“Borat” star Sacha Baron Cohen is finding himself in the unpleasant position of being caught between his traditional Jewish parents and his modern working mom fiancee, actress Isla Fisher. The pair have been engaged for quite some time and now have a daughter, Olive. However, Cohen’s parents- particularly his mother- have insisted that the couple cannot wed until Isla has converted to Judaism. But Isla has been focused on her baby and burgeoning film career, putting her Jewish studies on the back burner- which means the wedding, originally scheduled for late summer, is now postponed indefinitely.
A source said: ‘Isla was supposed to spend her time after giving birth hard at work on her Torah studies, and that’s gone far slower than expected.
‘It’s very much frustrated her future in-laws, especially Sacha’s mother, who were really hoping for a wedding this summer.’
The source added: ‘Right now there’s no wedding date set because Isla hasn’t fully converted yet, and even though she’s working at it part-time, she’s far from being close to completing her studies.’
Isla, who has spent most of this summer filming her upcoming project Confessions Of A Shopaholic, is said to have a tense relationship with Sacha’s mother, Daniella.
The source said: ‘What made relations difficult between Isla and Sacha’s mother is that she really wanted Isla to spend more time with the baby and their family in England instead of being hasty and returning to work so quickly.
‘Now that Isla’s done shooting, she’s in the awkward position of making up for lost time.’
To this end, the Australian-born actress, who found fame in Home And Away in the Nineties, is spending increasing amounts of time with her in-laws in Britain, in an apparent effort to endear herself to them.
Meanwhile the notoriously reclusive Baron Cohen, 36, is patiently playing peacemaker between his wife and mother.
Instead of wedding preparations, he has channelled his energies into work, chalking up long hours on his new reality-based film Bruno, which has nearly completed filming and will be released worldwide next summer.
The source said: ‘Sacha is not as worried about the relationship between his parents and Isla as everyone else is because he’s extremely devoted to her and their child.
‘He also believes that putting too much pressure on Isla is only going to make the wedding happen later rather than sooner.
‘He is happy taking his time to get married the same way he was happy having a long engagement.
‘But in the meantime Isla’s had to endure a lot of awkward moments with Sacha’s mother, who just doesn’t seem to understand her future daughter-in-law’s drive to become a big star.’
For Isla’s part, the actress is said to be looking forward to becoming a Cohen.
The source said: ‘No matter what Sacha’s mother throws at her, Isla isn’t going to be scared away from the relationship or the family.
‘You really get the sense that her devotion to Sacha is total, even if she’s stalled a little bit on her Jewish studies. She loves sharing her life with this guy.’
That mother sounds like a nightmare. And if Sacha were smart he’d put her in her place and make it clear that HE’S the one getting married to Isla, not the rest of the family. It’s setting a dangerous precedent to let the parents dictate the terms of the marriage, because then it never stops. Best of luck to Isla, and I hope the couple can work this out.
Photo credit: Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher are shown at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Mortons on 2/25/07, thanks to Dimitri Halkidis for WENN.
I have some friends who have been engaged for 2 1/2 years for this exact same reason! What a pain. But I can see the moms’ points…
Wedding postponed… for like the tenth time. Isla, honey, he’s not going to marry you. His mother is just the reason this month. Get out now!
sounds like she has a mother-in-law from hell in the making.
My brother’s wife is Jewish and he didn’t convert. Am I missing something here?
your mother isn’t a nag daisy? 😉
And MSat… stand up to his mother? Bless your naive cotton socks 😆
Daisy,
To answer your question, it is different because it’s your brother’s wife and not him thats Jewish. Unless I’m mistaken, the mother of the child has to be Jewish for the child to be accepted into the faith. I don’t know if this is an Orthodox rule or not, but I’m pretty sure it’s common.
This goes back a long time before DNA testing, when it was impossible to guarantee who a child’s father is, but it’s pretty apparent who the mother is.
If they’re as orthodox as this article makes it look, that could be a huge problem for them.
interfering, judgemental old bag needs to butt the hell out.
Isla take the kid an run, this is a just an example of how she is going to run your lives for you.
I find converting hypocritical if you have no other reason than you are marring a jew/muslim/catholic/scientolowhore whatever. Converting to a religion should be about your personal beliefs and your choice alone. Not the choice of someone else’s mother.
