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.

"We are very sorry that this has created a problem for him personally and for the community," said the film's executive producer, Jan Korbelin.

"He's a great ambassador of his faith and it came out of the left field. ... This is the last thing this picture should be doing," Korbelin said. "This film is about love and understanding between different people and communities."

Just Wednesday, Karpen was strolling along the Fulton Ferry State Park under the Brooklyn Bridge alongside Portman, 26, who sported a dark head-covering and a coat.

"They wanted me to hold her hand, but I said 'no way,'" said Karpen, who proudly stood his ground. "It's against our religion. You can't even hold your wife's hand on the street."

Then came the howls of protest about his unorthodox job.

"This is when I woke up and saw that I made a big mistake. My kids mean everything to me and my community where I live means everything to me," said Karpen, who comes from a prominent Williamsburg, Brooklyn, family.

His longtime friend Levi Okunov said the Karpens had to flee the city for the weekend. "The community wants to kill him," he said.

Hasidic community activist Isaac Weinberger said Karpen should have known better.

"We don't watch television. We don't go to the movies, so to be in a movie is the worst thing. It's a shame for any Hasid," he said.

Still, despite his troubles, Karpen had nothing but kind words for the film and Portman.

"She's the only one I was willing to work with," Karpen said. "I was shocked that she's a Hollywood big shot. We talked in Hebrew. ... She wants to become more religious."

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2008/03/15/2008-03-15_hasidic_actor_walks_off_portman_movie.html

oh come on, there are tons of Jews in Hollywood, all you have to do is see a Judd Apatow movie to prove that :lol:. Why is it that the guy being Hasidic makes it so bad for him to work in an industry where his faith is probably celebrated more than Christianity?

oh come on, there are tons of Jews in Hollywood, all you have to do is see a Judd Apatow movie to prove that :lol:. Why is it that the guy being Hasidic makes it so bad for him to work in an industry where his faith is probably celebrated more than Christianity?


He did feel pressure from his Rabbi, who threatened to kick his kids out of school.

I'm really getting sick and tired of religious hostility against places like Hollywood, and this whole "it's against my religion" thing. A rabbi threatening to kick his kids out of school? Greeeaaaaat. "Evil, sinful" pagans in Hollywood.
Well, if Natalie Portman wants to become more "religious", pray she finds a more tolerant, accepting form of Judaism that the Hasidic Jews.

I have a hard time with people finding something so sacrosanct in religion that
it almost sounds like superstition. Are some things detrimental to one spiritually? Of course. But one Jewish guy being threatened with expulsion from his faith by performing an act as part of a role in a movie, like holding her hand? Don't these guys get it?? Lighten up, people.

I don't see what the Hasidic Jews hate about Hollywood, have they ever heard of the comment about Jews running Hollywood? I mean, what is Woody Allen? Steven Speilberg? Jerry Seinfeld? Adam Sandler? Judd Apatow (and just about everyone who acts in his films)? Sarah Jessica Parker? Sarah Michelle Gellar? etc.... It's odd to see Jewish hostility towards Hollywood since time and again, Hollywood is probably the greatest place to be if you're Jewish, it's the area where Jewish people are not a minority in any form. Hasidic Jews should embrace it because being Jewish isn't considered an obstacle or minority in any form in Hollywood.

Wait, didn't the guy read the script BEFOREHAND? How could he not know? Or were there changes after he was hired?

This reminds me a bit of one of my fave actors, Jim Cavaziel, who played Jesus in the PASSION OF THE CHRIST. He was cast in a Jennifer Lopez movie and because of his catholic faith, he refused to do any scenes that made it appear he was in bed with another woman. So the scenes were changed. He is married and a devout Catholic. I love Jim and his views and how he won't change his views simply for a movie role. Although, it does keep him from getting many roles because of it, but he loves his wife and truly loves his faith.

Pat Boone was the same. He refused to kiss an actress in one of his movies because he is married.

I may be in the minority here, but I give a :thumbsup: to these actors who won't give in simply for a movie role and/or $$$$.

Wait, didn't the guy read the script BEFOREHAND? How could he not know? Or were there changes after he was hired?

This reminds me a bit of one of my fave actors, Jim Cavaziel, who played Jesus in the PASSION OF THE CHRIST. He was cast in a Jennifer Lopez movie and because of his catholic faith, he refused to do any scenes that made it appear he was in bed with another woman. So the scenes were changed. He is married and a devout Catholic. I love Jim and his views and how he won't change his views simply for a movie role. Although, it does keep him from getting many roles because of it, but he loves his wife and truly loves his faith.

