We know him as the 'mean' media mogul and creator of super reality TV shows X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, but what you may not know is that Simon Cowell is also Jewish!
Although Simon was raised as a Roman Catholic, his father Eric was Jewish – as happens to be his girlfriend and marriage choice, Lauren Silverman.
According to a report by British tabloid The Mirror, Simon plans on embracing the Jewish faith for Lauren, and is even planning a secret trip to Israel. But the cat's out the bag and it's Mazel Tov all around!
And a charitable (and minted) Simon is already doing his bit to support his “Jewish homeland”; the X Factor boss donated £100,000 in cash to the Friends of Israel Defense Forces at a U.S. fundraiser gala in Beverly Hills.
Silverman, 36, is expecting the 54-year-old's baby in February next year. Contrary to some reports, The Mirror sets the record straight on rumors of an absentee father -- that Simon does plan on being by Lauren's side at the time of the birth, and has even booked a £12K-a-night private hospital in the U.S. for the anticipated day of birth.
Father fever
A source told the Mirror on Thursday: “Simon is getting increasingly excited about becoming a daddy."
“He really is embracing fatherhood and wants to be the first person to cradle his new-born son. He is open to reason on the subject of religion and the faith in which his son is brought up.
“But he is naturally inquisitive and really wants to visit Israel so that he can make a more informed decision.”
The couple weren't secretive about the sex of the baby – it's a boy – but Simon won't spill the beans on the baby's first name. He did however give away the boy's middle name: it will be Eric, after Si's late father.
The dad-to-be already has a nickname for his little bundle of joy. After seeing the first ultrasound scan of the baby, he nicknamed him Tad – because he thinks his light lad looks like a tadpole.
Once the celebrity boy comes into the world, the couple will move into Cowell's West London mansion, where Julie, Simon's mum, will greet her grandson.
The TV boss was recently asked how he plans to ensure that his son grows up with a British accent.
He joked: “I said to Lauren, ‘What if I just play me on tape while the baby is sleeping so he can hear me?’
“And his first words will be, 'You’re absolutely useless’.”
The Last "Horah"
It was also reported that Cowell was considering taking traditional Israeli dancing lessons in preparation for his upcoming nuptials to Silverman.
And word just in, he's met the inlaws and it's all kosher as he milks the parental stamp of approval. And another thing, the couple plan to have their baby in the Big Apple rather than the Big Smoke, say news sources, dispelling original announcements of the London birth venue.
