Russell Crowe Offers Aid to Montreal Jewish School (was fire bombed)

yahoo ^ | Tue Apr 27, 2:50 PM ET

[dennisw]

TORONTO (Reuters) - Tough guy actor Russell Crowe (news) was so upset by a fire-bombing at a Jewish elementary school in Montreal, he called the school to offer a donation to help rebuild its library, a school spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

Crowe is in Toronto to film "Cinderella Man," a film directed by Ron Howard (news) about the life of boxer James J. Braddock, who defeated world champion Max Baer in an upset match in 1935.

"It was a huge morale boost for the school community," said Shelley Paris from Montreal.

United Talmud Torahs elementary school was fire-bombed earlier this month and police said a note with anti-Semitic comments was found on the outside wall of the gutted library.

"He said he was very upset about what had happened that a place of learning should be attacked that way," Paris said.

"He wanted to make sure that our students knew that he was thinking about them and that he was very upset about the fire-bombing," Paris said.

The Academy Award-winning actor, who captured an Oscar for "Gladiator" four years ago, offered to make a donation to help rebuild the library, Paris said. The figure was not available.

Paris said the school hopes to reopen the library by August, the start of the new school year, and has received donations and support from across the country.

The arson attack sparked outrage in Canada and prompted a fierce condemnation from Prime Minister Paul Martin. The incident was one of a series of attacks on Jewish targets in Canada and raised concerns about a rise in anti-Semitism.

In March, vandals knocked over dozens of tombstones in a Jewish cemetery in Toronto while someone sprayed swastikas on a synagogue in a separate incident.

[wimpycat]

You smelled Russell Crowe? Do tell!

[Rummyfan]

Wow. Good on you Russell!

[luvbach1]

Not that surprising that it (the bombing) should happen in leftward-tilting Canada.An unholy alliance has been forged between the hard left and muslim extremists that is easy to observe at anti-American rallies world-wide.

[MsMoose]

Although I haven't smelled him, I did have the pleasure of meeting him briefly and shaking his hand after one of his band's concerts. Very nice, rediculously gracious to his fans, and gets an undeserved beating by the gossip press. I visited the set of A Beautiful Mind during filming, and after a grueling day of filming (yes, I know it's just acting, not rocket science) on an extremely hot day, he came out and signed autographs for every person waiting - of which there were at least 30! He did this every day during filming.

I'm mostly a lurker, but wanted to say something nice about Russell since everything you hear about him seems to be negative. It's all the VRHC (vast Russell-hating conspiracy) at work, I tell ya'!

PS - yes, I voted for Toomey today - hoping for the best!

[wimpycat]

He reminds me a lot of Robert Mitchum, in that he does his own thing, and doesn't go by Hollywood standards. Robert Mitchum was dope-smoking philanderer, BUT when he showed up on the set, (they say) he learned his lines, and treated everybody from the lowliest crew member to the up-and-coming young stars like a regular human being, and didn't act like he was too good to talk to anybody.

[radiohead]

As crazy as that sumb*tch is, there was something I always liked about him. He has an independent streak a mile wide, and this shows it clear.

Yep. Good on ya, Russell!

[WV Mountain Mama]

Don't worry, even with all the negative press, I always thought he was pretty smart and gooooooooooooood looking! I am a sucker for the tough, rugged type with a brain. How exciting that you got to meet him!

[MsMoose]

It was pretty exciting. Of course at the time, I had lost the bonding off of my front tooth, and looked just lovely. All I managed to get out, after he said "nice to meet ya'" in Australian, was "good show". Very eloquent, aren't I?

You think he's good looking on screen, he's doubly gorgeous in person. He has some kind of magnetism in person that's incredible.

Okay, I'll stop now. I'm just a little bit of a fan. : )

[MsMoose]

Yes, I think you're right. He does like to party, and is no choir boy, that's for sure. Although now that he's gotten married he's dissapointing us fans by being so BORING! : )

[Khurkris]

Good on ya, ya daff bugger.

(yeah, its me)

[NYC GOP Chick]

You smelled Russell Crowe? Do tell!

I met him when he just before Mystery, Alaska came out -- before he became super-famous and hard to meet -- and while we were talking, I noticed that he smelled as if he'd just showered and had that clean, masculine scent about him. And my legs just about turned to jelly when he said my name. :D

[MsMoose]

Oh, I'm jealous of that meeting! I mean, you actually got full sentences out? I'm lucky I even made eye contact!

[DoctorMichael]

A tip of the hat to Mr. Crowe.

[LisaMalia]

Be still my heart!

Seriously, as I am very picky these days with what entertainers get my money, I will consider RC one on my "to see" list.

[NYC GOP Chick]

Oh, I'm jealous of that meeting! I mean, you actually got full sentences out? I'm lucky I even made eye contact!

I'm usually pretty tongue-tied when it comes to these things, but I guess I just figured that it was my one shot to meet him and I didn't want to make a total fool out of myself. :) I brought one of his band's more obscure CDs with me, and he signed it. He looked a little surprised that a woman all the way in NYC had that one.

[NYC GOP Chick]

You have exquisite taste, my friend! :D

[MsMoose]

Have you ever seen the band live? The summer of 2001 my crazy friends and I saw them 3 times, in Chicago, Philly and NY. One of the best summers of my life. He's unbelievable on stage.

[NYC GOP Chick]

Nope, I never managed to do that. :(

But I *am* going to see The Who at Madison Square Garden next month, from seats fairly close to the stage! :D

[meowmeow]

...For the ladies (why should the guys get all the eye-candy posts?)

[JimSEA]

As a youngster, Gregory Peck in Hornblower was my Idol. I read the whole series. I am still a Peck fan but Crowe in Master and Commander was one of the truely great movies and great acting jobs I have ever seen.