On October 28, 2013, Paula Abdul arrived in Israel for the first time. The main focus on her trip was her bat mitzvah ceremony, a Jewish coming of age ritual traditionally done at the age of 12 or 13.  

Abdul was born on June 19, 1962, in San Fernando, California. A singer, dancer, actress, choreographer, and television personality, she has won a Grammy and two Emmys and is a multi-platinum recording artist.  

Abdul had always dreamed of visiting Israel. She once said, “My father is a Syrian Jew whose family immigrated to Brazil. My mother is Canadian with Jewish roots. My dream is to go to Israel for a real holiday” (Jewish Press). On October 28, 2013, she arrived in Israel for the first time.  

On her first day in Israel, Abdul met with Israeli President Shimon Peres, who said, “As a matter of fact I’m very jealous. Because two things: I have had my Bar Mitzvah, you didn’t. So, you have something to look forward [to]. Secondly, I speak and you sing. Believe me, better singing than speaking” (Jewish News One). 

Abdul had ten days in Israel, during which she relished the opportunity to sightsee and meet with Israel's fashion, dance, music, and culinary leaders. She was excited to take a trip solely to be a tourist and connect with her roots.  

But the main event of Abdul’s trip was her belated bat mitzvah ceremony. She initially intended for the ceremony to take place at the Kotel in the Old City of Jerusalem. When the public became aware of this plan, Abdul switched the location to the International Centre for Kabbalah in Tzafat, in northern Israel. She became very emotional during the private ceremony.  

Abdul’s father, who passed away in 2019, had Alzheimer's disease at the time but became rejuvenated when Abdul told him about her time in Israel. Abdul described her time in Israel as “the most magnificent trip [she had] ever taken... magical and emotional” (Daily Mail).  

Sources: 

“American Idol's Paula Abdul Celebrates Bat Mitzvah in Israel.” The Jewish News, March 28, 2014. https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/paula-abdul-celebrates-bat-mitzvah-israel/. 

Ben-Gedalyahu, Tzvi. “Paula Abdul to Celebrate Bat Mitzvah at Age 51 at Western Wall.”  The JewishPress.com, October 28, 2013. Accessed March 15, 2023. https://www.jewishpress.com/news/paula-abdul-to-celebrate-bat-mitzvah-at-age-51-at-western-wall/2013/10/28/.  

Dougall, David Mac. “Paula Abdul Connects to Her Jewish Roots on Tourist Trip to Israel.” Daily Mail, November 4, 2013. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2486981/Paula-Abdul-connects-Jewish-roots-tourist-trip-Israel.html.  

Dougall, David Mac. “Paula Abdul Connects to Jewish Roots in Israel.” AP NEWS, November 3, 2013. https://apnews.com/article/2d400947c46b468d9f5dd9adc32c339a.  

“Paula Abdul.” Accessed March 15, 2023. http://www.paula-abdul.com/about-paula-abdul.html.  

Press, Viva Sarah. “Paula Abdul to Celebrate Bat-Mitzvah in Israel.” ISRAEL21c, October 29, 2013. https://www.israel21c.org/paula-abdul-to-celebrate-bat-mitzvah-in-israel/.