Well said, Ron!
As far as I understand Judaism (which is very sketchy at best) Sacha’s mother is probably pushing so hard because that’s how the religion (and traditions) are passed down. You’re not technically Jewish unless your mother is. So she probably wants to make sure her future grandbabies are all Jewish, and in order to do that, Isla must convert.
🙂 Mairead. My mother was a Catholic.
Okay, after reading Because I say so’s post, I get it.
Someone has to put the old bag in her place.If it’s not going to be him she should dump his ass quick!!!!!! No way would I put up with this crap-for a minute.
Borat was the unfunniest thing I’ve ever sat through. His humor is loud crude and dumb.
Men are complete babies when it comes to their moms, my mother-in-law made my wedding experience dreadful, and not once did my husband tell her to cut the bull! My sincerest wish is that when my son gets married, i take it with alot more easy on the girl.
I find her to be gorgeous and him to be oddly sexy.
I hope they can figure something out.
And isn’t a moot point what religion who is, since there’s already a baby?
Thanks Scott 🙂
My mother-in-law tried (many times) to voice her “concerns” about me because I’m Catholic (he’s Protestant).
I knew my husband was the one for me when he told her in no uncertain terms to piss off.
im marrying a muslim man whose family all lives in Iran and whose mother is pretty religious, but never once has anyone said anything to me about me needing to be a muslim first. i am not sure what will happen when we have babies, but since im of no particular faith, i don’t have a problem with any rituals or rites or prayers that need to be said in order to please his side of the family. if they can be tolerant of me being an infidel, I can be tolerant of their desire to make sure the children have all the necessary cultural and ceremonial equipment to make them happy
In Judaism, a child’s ties to the faith comes from its mother. If the mother isn’t Jewish, then he/she cannot be Jewish. My mother had to convert when she married my father, and as a result, I was born Jewish (to a Korean mother…HAH!).
In reality, if Isla and Sasha want to get married, they can. It just won’t be blessed by the Temple, and their child will have to undergo studies in order to become part of the faith, as opposed to simply being born into it. It’s much like being Mormon, only without the magic underwear.
Making a baby with her is okay but his religion prevents him from marrying her until she converts? What a crock.
They should BOTH become Buddhists. That’ll fix EVERYONE’s wagon. I’m sorry but religion just doesn’t seem to be important anymore. It causes riffs between cultures and families. People should just be concerned with morals and values. Intent is the greater issue here. As we move into the future I believe textbook religion will become obsolete. Unitarian beliefs will serve all of us better.
Stories like this made me very glad I eloped. I have controlling in-laws and it made life so much easier doing our own thing.
Someone above said that Isla is gorgeous and he is sexy – I second that.
Sacha already has a child with his girlfriend, and I am assuming that the child is not considered “Jewish” but virtue of Isla’s religious affiliation. If she converts, would the baby’s affiliation change?
Oh dear daisyfly…you owe me for the paper towels I had to retrieve to clean the keyboard and screen on the magic underwear comment….actually, I’ll call it even because my life is better for it on account of the laughter! You go girl!
SO ridiculous. My sister-in-law is Jewish and my brother was Catholic. He didin’t convert! They’re raising their son Jewish only because like me, I think organized religion only causes problems and separates people (case in point with Isla), and so it doesn’t matter to him.
I think it is UNBELIEVABLE that the parents would insist she become Jewish before they marry. Who the fuck are they to tell their THIRTY-SIX year old son what to do?????
Silliness, pure and simple. Since when is what is symbolic more important than what is actually real? Oh yeah, since forever.
In Judaism conversion requires a commitment to around 613 commandmants. If someone really wants to do that then it’s good for them but if they aren’t interested then they just need to be accepted for who they are.
If I told you about my mother-in-law you’d never believe me. I feel for Isla, her life will never be her own once they’re married. I doubt it even is now, unless she’s away at her job. Men really can’t see when their mothers are mentally torturing their wives. I think they can’t fathom that they’re perfect mommy can be less than reasonable, or they are too scared of making mommy mad due to all the mad guilt that would ensue forever. Sorry to go on, I’m living in in-law hell now. The father-in-law is cool, though.
