
give everyone a break Hasids!
Extremists of any sort (political, national, ethnic, orientation, etc.) are a festering boil on the butt of the rational tolerant mind.
I'll tolerate 'em, but I can still think they're ridiculous.
you should show those hasids the movie "CLOSER" where Natalie portman does a spread eagle and shows her crotch or her in hotel chevalier where she is butt naked. That'll turn em around. hot piece of jew ass wasted on jews.
Sorry, she's a smart gal but I've always found her head way too big for her petite frame...
I agree with Solidago, at least the Jews don't try to force their religion on others like the christians do. And while I don't agree with the beliefs of this religion, I think the world don't move to the beat of just one drum, what might be right for you might not be right for some - if they want to be repressed then let them, why does anyone else care? As long as no one's getting hurt and members are free to leave the community, I don't see a problem. Some people prefer to live their lives with strict traditions and it's their choice.
So if he worked at B&H he could sell you everything you needed to make a movie but he can't be in one?
When during certain times of the year the 'Sids can be seen walking around Midtown asking men (who look a bit Jewish) if they're Jewish (I look a bit semetic, as I am), I reply ... "yes, but not your kind". What is it they want from me? Why do they bother me?
How does the Hasidic community know that this man was going to be in a movie if they don't read newspapers or use the Internet or watch TV or movies?
Is it "modest" for a rabbi to impose rules on a family as if he were a god? This isn't Sanhedrin times. I thought only god's word was law.
What do the kids have to do with anything? Does this same rabbi sanction the community wanting to "kill" this guy and forcing him out for the weekend?
If Hasidic Jews don't watch movies, then how would they know he was in a movie and want to kill him? I'll grow one of those ridiculous beards down to my knees if I get to get in on with Natalie Portman.
Thank you Solidago for refraining to crucify us chassids like most of you. I am a Born and Bred chassid and it bothers me to read the way you make fun of us. Being part of an ultra orthodox community and enjoying it's many benefits comes with a price. You have to adhere to the rules set by the rabbis and schools. So if the school forbids watching any movies, and the father of some of the children attending the school actually acts on one, what kind of a message would that be sending to these young kids?
Just so that you should know, many many people in the community watch movies and even have television. But at least they have the decency to do it in private so no one knows. And their children don't get hurt. Now I'm not sure that the right thing here was to throw out the kids, but I can at least understand why they thought this would send the right message.
Besides,(for those of you calling us the amish)I don't know of any leader or rabbi in our communities involved in prostitution rings, and you haven't heard of a single shooting ever in a chassidic school. So I guess we are doing something right huh? Or maybe the amish don't use any guns.........
Wow, what a bunch of prejudiced, intolerant jerks you all are! I guess you are saying that this behavior is ok for Amish but not for Jews? If they want to authentically portray the Hasidim in a film, why shouldn't the director listen to the experts on it anyway? That is only one of the reasons why these movies are so stupid and the Rabbi advises them to stay away from it.
So they're ripping off "Paris, Je T'aime." Are the ultra-Orthos more angry about the inappropriateness of the movie or the terrible sin of Hollywood's repackaging of anything good into something more crappy?
How does the "community" feel about Matisyahu? This is stupid.
"I don't know of any leader or rabbi in our communities involved in prostitution rings, and you haven't heard of a single shooting ever in a chassidic school. So I guess we are doing something right huh?"
actually... (I am going to preface this by saying people should do whatever makes them happy except when its a little self righteous and holier-than-thou...so here goes)
I have seen Hasidic men in gay bars. Not once or twice but a shocking amount of times. I'm pretty sure that would be frowned upon.
I have seen them at loft parties in Williamsburg and Bed-Stuy dressed in what they considered to be 'civilian' clothing to 'blend in'. Talking to girls and asking questions and definitely ogling legs.
Im guessing that being in a movie would be less of a problem than either of the above scenarios.
So maybe you don't have any civic leaders in sex scandals (and if you did the stories would never see the light of day) but don't pretend that everything is perfect when you know its not.