When Harry Met Sally star Billy Crystal has been described as “a real mensch” after he made a large donation to Jerusalem’s Hebrew University.

The American Jewish actor, 62, has given a “substantial” amount to the institution’s Peace through the Performing Arts programme, which has run projects uniting Israeli and Palestinian students for more than a decade.

Canada’s most famous Jewish singer-songwriter has enjoyed five decades of success, and last year was honoured with a lifetime achievement Grammy.

Born in Montreal, his father Nathan owned a profitable clothing business. Nathan died when his son was nine and left his son enough inheritance money to pursue his creative ambitions.

For fashionable Brits, Gok Wan may be the flavour of the month. But in Israel, a new show from Trinny and Susannah means they are still the Middle East's fashion queens.

Style gurus Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine, who had success with BBC TV programmes, fashion advice books and an underwear range, will tour Israel dispensing fashion advice to the country's worst dressed, for a new TV show.

Sacha Baron Cohen is to take on the role of the legendary Queen singer Freddie Mercury.

The Ali G comedian will star in a film scripted by The Queen writer Peter Morgan.

Queen guitarist Brian May said Mr Baron Cohen had been interested in the role for some time

The film’s producer Graham King said: “With Sacha in the starring role, coupled with Peter's screenplay and the support of Queen, we have the perfect combination to tell the real story behind their success”.

"Justin prays the Shema before each show. First he says a Christian prayer, then he says the Shema.

"Justin heard me pray, he gets why I do it and now he does the same prayer every time before he goes on the stage.”

Neil Sedaka has promised he will serenade his Israeli fans in Hebrew when he performs in Tel Aviv next month.

The American Jewish singer-songwriter told The Jerusalem Post that he had already recorded some of hits in Hebrew.

The 71–year-old said: “I’m going to attempt to sing two songs in Hebrew – Oh, Carole and You Mean Everything To Me.”

At the age of 86 Lauren Bacall remains one of Hollywood’s leading ladies. Born in New York to European immigrants, her father left the family when she was five.

At 19 she appeared on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar and caught the attention of director Howard Hawks, who cast her in To Have and Have Not.

Like many Jewish actors of the time, she changed her name as she launched her career. Ms Perske became the less-overtly Jewish Ms Bacall, star of How to Marry a Millionaire and The Big Sleep.

Glee’s Jewish star has been named one of the world’s most fashionable women.

Lea Michele was voted fourth in People magazine’s annual "Best Dressed List".

According to the magazine, the actress is “hitting all the right notes with her red carpet choices, including glamorous gowns from Zac Posen and Malandrino.”

Last year, Tobi Rubinstein-Schneier bought her husband Rabbi Marc Schneier an endangered Asian lion as a 50th birthday present.

This year, it is the high-flying, 51-year-old rabbi's career that is endangered as his wife files for divorce in a bitter lawsuit.

Rabbi Schneier is being accused of an affair with a woman in her thirties, which resulted in her pregnancy. As a result of the allegations, the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), the world's largest Orthodox rabbinical group, is now considering expelling him from their organisation.

Suzy and Justin Kennedy enjoyed unexpected celebrity congratulations at their recent marriage.

American actress Whoopi Goldberg, who is starring in the West End musical Sister Act, had just returned to her London hotel, Claridge's, when she ran into the newlyweds on their way to the reception.

"She said she was sure she would not be the only Goldberg at the wedding," said Justin.