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Is Michael Richards a Jew or Not?
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Now we're very confused.
On Tuesday we reported that the Jewish Journal had written that the former Seinfeld star Michael Richards was not a member of the tribe. But this afternoon we read in Gothamist that the actor's newly hired PR man says that Richards is indeed Jewish.
All of this stems from a new allegation that Richards once went on an anti-Semetic tirade on some audience members at The Improv in April.
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"He is Jewish and he said, 'I'm absolutely not anti-Semitic,' " Rubenstein was quoted in the NY Post. "He acknowledged that he said those things. He said that he was role-playing and playing a character. He said, 'There is no way I'm anti-Jewish.' "
Born in Culver City to William Richards and Phyllis (nee Nardozzi), Wikipedia, which the Jewish Journal references, claims that Richards was raised a Catholic.
However he was brought up, it appears that the man we know and love as Kramer, is a Mason.
What prompted Richards to become a Mason? In 1996 at Lake Tahoe, Richards inducted Ill. Red Skelton, 33°, into The Comedy Hall of Fame. Bro. Richards says: "I was already interested in the Craft from reading Manly Palmer Hall's The Secret of All Ages, Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma, and Albert Mackey's Symbolism of Freemasonry. So, when I met Red and found out about his strong ties to Freemasonry, I was very impressed. Morals and Dogma certainly introduced me to Scottish Rite philosophy, but it was through Red's lovable nature, Masonic and all, that I really wanted to be a Mason." Inspired by the high moral standards of Masonic teachings, as well as the fact that so many great men of all times were Freemasons, Michael Richards became a plural member of Riviera Lodge No. 780 and Culver City–Foshay No. 467, the Southern California Research Lodge, and a Life Member of the Los Angeles Scottish Rite Valley as well as a Life Member of the Scottish Rite Research Society. - The Supreme Council
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