Marilyn
Monroe (1926-1962)
When the prolific Jewish
playwright Arthur Miller initially met Marilyn Monroe at a
cocktail party in Hollywood. When they met some years some years
later, after her divorce from Joe DiMaggio, love blossomed. But
when a dinner discussion regarding marriage plans cropped up,
Marilyn made an unusual request: "I think I'd like to have a
rabbi."
Thus, Marilyn converted
in June of 1956, flanked by Rabbi Robert Goldberg, Miller, and his
family. She even got a musical menorah that played Hatikvah as a
gift.
According to The Jewish
Times of Brookline, Massachusetts:
"Is it of your own free
will that you seek admittance into the Jewish fold?" the rabbi
asked.
"Yes", Marilyn said.
"Do you renounce your former faith?"
She had had none so she renounced her lack of faith. "Yes".
"Do you pledge you loyalty to Judaism? Do you promise to cast in
your lot with the people of Israel amid all circumstances?"
It is good, she remembered, to suffer — if you share with others …
"Yes."
"Do you promise to lead a Jewish life?"
She thought of her new family, holding each other close in a bond
of love. "Yes."
"Should you be blessed with children do you agree to rear your
children according to the Jewish faith?"
Her children, who would forever know who they were, who would have
an answer to their questions. "Oh, yes," she said.
The Rabbi smiled at her. "Repeat after me," he said, and together
they spoke the ancient words of the convert.
"I do herewith declare in the presence of God and the witnesses
here assembled that I … seek the fellowship of Israel.
"I believe that God is one Almighty, Allwise, Most Holy …
The Rabbi took her hand and gave her solemnly a name chosen from
the Bible — a name which she keeps entirely to herself. "With this
name as token you are now a member of the household of Israel and
have assumed all its rights, privileges and responsibilities." His
hand was on her head.
On June 29th, 1956 she
married Arthur Miller. On July 1st, 1956 they had another, Jewish,
wedding ceremony.
Marilyn Monroe’s Certificate of Conversion to Judaism
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