I totally thought they were already married! 😯
Thankfully even when I tell my boyfriend to lay off his mom he still puts her in her place. She’d be a very pushy mother-in-law if we were to get married, so at least I can take some comfort in knowing I won’t have to fight with him about standing up to her.
Magic underwear?!?! I must have missed that factoid about Mormonism!!
It doesn’t matter how old he is, if he himself is a devout Jew, then there are rules he has to follow. I don’t believe in organized religion either, but people who do have to follow the rules
I can empathize with Cohen. I’ve been caught in the crossfire of an interfaith wedding, my parents attempting to be the controlling ones. It’s hard being caught in the middle, and unless you’ve experienced that position, I don’t think you can judge him, or say that he doesn’t love Isla or want to marry her.
I don’t get this. I’m not trying to disrespect Judaism, but I never quite understood Jews that were ok with dating non-Jews, were ok with pro-creating with them, but when it came to marriage all of a sudden turned back into little boys. I understand it’s tough for Cohen bc he’s stuck between two people he loves, but he’s a grown adult, and he has to be decisive and make his own decisions. NOT knock up your loyal girlfriend only to put your mother first later on.
How pathetic. He’d make endless fun of someone so narrow minded.
Muslim men can marry non-muslim women, but muslim women cannot marry non-muslim men.
That is because men is the only ones who has any value. The woman has no influence whatsoever, therefore it’s of no importance what she believes in.
And the children will of course follow the father in every way. They will be muslims, and will belong to him, also after a divorce.
he is so unfunny. but he’s kind of cute in these pics.
HE must come from a very Orthodox background. I know lots of jewish married to non jewish couples and none of them had to convert to jewish religion.
Cohen should explain the facts to his mother and marry this woman. If he, at his age, is still bowing to Mama’s rules and demands he won’t ever change.
If Ilsa thinks she has in law trouble now, wait until she gives birth to a boy.
Oy!
re daisygirl, magic underwear not only are you a bigot but not very funny
Dee, yes, I presume they’re religious and therefore want her to convert. Indeed secular Jews don’t mind who they marry, or keep kosher, etc.
Any child under the age of 3 will be considered Jewish too, after the mother converts.
Personally I think it hypocrite; I feel you should convert to a religion because you feel drawn to it and want to live you life by it.
And he needs to nip it in the butt, with his mom, or else she will be all over this marriage and he and his wife will not have a life.
❓ i still don’t get it…
>> It’s much like being Mormon, only without the magic underwear.
Note to self: Must work this into conversation today.
“re daisygirl, magic underwear not only are you a bigot but not very funny”
I don’t think she’s a bigot, just incredibly ignorant. People can be very insensitive and hurtful when they don’t realize that there are people who regard those things as being very sacred and in no way something to joke about.
Why is it that when someone isn’t religious, they feel the need to talk about how pointless religion is, and people should be respected for their personal morals and values, but then in the same sentence, feel it’s okay to completely mock other people’s personal morals and values that are religiously centered.
Here’s the thing, if Isla in the beginning chose to commit to converting– then she accepted his family and their culture. That was her decision.
See, I don’t think its anyone’s “fault”. The wedding is pushed back, big deal. They are committed to each other & thats wonderful. So its going to take longer than they intially thought. Its not like Judaism is going anywhere…
And I still don’t understand why “magic underwear” is funny or offensive. Can someone please fill me in?
Jody & Caligirl – Daisygirl was just making a fact-based joke. If you guys are really Mormon (which I suspect you are), you know that Mormonism used to dictate what kind of underwear devout Mormons should wear. Daisygirl is not a bigot. Her joke was the equivalent of saying “Good luck getting drunk on your horrible wine, Jews.” See that? Pointing out that Jewish wine is horrible doesn’t make me an anti-Semite. Pointing out that Mormons have magic underwear isn’t bigotry.
“If you guys are really Mormon (which I suspect you are), you know that Mormonism used to dictate what kind of underwear devout Mormons should wear.”
Kaiser–You clearly are not Mormon, and still know nothing, and I mean absolutely zero, of what you’re writing. Don’t tell others about their own religion, that’s just plain stupid. I don’t feel the need to explain (sorry Bodhi), because like I said before, it’s something very sacred, and I choose not to discuss it so flippantly. To be honest, I’m not even a full blown practicing member, I obviously smoke herb and then chose to marry a (non practicing)Catholic.
