Happy 5769! Jews traditionally celebrate the New Year with toothsome foods like noodle kugel (egg noodles baked with brown sugar and raisins), rugelach, and apples and honey to usher in sweet times in the year ahead. Here’s our take on a delectable treat to honor Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: a buffet of hot celebs who make our lives a little sweeter by putting the star in Star of David.
The Ronsons
Talk about the chosen people! This multi-talented family once posed as the Royal Tenenbaums in a photoshoot for Harper’s Bazaar, and the parallels are clear: DJ (and rumored Lindsay Lohan lover) SamRo might be the most tabloid-ready sibling these days, but fashion designer Charlotte and music producer Mark are both famous in their own right. Watch out, Osbournes: this British all-in-the-family import doesn’t need a reality show to prove that talent is in the genes.
DJ AM
As a high-profile DJ and Nicole Ritchie’s ex-fiancé, AM—a.k.a. Adam Goldstein—has been an unlikely gossip mag favorite for years. He famously dropped 150 pounds after gastric bypass surgery and kicked his addiction to alcohol and cocaine. But AM’s most recent brush with death—surviving a lethal plane crash with buddy and former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker—cements him as an all-around superman. Refuah Shelemah, Adam: get well soon!
Isla Fisher and Sascha Baron Cohen
British funnyman Baron Cohen may not seem pious when storming the Milan fashion shows as alter ego Bruno, but the man behind his well-known characters stays true to his Jewish roots. He and longtime love Fisher have yet to set a wedding date, but don’t question her commitment: She spent three years studying to convert to her fiancé’s religion and gave birth to the couple’s daughter, Olive, in October 2007. Olive may be too young to eat matzoh, but we’re betting she’s already hysterically funny.
Michelle Trachtenberg
Playing bad girl Georgina Sparks on the first season of Gossip Girl was only the most recent scene-stealing turn for this New York native and child star. Trachtenberg got her start on the surreal Nickelodeon comedy The Adventures of Pete and Pete, only to slide into an ongoing role on television’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Though in the past few years she’s morphed into a sex symbol and fashion icon, Trachtenberg never forgets where she comes from. The proof? Retaining her Jewish last name in a star machine that tends to deemphasize celebrities’ ethnicity.
The Apatow Boys
Freaks and geeks Seth Rogan, Jason Segal and James Franco may share a love of stoner comedy, but they also satisfy their munchies with challah. Like Moses leading the slaves from Egypt, director Judd Apatow unleashes the trio’s adolescent brand of humor expertly. With hits like The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up and Superbad behind them, this crowd is the new Hollywood laugh factory. Cheers to that - l’chaim!
Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal
Mama (and now Grandma) Gyllenhaal is Jewish, Dad’s not, but according to female-friendly Talmudic law religion passes down via the ladies. This bicoastal brother-sister duo proves fearless when it comes to playing risky roles - from a homosexual cowboy to a masochistic secretary, Jake and Maggie impress fans and scandalize critics both on and off-screen. With their activist agendas and liberal political views, these bicoastal siblings are sure to make an impact. And baby Ramona? The ranks of Hollywood royalty await her.
Sarah Silverman
It wouldn’t be a proper Jewish celeb round up without Ms. Silverman, who’s positioned herself as the number one potty-mouthed Jewess. Recently, the comedienne’s laid off the body-centric humor to take a turn in the political spotlight. The Great Schlep—Silverman’s pro-bama website—urges young voters to exchange visits to their Florida-based Grandparents for democratic votes in the upcoming presidential election. Like it or not, no one can claim Silverman lacks creativity. Have a side of brisket with the voting process!
Natalie Portman
Israel-born Portman (née Hershlag) starred in the Broadway production of The Diary of Anne Frank in 1997. Today, she’s a fixture on the A-list, and a passionate animal activist who recently designed a line of vegan shoes for specialty footwear brand Té Casan. Portman is known in Hollywood for her refreshingly good behavior and professionalism. And shana punim! Beautiful inside and out, Portman is a classic silver screen goddess with serious values.
Jon Stewart
What a mensch—proof that women aren’t joking when they claim to want a man with a sense of humor, Stewart captivates audiences with his smart political zingers and self-deprecating comic delivery. Silver-haired and silver-tongued, Stewart (born Leibowitz) makes no apologies for his unique mix of leftist cynicism and all-American hope. An everyday fixture in viewers’ lives, he’s the host with the most who’s made The Daily Show must-see TV for millions.
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