Anti-Semitism and the It Girl

When I grow up, I want to be Natalie Portman.

She has been an icon in the Jewish community for years – beautiful, smart, talented and doesn’t get caught drunk in public. She’s a self-proclaimed vegetarian, so she’s as good as kosher in the public eye. She just won an Academy Award and is bringing another member of the Jewish people into the world. But today, I salute her in what has been a flurry of anti-Semitism.

As violence erupts in the Middle East, we as Jews wonder what is going to happen to our beloved Israel. We hear dictators talking about how Israel is to blame for something or another, whether it’s for the uprisings or for the reason why people want the current leadership out. We’re not sure what’s going to happen next.

And outside of the Middle East, we have people like John Galliano, who has been leading the house of Christian Dior, mouthing off about how horrible Jews are and how much he loves Adolf Hitler. The fashion industry, despite having many prominent Jews in it, such as Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, still has issues with the Tribe. Rumors have swirled over the years about how some fashion houses won’t hire you if you are Jewish, among other rumors.

Natalie, our beloved Jewish girl, could have kept her head down. She may be the newest face of Dior, but she’s an actress. She could have not gotten involved, or even defended Galliano, as many people in the fashion industry are. But Natalie stood tall. Here was her statement:

I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano’s comments that surfaced today. In light of this video, and as an individual who is proud to be Jewish, I will not be associated with Mr. Galliano in any way. I hope at the very least these terrible comments remind us to reflect and act upon combating these still-existing prejudices that are the opposite of all that is beautiful.

I’m not sure if a PR rep wrote this, but it is incredible that she did so. By the way, this is not the first time that Natalie has expressed her pride of being an MOT. While she was studying at Harvard, as anti-Israel attacks were raging on the campus, she wrote an Op-Ed for the Crimson newspaper, stating her support of Israel.

It is so special and rare when we have someone like Natalie, who is so eloquent and strong in her convictions. Yes, she’s beautiful, but lots of actresses are, and that’s why they make the big bucks. But Natalie goes beyond that.

She is smart and can speak in a coherent sentence. She’s fun, but never delinquent in her behaviors (I’m looking at you, Christina Augilera and Charlie Sheen). She’s comfortable in her own skin and absolutely real, right down to her push for raunchy romantic comedies for women. Yet she has great humility and respect to those who came before her and who help her.

Let’s face it: She’s the coolest girl at the lunch table, and everyone seems to relish her presence – Aaron Sorkin, my spirit animal when it comes to writing, was doing interviews for my favorite film of the year when he remembered having Natalie invite him over for dinner and going over the gossip of what was going down at Harvard as Facebook launched. He was in awe of her. As are we all.

So in honor of Natalie, who eats no meat, we are going vegan today for our recipe. Natalie, if you are reading this, there is plenty more where this is coming from.

ZUCCHINI BASIL SOUP

1 tbsp oil (canola or olive)

2 lbs. zucchini

1 large onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup fresh basil

4 cups vegan chicken consommé or vegetable stock

½ cup soy creamer

Warm the oil in a soup pot. Add the chopped onions and garlic. Saute until transparent. Slice the zucchini and add. Saute for 3-4 minutes. Add the four cups of consommé or vegetable stock and cup of basil. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.

Puree with an immersion blender. Turn off the heat and add the soy creamer. This soup can be served hot or chilled for a couple of hours in the chill chest and served cold.