I can take a joke, and have taken many in the past. I don’t feel like I need to defend myself as an open-minded individual, but there’s nothing wrong with showing restraint when you don’t know what you’re talking about, especially because there are many around that may. That’s all I’m saying. I’ve had to learn this lesson myself.
Also, I never said she was a bigot– in fact, I clearly said daisy wasn’t a bigot.
Jody –
My comments were directed at you and caligirl (who called her a bigot) – sorry if the association upset you.
And you’re right. I’m not Mormon. But I can read. Now, you try:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_garment
Have you guys seen “Definitely, Maybe” yet? I loved Isla in it…Ryan Renolds isn’t too bad either.
It is so like real life with stories of unrequited love, stars not aligning and ignoring love when it is staring you in the face.
Oh, snap! I found another good one…
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Magic+Underwear
Why are so many men afraid to stand up to their mothers??
Well, I’m more frightened of Mormons than any other religion. I know not all Mormons are fanatical – but sheesh…they’re spooky.
Huh. Interesting…
Jody- No worries
There are a few things that I don’t really like to discuss either
A lot of you gentiles do not even realize that there is a Jewish Hierarchy–the two most important names in the Jewish people are Cohen and Levy.
Bearing the name indicates that the ancestors of a person so named were priests in the Temple of Jerusalem.
Being a Cohen also imposes some limitations, however; by Jewish religious law a Cohen may not marry a divorced woman (only a single woman or a widow) and may not marry someone who converted to Judaism.
Kaiser– I’m saying that regardless of what you’ve read, you don’t understand garments and their significance. So why comment. what’s the point. This topic is very hard to discuss in detail because it is very connected with other precepts and other very scared things to the LDS faith.
I’m sorry for getting so defensive though, that was uncalled for– and I apologize.
Valarie- So they couldn’t get married even if she converted?
Oh For Pete’s Sake! What is it with some guys and their mothers? Damn! There is NOTHING less sexy than a guy who wears his Oedipal Complex on his sleeve.
Isla .. move the hell on. You want this woman telling you what to do for the rest of you life?? And can you imagine how he will be when she dies? I have an ex who literally was so bad he dove onto his Mothers coffin at the Wake and again at the Funeral. Needless to say .. we didn’t last and he eventually went away to “rest.”
Ugh .. No Thank You!
Oh give me a break with the bigot/ignorance thing.
Mormons wear sacred underwear, Jews wear yarmulkes, Russian Orthodox women wear babushkas. I could have said the same thing in reverse, too. “It’s just like being Jewish only without the Yarmulke.” Stating either doesn’t make me a bigot. It doesn’t make me a religion basher, an atheist, or anything else you’d like to call me. As quick as both of you were to jump to conclusions because you saw something you didn’t like, you’re sure slow on the uptake.
Both faiths, when adhered to strictly as the faith commands and demands, require that those whom are not a part of said faith not be allowed to take part in sacred sacraments in their temples. When a child marries in temple, for example, the parent who is NOT part of the faith CANNOT attend. It’s one of the MAIN reasons why so many mixed faith marriages to those of the Jewish faith occur outdoors. MINE was.
Sasha probably wants to get married in Temple, and in order to do that, Isla has to be Jewish. If he just wants her to be his wife, they’ll get married somewhere else.
Yeah, Isla, leave the father of your child whom you love dearly cos his mother is passionate about their FAMILY faith.
If this article were about her taking their baby and leaving SBC because he wanted her to convert, half of you would be harping about how she was splitting up their family over something as ridiculous as religion on paper.
What’s the point of getting married? He’s already getting the milk for FREE!!! No morals whatsoever!
Mum probably keeps Sasha’s foreskin on the mantle in a bottle of vinegar.
Thanks, that wasvery interesting. I was born in Moscow in 1967 but my mother and I fled the country and came here to the UK. Truthfully, I didnt really care much about my russian past until my mum died recently, now I’ve been trying to find out as much as I can. Seemed like the food was as good a place as any to start ! You dont generally hear much about russian cooking do you? Anyway, I found a a good russian recipe site here that your readers might be interested in .