Arts Entertainment Do The Jews `Need' Geraldo? £ Reform wedding raises eyebrows. A spokesman for the Reform move- ment's Union of American Hebrew Congregations, Brian Levenson, would not comment for the Rivera New York story, but Rabbi David Eliezrie of the eraldo Rivera has rediscov- Lubavitch Chasidic movement greeted ered his Jewish roots, and Rivera's return to Judaism warmly. he declares the Jews "need" "We're happy to see any Jew discov- him back. er his roots and reconnect with his The Jews, apparently, are decidedly heritage," Eliezrie said. mixed about his arrival. "I hope Mr. Rivera will do a little Rivera, 59, the flamboyant TV investigative reporting of Jewish learn- reporter, recently announced to the ing and help develop a deep intellec- Philadelphia Inquirer and the tual appreciation of the Jewish tradi- Washington Post that he is planning to tion." marry — in a Reform cere- Speaking of reporting, mony in New York this Rivera has come under summer — TV producer fire for some of his TV Erica Levy, 29. work in Israel and the Rivera, whose mother is Palestinian territories. Jewish and father Puerto The media watchdog Rican, told the Washington groups Standwithus.com Post that "the Jews need me and the Committee for right now," apparently, Accuracy in Middle East according to the Inquirer, to Reporting in America, or help sort out the Israeli- Geraldo Rivera, CAMERA, blasted Palestinian conflict. 59, is set to wed Rivera in 2002 for his "I think it's safe to say the 29-year-old Erica reporting on the Israeli- Jews need Geraldo Rivera as Palestinian conflict. much as everyone else does," Levy this August at the historic Central "Although uninformed chimed in New York Daily coverage of the Israel- News columnist Zev Chafets. Synagogue in Palestinian crisis is com- Rivera and Levy are due to Manhattan. mon, Rivera's combina- be wed this August at the tion of inanity and incessant self-refer- historic Central Synagogue in ence to his own feelings, reactions and Manhattan. The guest list at the cere- experiences has prompted particular mony and reception, to be held at the audience disgust and derisive criticism tony Four Seasons, is said to include from other journalists," CAMERA the likes of Benjamin Netanyahu and said. Hillary Clinton. That April 2002 criticism came after Rabbi Peter Rubenstein, senior Rivera said that although he had been rabbi at the 128-year-old synagogue, a lifelong Zionist and "would die for which is one of the oldest Reform Israel," Palestinian suffering was turn- temples in the country, will officiate. ing him also into a "Palestinian-ist." Rubenstein declined to discuss the Upon learning of Rivera's Jewish impending Levy-Rivera nuptials. "I'd feel uncomfortable commenting wedding, Andrea Levin, executive director of CAMERA, said, "He's not on that," he told JTA. going to be a Palestinian-ist anymore?" Rivera could not be reached for While a Jewish marriage "doesn't comment, but he told the Washington Post that he is going to "take this whole always necessarily guarantee level- headed reporting," she added, "I cer- Judaism thing seriously" from now on. tainly hope he has a long and happy While this is his fifth wedding, marriage and that it helps inform his Rivera says it's his first in a synagogue reporting." or church. He celebrated a dual bar But Chafets, who grew up in mitzvah in Israel with his oldest child, Pontiac, Mich., and graduated from son Gabriel, now 23. JOE BERKOFSKY Jewish Telegraphic Agency a *Voted Best Patio By The Detroit Free Press 14171 .)",‘,. COmo's es riucraannt Itaamlitry- m eta tZ Woodward at 9 Mile • (248) 548-5005 669710 505 S. Lafayette Royal Oak MI 48067 Call Simone at: 248.544.7373 Website: simonevitale.com Email: info@simonevitale.com 670180 Voted By The Detroit Jewish News Readers • • 0 • • II • -0 Ice cream • Soups • Sandwiches Desserts • Gourmet Coffee • Tea • • • • • • • • • 5/30 2003 72 ••0•11/•••It 0.0'0 .0..0 .0.0 •.• a IV* tt IV 0. • • • • ice cream/soups/sandwiches ceftleale cai lz etett 444 acs .exa, z Tee ezea4it 32 040414 "flot 25849 Lahser Rd. • In the Majestic Market Plaza (248) 945-9464 Present this coupon for a 10% discount on any purchase of $2.00 or more! •