Rapper LL Cool J Has Tons of Jewish Friends — but Can’t Stand Gefilte Fish
Actor and rapper LL Cool J on April 15, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. Image by Getty Images
By Josefin Dolsten May 23, 2016
Rapper LL Cool J has too many Jewish friends to count, but there’s one Jewish custom he won’t get on board with: gefilte fish.
“My grandfather was from the Bronx, he came home with gefilte fish every week. I mean, I didn’t like it, no disrespect, but I loved him, it wasn’t my thing, but I always had great Jewish friends, always, they’ve been good to me,” the rapper, whose stage name is an acronym for Ladies Love Cool James, told the Jewish Journal.
“I can go on and on and on and on and on, about the different Jewish friends I’ve had and it’s always been natural for me,” he said.
LL Cool J also said that he wants to visit Israel. “I would love to go. I really would. I’ve never been but first time for everything, right?”
The rapper was attending a launch event in Beverly Hills for the Ulmer Institute, a trauma center that will use Israeli trauma treatment methods. At the event the center’s founder, Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, who is black, spoke of the importance of unity between African-Americans and Jews, according to the Jewish Journal.
Contact Josefin Dolsten at [email protected] or on Twitter, @JosefinDolsten
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
