As Performer and As Jew, Patinkin Has Strong Views Mandy Patinkin in 1993. (Eric Robert/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images) Advertisement One Jewish celebrity missing from last week’s star- studded Hollywood tribute to Israel’s 50th birthday was Mandy Patinkin. The quintessentially Jewish performer has a strong point of view when it comes to his Jewish life. In this case, it was politics that kept him away. He declined an invitation to participate in the tribute, which was co-hosted by Kevin Costner and Michael Douglas, because he is deeply opposed to the current Israeli government’s attitudes toward the Middle East peace process.