Anti-Semitic adventures for ‘Elmo,’ U.S. embassies’ thoughtless tweets, Michael Jackson’s Jews

A man dressed as Elmo from “Sesame Street” is shown yelling anti-Semitic slurs in New York’s Times Square, June 2012.

By Uri Fintzy, JTA

SIX DEGREES (NO BACON)/JEWISH CELEBRITY ROUNDUP

NEW YORK (6NoBacon) — Fans of Elmo no doubt were taken aback when a man wearing a costume of the beloved “Sesame Street” character replaced his cute and loving words with anti-Semitic slurs in some of New York’s main attractions and parks. Over the last few weeks the fake Elmo has been blaming “Jewish cops” for his inability to make money — those in giant costumes typically seek tourists’ donations in exchange for a photo — urging people to read anti-Semitic books and cursing Abe Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League. New York Police have removed the hateful Elmo from public areas, but he has yet to be arrested.

Perhaps this Elmo has watched Hamas’ Al-Aqsa TV station. About five years ago, its “Tomorrow’s Pioneers” show featured a giant mouse, bee, rabbit and bear explaining to children how dangerous Jews are. Maybe Elmo should have gone for an Oscar the Grouch outfit.

U.S. embassies (even Tel Aviv) tweet Henry Ford quotes

U.S. embassies have launched a new global campaign called “50 States in 50 Days,” and each day the embassies tweet facts and information about a different state. On Tuesday it was Michigan’s turn, and the person chosen to represent the state by the embassies (including the one in Tel Aviv) was Henry Ford, the father of the modern automobile — and an avid anti-Semite. The embassies chose the Ford quote “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently” rather than “If fans wish to know the trouble with American baseball, they have it in three words — too much Jew.” Go figure.

Joan Rivers quits Botox

The outspoken television personality Joan Rivers is known for having more than 700 plastic surgeries. However, Rivers dropped a bomb last week when she told Hoda and Kathie Lee of NBC’s “Today” that she decided to stop using Botox. The reason? Her stretched-out face made it too difficult to express any emotion. ”I couldn’t blow out the candles on my birthday cake,” she said — proof that while Rivers’ appearance may change, she no doubt will maintain her wit.

Matisyahu’s new music video

Matisyahu released the music video for his new single, “Sunshine,” which was filmed over a three-day shoot in Israel. Conveniently, “Sunshine” also describes the color of the soul-searching musician’s new bleach-blond hairdo. Matisyahu wrote all of his new album, “Spark Seeker,” in Israel, and has publicly expressed his desire to make aliyah.

Michael Jackson and the Jews

Monday was the third anniversary of Michael Jackson‘s passing, and throughout the years the “King of Pop” was involved with Jews and the Jewish community — for good and bad. Jackson was the first visitor to the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, and he was good friends with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach,now a congressional candidate in New Jersey, and Israeli illusionist Uri Geller. However, Jackson was accused of calling Jews “leeches” and using the saying “Jew me” in the lyrics of his song “They Don’t Care About Us.” Also, during Jackson’s visit to Israel in 1993, he wanted to show up to an Israeli military base dressed as an Israel Air Force officer — a no-no in Israeli law.

(For more Jewish celebrity news, visit 6nobacon.com, the illegitimate child of JTA.)

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