Front Lines A Many Faceted Jewish Star Los Angeles I n the 2010 book Furious Love, about the fervent, stormy romance between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, the lovers have a quar- rel about Judaism. In one scene, Taylor and Burton have one of their usual, theatrical spats — over who was more "Jewish." The book says Burton had referred to the Welsh as "the Jews of Britain," a comment on their self-identity as the outsiders of the United Kingdom. Burton was Welsh. "You're not Jewish at all," he told Elizabeth in one of their very public fights. "If there's any Jew in this family, its me!" "I am Jewish," she answered, "and you can f*%# off!" Taylor, the irreverent and dazzling actress who died March 23, 2011 at age 79, was raised a Christian Scientist but converted to Judaism at age 27. Though some say the decision was motivated by marriage to her third husband, Mike Todd — born Avrom Goldbogen, the grandson of a Polish rabbi — Taylor famously denied it, insisting she had always been interested in Judaism. In her book Elizabeth Takes Off Taylor tried to set the record straight: "[Conversion to Judaism] had absolute- ly nothing to do with my past marriage to Mike [Todd] or my upcoming mar- riage to Eddie Fisher, both of whom were Jewish. It was something I had wanted to do for a long time." Divas do things on their own terms. When she finally decided to con- vert, Taylor did so at Temple Israel of Hollywood, under the tutelage of then-Rabbi Max Nussbaum. According to Time magazine, which reported on Taylor's conversion in April 1959, Nussbaum developed a special cur- riculum for the actress that included the Bible and the books A History of the Jew by Abram Leon Sachar, What Is a Jew? by Morris Kertzer, and Basic Judaism by Milton Steinberg. Afterwards, "They discussed the ancient traditions and modern prob- lems of the people of Israel," Time reported. At her conversion ceremony, Taylor was given the Hebrew name Elisheba Rachel Taylor (Elisheba being the Hebrew version of Elizabeth and Rachel being the actress' biblical heroine). According to Time: "The ceremony took place in the chapel of Temple Israel in the presence of Convert Taylor's parents. Facing the open Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Scrolls, she iN CONTENTS Elizabeth Taylor answered the ritual questions put to her by Rabbi Nussbaum. Among them: `Do you promise to cast your lot with the people of Israel amid all circum- stances and conditions?' Do you agree to rear your future children according to the Jewish faith?'" Taylor channeled her defiant Jewish spirit into almost everything, even her eight marriages. Mike Nichols report- Jewish Star on page 5 theJEWISHNEWS March 31-April 6, 2011 25 Adar 11-2 Nisan 5771 Vol. CXXXIX, No. 8 The Power of Recycling Cover Story on page 9 Shabbat Lights / Holidays Ann Arbor Around Town Shabbat: Friday, April 1, 7:40 p.m. Shabbat Ends: Saturday, April 2, 8:43 p.m.* 14 18 Arts/Entertainment 51 Family Focus 60 Health 44 Marketplace 64 Mazel Toy! 60 Metro 9 Obituaries 72 Points Of View 42 Red Thread..Center Section Roundup 5 Spirituality Sports Staff Box/Phone List Synagogue List Teen2Teen Extra To Do/Calendar Torah Portion World/Israel 36 48 6 38 59 57 37 20 Shabbat: Friday, April 8, 7:48 p.m. Shabbat Ends: Saturday, April 9, 8:51 p.m.* * Times according to Yeshiva Beth Yehudah calendar. Havdalah practices may vary. Consult your rabbi. Danny Raskin Robert Sklar 56 42 Our JN Mission The Jewish News aspires to communicate news and opinion that's useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. 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