Pompeo in Grey's Anatomy
Photo: ABC, courtesy of Yes
Passover’s Anatomy: Dr. Grey has seders
The Catholic actress, best known for playing Dr. Meredith Grey on the American series Grey’s Anatomy, apparently celebrates Jewish holidays with her husband, whose mother is Jewish. She also hopes to visit Israel.
The star of the American television series Grey’s Anatomy, Ellen Pompeo, intends to celebrate a Seder on Passover next week, even though she herself is Catholic.
Pompeo, who plays Dr. Meredith Gray, told Yedioth Ahronoth that she celebrates Jewish holidays with her husband, Chris Ivery, who was born to a Jewish mother.
Ellen Pompeo and her husband Chris Ivery (Photo: Colson Griffith)
“My husband didn’t grow up in a religious family, and I didn’t either, but we celebrate Hanukkah and Passover, and I would very much like to celebrate Shabbat evenings too,” she said, adding, “I know a few words in Hebrew like ‘ma nishtana halaila haze,’” reciting part of the Passover seder.
The actress, who met her husband at a supermarket, explained that it was important for her three children to recognize their Jewish roots: “I define myself more as a spiritual person than a religious one, but I want my children to learn and know the Jewish holidays that are so beautiful.” She has not yet visited Israel, but it’s definitely in the works.
“My husband has a Jewish friend who always travels to Israel, and he’s invited us to go with him more than once, so I hope he will visit us there as a family. I heard that it’s a very beautiful country, and its history is fascinating,” she said.
(Translated and edited by J. Herzog)
