Natalie Portman Can't Decide on Jewish Issue  7/10/06

Natalie Portman is keen to teach her future children about her Jewish religion, but she struggles to meet the right Jewish man.

The Leon actress was born in Israel, but her family emigrated to America when she was just three, and she finds her interest in the ancient religion wanes when she is not in the middle eastern country.

"A priority for me is definitely that I'd like to raise my kids Jewish, but the ultimate thing is to have someone who is a good person and who is a partner... I get much more Jewish in Israel."

But her father is still very much in touch with his roots - and he loves to make jokes at the expense of her gentile boyfriends.

She adds, "He always makes this stupid joke with my new boyfriend, who is not Jewish. He says, 'It's just a simple operation.'"