From Hollywood to the Holy Land

Sharon Stone discovered Israel while following her instinct, shortly before her much discussed movie "Basic Instinct 2" hit theaters worldwide.

Fellow movie star Richard Gere visited Israel several times in an effort to promote peace in the region.

Madonna followed her belief in Kabbalah straight to the source, and after several visits to the Holy Land, is now looking for a suitable home in the trendy town of Rosh Pina.

The list of recognizable names and faces goes on and on: Sting was recently in Israel and already plans a return visit. Chris Noth, "Mr. Big" of "Sex and the City" fame, relaxed by the Dead Sea, dined in Tel Aviv and toured Jerusalem during a brief hiatus from his busy schedule.

Natalie Portman, not only visits Israel frequently, but also reconnected with her Israeli roots by spending a whole semester studying at the Hebrew University. Ewan McGregor recently vacationed in Israel with his family, and Jim Carrey surprised his Israeli fans when he crossed from Egypt into Israel.

Will Smith, aka the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” and his wife Jada Pinkett, were in Jordan when they decided they could not pass over visiting Jerusalem. The family crossed the border to spend the Passover and Easter season in the Holy Land. They placed a wish note among the stones of the Wailing Wall, visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and even "schmoozed" with the outgoing minister of tourism, Avraham Hirschson, and other dignitaries.

18 May 2006