Monday, October 17, 2011

Ivanka Trump's "Flowers" Is Really a Lulav

There were two funny things about the photos of Ivanka Trump (The Donald's daughter) and her husband Jared Kushner taken in New York this past week.


First is the fact that the well-to-do couple wouldn't be using a fancy etrog holder. As Kushner was pushing their baby daughter Arabella Rose on the second day of Sukkot, he was also carrying a lulav and etrog. One would think that Donald Trump's daughter and son-in-law would have a nice silver etrog carrying case, but it appears that the Kushner-Trump couple is sporting the simple cardboard box etrog carrying case along with the plastic bag the lulav comes in.

The second funny thing is that the Daily Mail first published this photo over the weekend in its online edition explaining that "Jared, wearing a casual black jacket, pushed little Arabella Rose's pram along the streets on their way to lunch. He also held some flowers in one hand - perhaps a gift for his wife." I suppose you could combine a palm branch with some myrtle and willow branches to form a bouquet of sorts, but I don't think it's a popular gift for ones wife.

There was no word on where the couple was headed for yuntif lunch or if they had their own sukkah outside of their Manhattan home.

Trump, the billionaire heiress and model, and Kushner were married by Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, who also worked with Trump through her yearlong conversion to Judaism. Kushner is the publisher of the New York Observer.

22 comments:

Karen said...

Where's the baby? The stroller is empty!

rachel kapen said...

If Ivanka's conversion teacher was Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, she is a kosher Jew. I knew Rabbi Lookstein well as the headmaster of Ramaz Upper School on Manhattan's UpperEast Side and spiritual leader of Kehillat Jeshurun since our son Gilad attended and graduated from this great school. His son is now the headmaster. I saw him again one Shabbat when I was visited my son Alon waliking the whole 11 streets to Kehillat Jeshurun. It was a bar mitzvah and when I told him that I was o impressed that he spoke ain Hebrew to the bar mitzvah, he told me that he always does it. A great rabbi and a great teacher for Ivanka Trump-Kushner.

Moshe said...

silver encrusted lulav and etrog cases- you've gort to be kidding- the mitzvah is not in showing off one's financial resources.

Rabbi Jason Miller said...

Moshe, Google "hidur mitzvah".

Anonymous said...

Ivanka Trump is not a "kosher Jew" or any other kind of Jew. She had a phony express "conversion" for the sole purpose of marrying Jared Kushner. She's been spotted eating at non-koshr restaurants, tweets on the Sabbath and dresses like a stripper.
It was laughable to see Ivanka dressed modestly in these photos because most of the time she's baring her body. It was all for show and reveals what a fraud she is.
Mr. Haskel Lookstein is known for "converting" shiksas just so they can marry their rich Jewish husbands, just like Ivanka.
Ivanka is an insult to all sincere Jewish converts. She's not a Jew and neither is her daughter.

Anonymous said...

The "Unorthodox Jew" blog has extensively written about Ivanka Trump's fraudulent conversion to Orthodox Judaism.
Both so-called Rabbis, Haskel Lookstein and Avi Weiss were involved in this phony conversion. Real Rabbis don't violate the Torah and Halacha law. The whole thing stinks.

http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6003330&postID=3924449784528551245

Anonymous said...

She had a conversion with two reputable rabbis. Many orthodox-affiliated Jews do not follow the letter of all laws and are not attacked for their level of observance in a way that undermines their Jewish identity.

It is unclear to me why people need to dwell on the negative... If Jews were more supportive and inclusive of other Jews our community as a whole would be a lot better off.

Rabbi Jason Miller said...

Regarding the last comment, that was very well stated and I appreciate your comments.

Anonymous said...

Jews should support other Jews but Ivanka Trump is not Jewish so your point is moot.
The two individuals who you mentioned as "reputable Rabbis" are anything but that. Real Rabbis don't do fraudulent conversions for marriage or money.
Of course Rabbi Miller agrees with you since he supports intermarriage.

ftd flowers coupon said...

luvlav? sounds funny any more english meaning to that please?

Israel Halpert said...

The Lulav/Etrog in Jared's hands was purchased by him (actually, his mother) from yours truly. Does that make me famous??!! Hey Now!!

Israel Halpert
Ritual Director
Fifth Avenue Synagogue

Rabbi Jason Miller said...

If you would like more information on the lulav (not luvluv), click here on the MyJewishLearning website.

Anonymous said...

Rabbi Miller, Do you who was Ivanka's sponsor Rabbi?

aviva torch said...

Have some derech eretz..mind your own business..its between them and Hashem..Glad to see a Jew with a lulav and etrog..I know plenty who don't even go to Shul on Sukkas...be nice. .

Anonymous said...

I find it interesting that those who leave negative coments about others converted or not-all write anonomously if negative- whatever judism or religion one practices- most really nice people do not gossip about others- sure would be a great world if done so. Bettsblu@aol.cm.

Anonymous said...

This silly blog post points out exactly why so many Jews are now becoming CULTURAL Jews and not joining synagogues...Really, in these times of so much strife for people of all religions, do we really have to focus---and especially comment (both the criticism and the approval comments-) There is no K'lal Yisrael here- Those who choose to be orthodox should be comfortable with their decision- those who CHOOSE to eat non-kosher foods- does that really mean they are any less 'JEWISH" than those who do? Less observant, yes- less Jewish? no. This 'holier than thou' stuff is hurting- not helping- the Jews of the 21st century- Being judgmental, and writing and posting a blog about a high profile couple when there are so many other key issues at this time is a sad commentary.

Catherine C. said...

I thiibk it's admirable that she converted and is endeavoring to follow HaShem's laws. As to all the negative comments and lashon hara going on the comments, I would refer these "Jews" to the daily Chofetz Chaim Power of Speech reminder so they can clean up their speech and maybe even thier minds. I'm Noahide and I find the comments offensive and beneath their postion in the world.

Anne W said...

If you would look up the comments of both the leader of the Lubovitch sect and the Pope, you will note that they are far more tolerant and much less judgemental than many of you. Who are we to judge?

Anonymous said...

PLEASE DO NOT MAKE FUN IT IS NOT NICE AND PURE LOSHAN HORA! MAYBE YOUR NOT JEWISH, SHE IS AND SO IS HER FATHER JUST TAKE A LOOK AT HIS NOSE AND YOU WILL SEE

rayantoky said...

Amen

Anonymous said...

iwanka is treyf

RA: Fighting to move another day said...

Of course, you hide behind your negativity, your anonymity like a coward.