Things are apparently serious enough between Lindsay Lohan and girlfriend Samantha Ronson for Lindsay to be considering converting to Judaism, Ronson’s faith. From the Daily Mail:
Although raised a Catholic, the 22-year-old star announced she was planning to change her faith on her Facebook page. After jetting into London last week, Lindsay joined girlfriend Samantha at the Bar Mitzvah of the DJ’s half-brother Joshua Ronson at the Westminster Synagogue on Saturday.
…Entering the synagogue, a photographer asked Lindsay if she was switching religions, to which she replied: ‘I’m trying.’ Updating her Facebook status this week, Lindsay wrote ‘I’m converting’.
Lindsay’s change of religion is sure to surprise her family, who come from a long line of Catholics.
I am generally not the kind of Jew who swoons over celebrity Members of the Tribe (excluding you, Natalie Portman!), but this is a big “get” for our team (not that anyone’s counting).
On a more serious note, perhaps the news can spark some important conversations about the role of religion in interfaith same-sex relationships. The Jewish world is perennially worried (some would say fixated) on the issue of intermarriage, but the same arguments about Jews marrying, or even dating, outside of their faith can and should apply to gay and lesbian couples. Rabbis, educators, communal leaders, and certainly parents make the argument that it’s vital for a family to share a set of values, raise kids in a single tradition, and share a single sense of identity and lifestyle–in short, that the culture clash of intermarriage is bad for the relationship, bad for the kids, bad for our people. Personally, I would challenge each of those points, but do any of those arguments not apply to same-sex couples (especially as more and more of them have kids)? It would certainly seem so. Not surprisingly, you don’t hear much on this from the organized Jewish world. If Lindsay and Samantha spark some of this debate, all the better.
As for me, I say to Lindsay, Welcome aboard! It’s nice to have you. We hope you stick around for a while. And if things don’t work out with Samantha, I am sure a million bubbes will suggest you give their granddaughters a call.
posted March 2, 2009 at 1:34 pm
This is a disaster, and I am starting a drive to find another religion for Lohan to convert to.
Please contribute to the “Lindsay, Please Stay a Shiksa” fund.
http://elderofziyon.blogspot.com/2009/03/stop-lindsay-lohans-conversion.html
posted March 2, 2009 at 4:24 pm
I can’t believe “elder”s stay a shiksa response. A tenet of Judaism is T’shuva, or “return” which offers the opportunity to seek “yeru-shalem” — the wholeness of peace and repair of the world.
So, Mazel Tov, Lindsay and Samantha
posted March 2, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Welcome home to Lindsay.
posted March 3, 2009 at 10:19 am
The Jewish community needs TORAH observance. If she is sincere -
welcome. If not, it is beter she try the path of B’nei Noach, learn,
and increase in a holy life. TORAH is eternal. We are to shape our lives and loves to it and NOT the other way around! The beginning of
wisdom is reverence for G*d and deference for G*d. Our eternal and heavenly Parent knows best………REALLY!! SHALOM
posted March 3, 2009 at 10:29 am
I THOUGHT THAT THE JEWISH PEOPLE FOLLOWED THE TORAH? IS NOT THE WORD OF GOD TO MEAN ANYTHING TO TODAY’S SOCIETY? ESPECIALLY SENSE THE LAW OF GOD IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE LAW OF MAN. WHEN DID GOD CHANGE HIS MIND ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY IN HIS WORD. THE JEWISH PEOPLE ARE THE PEOPLE BY WHOM GOD HAS CHOSEN TO PROCLAIM THE SALVATION OF GOD. SO WHY DEFAME HIS WORD BY CONDONING THE HOMOSEXUAL LIFE STYLE. DID HE NOT CALL IT AN ABOMINATION. JUST QUESTIONS
posted March 3, 2009 at 11:12 am
Native American, he said that wearing wool and silk together or eating shrimp cocktail are “in poor taste”, not an abomination (in the same passage you are misquoting with regard to homosexuality). If that’s what you need to spew, why are you doing it on a Jewish website? We are smarter than that! L’chaim Lindsay and Samantha!
posted March 3, 2009 at 11:39 am
I think these are the verses/Torah that Native American is referring to:
Lev. 18:22, “You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.”1
Lev. 20:13, “If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltness is upon them”
If this Hebrew translation is correct, it seems very clear to me that the Word of God is specific. I believe this applies to ALL of God’s children and is not gender specific.
I agree with D. Fairfield above, “The Jewish community needs TORAH observance. If she is sincere-welcome.”
God simply wants us to worship Him above our own sin. When we are disobedient–we’re not worshiping Him, we worship the “idol of our own understanding”.
To get back to the subject, Lins
posted March 3, 2009 at 11:49 am
I agree, if she is sincere then it is wonderful news. Good luck to her! I’m converting as well, though I prefer men and pass no judgment on Lindsay.
posted March 3, 2009 at 12:25 pm
B”H
Jewish Law (Halacha) does NOT! forbid lesbian relationships! Only male homosexual relationships are forbidden.
However, the Torah does not encourage such relationships, as they are not in the Torah’s view of a healthy family environment, which is essential for the survival of the Jewish Nation throughout the generations…
posted March 3, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Dearest Lindsay,
As a Jewish woman in my 50′s, I love and respect my Judaism & always have, because I learned right from wrong, to care for all people and animals (my male labrador age 12+ even had what I jokingly call a “bark”mitzvah. Jews instill no guilt, other than you to answer to yourself. Walk away from negative or prejudiced people. I have been a reform Jew when I was previously married to my first husband, but switched back to conservative Judaism I practiced as a child. Choose what you feel comfortable with; Jews are very accepting, and everyone goes to heaven. love, Mary
posted March 3, 2009 at 3:53 pm
“I am sure a million bubbes will suggest you give their granddaughters a call.”
Somehow I don’t think so. Since when does the average bubbe on the street want their granddaughter to hook up with someone else’s granddaughter? Like so many fads – especially ones by young celebrities – this is yet another fad.
I see no reason to disparage those with a sexual orientation that most people believe is not one of choice. On the other hand, I see no reason to glamorize or celebrate it.
posted March 3, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Hey Lindsay,
Welcome to the Tribe!! We are truly a minority group, so the more the merrier! I hope you and Samantha have kids and raise them as Jews! YAY
Donna L. Copman
posted March 3, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Dear No Name and Native,
Jew do NOT get lectured by Xians. When we do, whatever it is you say, we hear “la la la la la”.
Got it?
posted March 3, 2009 at 11:39 pm
I am a Fan of converts, especially our Mother Ruth. I am a fan of lesbians, my best friend is one. I am a fan of Catholics, I attended their schools and was never made to feel different.But I think Lindsey and Ivanka are doing it(converting) for the wrong reasons. A love interest or spouse is not a good basis for a sincere conversion. No real rabbinate will recognize it. When the relationship fails the faith will go by the wayside.That’s why we don’t encourage conversion. It’s tough to convert. It’s even tougher to be a Jew. I welcome Lindsey, even though she just dropping by.
posted March 4, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Oy Vey & Yes to the above!
Lindsey Is just “dropping” by…
posted April 5, 2009 at 1:59 pm
If Lindsay is truly serious about conversion, then it will take a great effort to do it the right way (being rejected 3 times). Our congregation is filled with Jews by choice whose children are attending our religious school. I would love to see more of the same!!!