Pat Boone was the same. He refused to kiss an actress in one of his movies because he is married.

I may be in the minority here, but I give a :thumbsup: to these actors who won't give in simply for a movie role and/or $$$$.

The problem is, according to the Hasidic faith, you can't watch tv or movies. So, being an actor is just wrong to them.

The problem is, according to the Hasidic faith, you can't watch tv or movies. So, being an actor is just wrong to them.
How did he become an actor then?

How did he become an actor then?


He just got lucky I guess. He is really a kitchen cabinet salesman and I GUESS, was discovered and cast in this movie.

Wait, didn't the guy read the script BEFOREHAND? How could he not know? Or were there changes after he was hired?

This reminds me a bit of one of my fave actors, Jim Cavaziel, who played Jesus in the PASSION OF THE CHRIST. He was cast in a Jennifer Lopez movie and because of his catholic faith, he refused to do any scenes that made it appear he was in bed with another woman. So the scenes were changed. He is married and a devout Catholic. I love Jim and his views and how he won't change his views simply for a movie role. Although, it does keep him from getting many roles because of it, but he loves his wife and truly loves his faith.

Pat Boone was the same. He refused to kiss an actress in one of his movies because he is married.

I may be in the minority here, but I give a :thumbsup: to these actors who won't give in simply for a movie role and/or $$$$.

I heard that about Cavaziel. You just know a lot of his friends were all "how could you not do this??" as they could've lived vicariously through him having an onscreen love scene with J. Lo, remember that was back when every guy in America wanted a piece of her. :lol:

I think Hollywood acting is so much different than porn. If you have kiss someone in a movie, chances are there are 30 other people in the room with lighting and everything else, so even if there's a love scene, it's going to be as unromantic as possible. I remember some actress saying her first love scene in a movie was uncomfortable because it was acted and in a room with some 30 other men watching it take place. Plus, it's all choreographed and scripted, it's not like porn where the sex is real. Pat Boone is a bit not right in the head (not really due to religion but just the way he is) anyways, just my opinion.

He just got lucky I guess. He is really a kitchen cabinet salesman and I GUESS, was discovered and cast in this movie.
Wow! interesting story. Still, I give him kudos for backing down from the movie. Some people would do anything for fame. Some real actors probably get pissed at people like that who get a lucky break. :lol:

I think Hollywood acting is so much different than porn. If you have kiss someone in a movie, chances are there are 30 other people in the room with lighting and everything else, so even if there's a love scene, it's going to be as unromantic as possible. I remember some actress saying her first love scene in a movie was uncomfortable because it was acted and in a room with some 30 other men watching it take place. Plus, it's all choreographed and scripted, it's not like porn where the sex is real. Pat Boone is a bit not right in the head (not really due to religion but just the way he is) anyways, just my opinion.


Kay Parker would be so proud! ;)

Wow! interesting story. Still, I give him kudos for backing down from the movie. Some people would do anything for fame. Some real actors probably get pissed at people like that who get a lucky break. :lol:


You definitely have to tip your hat to the guy. I mean, just imagine what he is giving up for his faith? It is commendable.

I heard that about Cavaziel. You just know a lot of his friends were all "how could you not do this??" as they could've lived vicariously through him having an onscreen love scene with J. Lo, remember that was back when every guy in America wanted a piece of her. :lol:

I think Hollywood acting is so much different than porn. If you have kiss someone in a movie, chances are there are 30 other people in the room with lighting and everything else, so even if there's a love scene, it's going to be as unromantic as possible. I remember some actress saying her first love scene in a movie was uncomfortable because it was acted and in a room with some 30 other men watching it take place. Plus, it's all choreographed and scripted, it's not like porn where the sex is real. Pat Boone is a bit not right in the head (not really due to religion but just the way he is) anyways, just my opinion.
Well, it is not abt the love scene being "real" it was abt Jim not wanting to touch anyone else in that fashion that was not his wife. I talked abt this with one of my local priests when we were chatting away at lunch one time and he said that although it is simply acting, some people truly believe in their faith and don't want to have any kissing or "love scenes" even though it is just a movie. I totally understand Jim's point of view. He is totally devoted to his faith and even visited with the late Pope John Paul II. His heart belongs to his wife and so do his lips. Acting or not.

You definitely have to tip your hat to the guy. I mean, just imagine what he is giving up for his faith? It is commendable.
I do, I really do. Like I said, I give kudos to people like him. Some people put religion on the back burner or just mock religion, but here we have a few people who really put it first and foremost, regardless of what fortune they may make from making movies. And when you think abt it, look at how many people have been burned out from Hollywood. How many people have died so young or have addictions. Too many.