A Southern California temple is trying to shame Mel Gibson into undoing a mess it created by taking out a jumbo loan on its synagogue -- a loan it can't afford to pay back.
Congregation Beth Shalom, located in Corona, sent Mel a letter -- obtained by TMZ -- in which it is requesting big money from the actor to prevent foreclosure.
Now here's the shameful part. In a move resembling a dude accosting you for money at a gas station, the letter reads in part, "Our proposal to you, Mr. Gibson, is since you have been cited as an Anti-Semitic, and have denied those allegations, what better way to prove to all your fans and the nay Sayers -- than to endorse and help raise funds for our cause -- SOS, Save Our Synagogue."
The letter ends with this: "Mr. Gibson, we offer you to be a Mensch and make a sizable contribution to our cause."
We know Gibson has contributed a fortune to a bunch of L.A. charities, including $5 million to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center -- a Jewish hospital.
Mel's rep tells TMZ ... he knows nothing about the request but wishes the temple all the best.
The real issue .... Who knew there were Jews in Corona?
A rep for the temple tells TMZ, "We weren't trying to shame Mel Gibson into giving us money. We are approaching many celebrities and people of the community as well. We thought because of his situation he would be very much interested in supporting our cause."
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What idiots. I say Mel uses some of his money to hire people to burn the place to the ground.
Bruce Williams and Congregation - Keeping it classy.
Extortion is a very ugly behavior! Just because Mel made some mistakes and has lot of money is no reason to justify shaking him down like that!
What makes them think he's got any money left? If he had some money he would be getting his 'Macabre' movie off the ground.
how typical of the jews. i'd give them nothing. bunch of vultures
Mel should tell them to f*ck off
and to go ask those Jews that run Hollywood
for help...
How would Mel caving to this latest round of blatant extortion equate to him being perceived as someone "who does great deeds and is respected"?
Congregation Beth Shalom - Save your own Synagogue.
This action (if true) is undignified beyond belief and does not reflect upon the members of the congregation at all well.
Shameful is right.
This had to come from tight-wad anti-semitic lil Mel lol... who else would chide a temple for soliciting donations from a filthy rich man like every other religious insitution & non-profit organization does?! A na^i never changes its swa^tika. Lmao.
Mel is quite wealthy, he should be gracious and make a donation... it'd be great PR, too!
Is there nothing more sacred than money? Nobody, should be surprised its always about money!
That is a new low. It is pathetic and embarresing to that church.
And what's up with one of those silly Jews having 'Shalom' for a last name? That'd be like me changing my name to Campy Hello.
This is shameful. And, it casts a bad light on the Jewish community. For shame, Congregation Beth Shalom.
The church needs to take responsibility for their own loan decisions and not push them on Mel Gibson. They have to rely on their collateral used against their loan. Also their letter was poorly written. Rather than ask politely, beg, negotiate, etc., their letter read more like a demand that money was OWED to them. Since when did extortion and religion go hand in hand? What an embarrassment to their congregation.
