Couldn't afford school, couldn't afford rent, couldn't afford the food ... so we made aliya. And now we don't have to afford the school, and we still can't afford the rent, but you know what? Here at least poor Jews have company. Lots of us here. It's much harder to be a poor Jew in the States. So come here. Come home.

We all know that a conversion for convenience (including marriage) has little meaning. But consider... Bar is already Jewish, and any children will be as well. One hopes they intend to create a Jewish household, and we know that the convert often inspires the Jewish partner to draw closer to his or her Jewish heritage. The fact that they've remained together this long - a lifetime in Hollywood - suggests this isn't just a fling. So let it go. Wish them well.

I love your comments.

he will doing a lot more than born jews who don,t even marry jews...love the convert...

Some gentiles worth and better that many Jews.My regards to Arnie..:-))

It seems that every other day, we hear about some cowardly performer bailing on their commitment to play in Israel, or some shithead academic calling for a boycott of Israeli institutions. But now we have a world famous celebrity saying very positive things about Israel (whether or not he intends to convert) and there are people who can't say anything good about him. What the hell is the problem?

This anti-semitic camelion now wants to convert for the sake of marriage? Any rabbi that considers processing this person's application had better do some thorough soul searching as he is letting in a snake in the grass. DiCaprio forgets that Jews dwelled in Italy prior to the First Temple. His previously made vile remarks about Jews should not be so quickly forgotten. He did not want his movies to distributed in Israel.

Even if Leo studies with a reform rabbi he will learn more about Judaism than Bar ever knew.

I respect him for being willing to make such a commitment for her. Better to gain one than to lose one, All the best ..

Leave her alone big deal she didn't done her military service ..maney more don't serve ...I served 5 years between 1966 and 1971 ...It doesn't make me a batter person .I wish Bar and Leo the best .....

is a reason for rejoicing. But the majority of these posts are not rejoicing; they are saying either "he won't be a REAL Jew" or "leave him alone," but most seem to be assuming that he will not be a sincere follower of YHWH, nor a sincere keeper of His Torah. Yet the source quoted mentioned Leo's "sudden intense interest in Israel, its culture and religion", which indicates that his interest is not solely in the woman he loves but also in her people being his people, and her G-D his G-D. It is good that some of the people here were not around to greet Ruth, or there might not have been a King David. Rather than judgement and suspicion, perhaps if you looked at this the way G-D does, you would be happier and more hopeful. Unless, of course, you believe that what we get from G-D is judgement and suspicion. No matter, the Scriptures say that the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. One of the most natural means and responses to this is through people coming to follow YHWH and His Torah ... which is a reason for rejoicing.

as a convert I have been the victim of the sort of remarks made on this talkback page and let me tell you that it has been simply heartbreaking to find out that in spite of years of dedicated study and being obv=servant all it requires to be a target for many Jewish people is to show up looking gentile. I have been been on te receiving end of this sort of malicious hatred and guess what--I stopped participating in any observant activity with other people because it ruins it for me. I have NOT been welcomed by the Jewish people and not brought into the fold. Jews are no different than hairbrained christian jerkwads and these talkbacks prove it. Thanks, for nothing.

Bar must be very flattered. Unlike many in Hollywood who have been married more than once, have kids with different women, DiCaprio has remained truly single and has spent the last five years with Bar. If he decides to convert to please her and her family, than good for her. I wish them all the best and hope they'll have a healthy marriage and family.

If you ever visit Anchorage, please feel free to visit Congregation Beth Shalom. As the rabbi of the "frozen Chosen" says: We are proud to welcome as members, now and always, those that are Jews by birth, by choice and those seeking conversion. You will be welcomed, fed and made to feel that you are part of the family which you have joined. Shalom, my friend.

There's HALF the job done...

It's a sign! It's bashert! Mazel tov. I hope he does convert since there is so much truth in Torah values. He'll appreciate it after all he's lived through and experienced of life. Hope the wedding is here in israel and hope i'm invited!

Leo as your fellow American here don't convert. Keep religion out of it. Religion complicates lives. Look at the world today. The most f****d up places in the world are countries where the religious rule or have significant influence in government. Just look at the Hasidim they are such a waste and they drain Israel dry but they have a significant voice in politics.

...but being of one religion or another does not stop certain people from being jerks. Or hypocritical attention-seeking celebrities. If you truly believed in the religion you have chosen you would practice it consistently and whole-heartedly regardless of who does or does not "accept you into the fold". Secondly, read all of the posts here, different people offer different voices and opinions. There's no point in only picking and choosing those which you find to be hurtful.