Hasidic Actor Walks Off Natalie Portman Movie

First he couldn't hold Natalie Portman's hand - and now a Williamsburg Hasidic Jew-turned-actor has to give up his chance to hit it big in a Hollywood movie. Abe Karpen, 25, a married father of three, was cast as Portman's husband in "New York I Love You," a film composed of 12 short stories about love in the five boroughs. "I am backing out of the movie," said Karpen, a kitchen cabinet salesman. "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. "I have my kids in religious schools and the rabbi called me over yesterday and said in order for me to keep my kids in the school I have to do what they tell me and back out," Karpen said. While news of Karpen's withdrawal sent waves of disappointment through the movie set, the Hasidic community was up in arms over Karpen's acting gig - forcing him to flee for the weekend, a friend said. Keep reading how "the community wants to kill him" -or- See the photos of Karpen and Portman filming that caused the uproar -or- See photos of Portman made up for an Indian wedding, also from the film

Comments

[mamazboy]

These idiots need to grow up. Childish shit on the part of the "noble rabbis."

[escobar]

With all the people trying to get work in show biz, why bother with this fellow?
Patronage is common.
The job is called...A­CTING, not directing or writing.
He should go about his business as he sees fit.
Good luck to him as he limits his marketability.
He will find something he can stomach.

[marcain]

Their disapproval is just jealousy masked behind religiosity. Be a rebel, Abe Karpen, and don't be a slave to their opinion. You're doing nothing immoral. Religion and families can oppress artistic expression. They are merely jealous. I hope you read this.

[Lulie Kushner]

I agree... what a rare opportunity to express himself through this art. Why does religion get in the way of someone pursuing his or her dreams. Imagine if everyone conceded to old traditions simply because it's the way things have been done year after year without anyone questioning their value or purpose. What is he going to teach his children? Be afraid for what others may say... or follow your heart and free yourself to share the gifts that have been bestowed on you. Otherwise, we would never have had the great philosophers, artists, writers etc... ABE WAKE UP, BABE... THIS IS A LIFE CHANGING MOMENT FOR YOU. DON'T LET OTHER PEOPLE'S FEARS MAKE YOU AFRAIND TO DO WHAT MAKES YOUR HEART SING.

[gmknobl]

"I'm sorry, I must leave a job I love because other people are making prejudice threats against me and taking action against my children who have nothing to do with my actions."

It's really sad to see this type of thing happen in any time or place. Really, shouldn't they already see him and by extension his whole family as unclean because he's acting with a non-believer? ;-) Such ignorance and prejudice is always appalling?

Of course, to say that all people who follow any part of Judeo-Christian theology are women haters is equally as stupid and prejudice. If you look at what Jesus tried to do, it was not misogynistic and might actually have been quite egalitarian towards women, even in todays time. But His words have been so twisted now, it's hard to say what really happened.

Just remember this, the crux of His message is "be nice to one another." If you aren't, you're probably violating the spirit of His words. Clearly, his Rabbi wasn't being nice or someone wasn't being nice to the kids forcing the Rabbi to get rid of the kids to protect them, but I doubt that just on the basis of the power the Rabbis tend to hold. So to is saying all "Jews, Christians and Muslims are women haters" being mean spirited and not being nice. But then again, if you don't believe in Jesus at all, maybe that makes it all right to be mean to people too?

[PigsOnSoma]

Jewish folk have a slightly different relationship with Jesus than Christian folk do.

[Jo]

If by "slightly different relationship with Jesus" you mean NO RELATIONSHIP AT ALL, you'd be right about "Jewish folk."
Sheesh, it's mind boggling - the number of people posting here and expounding on other peoples' religion and, yet, know absolutely nothing about the subject!! Double sheesh! If VivaZapata is right and "intolerance and ignorance dance together and usually to religious strains" there's an out 'n out hoedown going on here.

[Toonadude]

I hate when this happens. Now I have to cancel my vacation to Cabo.

[lanceomatic]

When are people going to wake up and abandon ALL ancient mythologies? This is another example of the misogynistic lunacy that is part and parcel of the Abrhamic cults of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Ever since the myth of Eve causing the downfall of man, women have been relegated as property of men. What I suggest to Abe Karpen is to grow up, and look at the reality of the universe, and see that ancient superstitions are in place only as a controlling force. I do find it disturbing though that he has already had three children by 25. What is his wife's age? Is all that she is is a baby factory?

[acudoc]

Three children by twenty-five is some kind of crime? Who are you to judge?

[gd7277467]

Perhaps because said wife is 15 years old at 1st birth ?

Never Mind !!!

[dogman44]

When the purpose of having children is to provide soldiers for future religious war
it is all of our concern. Just like the fundimentalist crits.

[sculptor]

We as a species seem to be able to pull these fantasies out of thin air and propagate them for millenia so I'd not be so hasty as to blame any one particular "spiritual" garden path. I conclude from this that the driving force of all religions is a genetic imperative and therefore humanity is doomed to be forever blighted by this type of cultural insanity.

[Guitarsandmore]

Central control fails again!

[StrayTalk]

No problem, I understand Gary Busey despite his busy schedule, has freed up some time and is ready and willing to dive in and tackle this challenging role. Please contact his agent /cousin ASAP.

Thank You

[jeffd]

Wait a moment; I thought the role required an "actor", which presumes intelligence and talent, in at least measurable quantities?

[Hephaestion]

Religions that tell people what to do are not religions. They are brainwashing scams.

[WriterGuy]

Name religions that DON'T tell people what to do... Or was that your point?

[marcain]

Their disapproval is just jealousy masked behind religious fundamentalism. Be a rebel, Abe Karpen, and don't be a slave to their opinion. You're doing nothing immoral. Religion and families can oppress artistic expression. They are merely jealous. I hope you read this.

[letsgetsmart]

Fashion changes. The things you do changes. I am no longer a long hair that paints floral patterns on vans.Some have a hard time with changes. We still have cowboys for some reason. A lot of people wear certain kinds of clothes because of the weather such as the Arabs. Those flowing robes are cooler. Most of the people that you see with the same kinds of clothes are military or law enforcement. Some professions require a uniform. What is the purpose for the look that this guy has?

[MetalCanuck]

What an idiot.

[tsloan]

everything in moderation­...includi­ng religion.

[Huffyfan]

bongwater
Has it ever occured to you that what you consider the fun that Life has to offer , has no meaning for them , since they are happy with what their faith has to offer them. think about it . Yes you can be secular , and be happy what material life has to offer but may be they Are Happier with that their faith has to offer them . if you are truly secular , then you should respect their faith and allow them that kind of happiness too .

[SouthJerseySteve]

Funny, I thought this was a story about a sequel to the movie Witness (see, I have family in Amish Pennsylvania and the Amish look like Hasidic Jews and.... oh never mind....).