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A Jewish Pope?

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Not exactly, though he did have a distant Jewish connection.

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longs to the wonderful locust,
who even has nine different
biblical names including "the
devourer," "the
buzzing one" and
"one who gathers
in swarms."
The locust is
mentioned fre-
quently in the
Torah but never
pleasantly. Everyone
knows that the locust is
one of the Ten Plagues,
but did you know it's also la-
beled an instrument of de-
struction in Deuteronomy, I
Kings, Psalms?
In fact, plagues of locusts
continued to trouble
the
Middle
East through-
out history, in-
cluding the 20th
century. In one famous
incident, British troops
in Transjordan in 1928
found, and destroyed, literal-
ly thousands of the creepy
creatures.
Oddly enough, Leviticus
notes that the wandering Is-
raelites were allowed to dine
on locusts (perhaps the perfect
dish for your mother-in-law?).
It's not done today, though, as
very wise rabbis in the Middle
Ages declared locusts indis-
tinguishable from a
number of treife
creatures, and so
all the insects
were deemed
inedible,
thank good-
ness.
There are
still those who regard lo-
custs the tastiest of
morsels, however. The next
time you're in Syria or Iraq
(and aren't those two countries
at the top of everyone's must-
see vacation spots?), check out
the outdoor markets or spe-
cialty shops, where the insects
can still be found for sale.
But please, don't invite me
for dinner.

Q: !'m a big movie buff, and for
years I have seen the name Louis

B. Mayer. All this time I have been
wondering what that darn "B"
stood for. Can Tell Me Why help
me out? ,
A: "Can Tell Me Why help

new husband actor Laurence
Harvey until her death in
1980. Talk-show host Mike
Douglas then bought the man-
sion and sold it in 1984.
Several years later the
me out?" — is there some rea- house became available for
son this question need even be public rental. The cost: $35,000
asked? Aren't some things just a night.
obvious? Do you inquire, "Will
If you do decide to stay at
the sun rise today?" when you Harry's, be sure to take a trip
get up, or "Will the dialogue of around the corner to 9419 Sun-
`Baywatch' yet again be so set Blvd., former home of Irv-
complex I'll need a dictionary ing Thalberg, who married
just to begin to grasp it?"
actress Norma Shearer in the
Good grief.
backyard of this elegant house.
The famous "B" in the pro-
ducer's name stood for
Q: A pope, with a Jewish con-
Burt.
nection?
I've heard rumors, but
He was born in 1885
in Minsk, Russia, then at can it be true?
18 settled in Massachusetts.
A: It is true indeed. He was
His show-biz career began in the man Voltaire referred to as
1907, and within 20 years he "the Jewish pope," and he was
was part of the Metro-Gold- the great-grandson of a Jew-
wyn-Mayer Corp. ish merchant who converted to
Among the Christianity, then married a
stars he dis- gentile from the aristocracy.
covered and
Despite his great-grand-
cultivated: father, the "Jewish pope"
Robert Tay- Pietro Pierleoni, who lived in
lor, Mickey the 12th century, never had
Rooney and much to do with Judaism —
Norma except when it came to de-
Shearer.
fending himself from critics.
A little- Both his own parents were de-
known fact vout Catholics who raised their
about Louis Burt son to become a priest. Pietro
is that he also was did exactly as his parents
quite dedicated to pol- wished, then became a cardi-
itics. In 1928, he served nal, and finally, now known as
as a delegate to the Republi- Anacletus II, was declared
can National Convention; one pope in 1130.
year later, President Hoover
His election by the cardinals
asked him to take on the post did not go unchallenged. Al-
of ambassador to Turkey (he though a majority supported
declined). Mayer also was ac- Anacletus II, a powerful mi-
tive in a number of Jewish or- nority were in favor of Inno-
ganizations, especially the Los cent II. A fierce battle ensued,
Angeles Jewish Orphans with Anacletus II's opponents
Home.
frequently denouncing his
Jewish background. One re-
Q: I understand that the former marked: "To the profanation of
Hollywood home of studio chief Christ, a descendant of the
Jews had taken possession of
Harry Cohn can be rented for the Peter's seat."
night. Is that so?
In the end, however, Ana-
A: You might want to double- cletus II did become pope. In-
check before reserving terestingly, he remained
the place as this will be no sympathetic to Jews and
. small investment. But as of re- supportive of the Jewish com-
cent reports, you could in- munity throughout his life. CI
deed rent the place out for the
night.
Cohn, a film genius often Send questions to Tell Me Why,
called the most hated man in The Jewish News, 27676
Hollywood, built a massive Franklin Road, Southfield, MI
mansion at 1000 Crescent Dr. 48034, or fax to (810) 354-6069.
during the 1920s. It included All letters must be sign,ed and in-
three guest houses, seven clude the writer's address. Ques-
bathrooms and a theater. Cohn tions answered in the column will
died in 1958, but his wife con- feature only the writer's initials
tinued to live in the house with and city of residence.

