(JTA) — Actor David Arquette had a spontaneous bar mitzvah at the Western Wall while in Israel filming his new show for the Travel Channel.
Arquette, 40, read from the Torah and put on tefillin in front of the Wall on Monday.
The former "Scream" star, who was born to a Jewish mother but was raised on a commune in Virginia with little religion, later posted on his Twitter account, “I had my bar mitzvah today at the wall. Finally I’m a man.”
Arquette was in Israel for the first time shooting a segment for the show, “Mile High.” During the filming he attended a bar mitzvah at the Wall and was asked if he would also like to perform the ritual.
“He was very emotional, saying he was happy to be part of the chain of the Jewish people,” said Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, who conducted the ceremony. “I’m very pleased to see a man who is returning to his roots.”
The “Mile High” crew visited Tel Aviv, Masada and Jerusalem. Arquette also took a cooking class in Jerusalem, shopped at the city’s Machane Yehuda market, went fishing in Jaffa and served as a disc jockey at a Tel Aviv nightclub.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
