Oy vey, talk about a big miz-take.
Isaac Mizrahi was hawking his shirts, boots and bags Saturday on QVC during his show, “Isaac Mizrahi Live.” The only problem is the popular Jewish designer now has the city’s Jewish community in an uproar, since he was furiously working and tweeting on Yom Kippur.
“He’s created a big stir in the community by selling his goods on Yom Kippur. It’s the holiest day on the Jewish calendar,” a source tells Confidenti@l.
Mizrahi, 51, is from an observant Jewish family and is an alumnus of Brooklyn’s Yeshiva of Flatbush, a Modern Orthodox private Jewish school in Midwood.
After he made a name for himself in fashion, he co-wrote 2003’s two-part historical documentary “Kingdom of David: The Saga of the Israelites,” which, according to PBS’ description, is “dedicated to the thesis that the Israelites and the Jewish faith changed human history as much as any empire that ever existed.”
But now Mizrahi faces backlash, with one prominent Jewish media honcho telling us the decision to work was a slap in the face.
“There is talk of many Jews boycotting his products because of his outlandish appearance on his show,” the source tells us.
Mizrahi was not on air Friday before or after sundown — when Yom Kippur officially began. But the holiday stretches 24 hours, and the designer was active on Twitter and appeared live on TV before sundown on Saturday, a period when observant Jews are supposed to refrain from work of any kind.
The designer started his Saturday promoting an appearance with fellow QVC host Leah Williams, writing: “Where is @LeahWilliamsQVC? These are her shoes. Gorgeous driving mocs all leather @QVC on air 9 AM-ish.”
He later tweeted: “Tune in @QVC this morning for @LeahWilliamsQVC and I. Fabulous accessories all day! #drivingshoe #watch.”
A non-Jewish source who knows the gist of Yom Kippur said she was shocked when she tuned in around 3 p.m. and saw Mizrahi on the air.
“I saw him on Saturday, Yom Kippur. Sigh,” she said.
The well-respected author Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, known as “America’s Rabbi,” weighed in on why the Jewish community is upset.
“It seems now G-d isn’t going to be one of his customers, because it is a pretty big account to lose,” Boteach told us. “Modern people have to learn to put values before money, and if Sandy Koufax could give up the World Series for Yom Kippur, then Isaac Mizrahi could give up a few hours of hawking some of his wares.”
Reps for Mizrahi and QVC did not get back to us with comment by deadline.
CRYSTAL MEETS CITIZEN LAME
“Citizen Kane” star Orson Welles once cursed out comic Billy Crystal for simply approaching him, the funnyman told Whoopi Goldberg in an interview at the 92nd St. Y on Sunday.
Crystal said he was backstage at a comedy roast when he saw Welles and felt an urge to let the cinema legend know he was a big fan who had studied film at NYU.
“I approached him and said ‘Mr. Welles, I just want to say …’ and before I could continue he cut me off and said, ‘What? That I was an innovator of film? Thank you very much and go f— yourself,’ ” Crystal said.
Following the roast, Crystal had dinner with actor Christopher Guest and recounted the story. “Chris said, ‘You should have said, that’s actually not what I wanted to say. I wanted to say you’re a big fat f— who peaked when he was 24,’ ” laughed Crystal.
‘ROMEO’ HAS STAR-CROSSED CROWD
Broadway’s “Romeo and Juliet” drew ex-Romeo Leonardo DiCaprio. The “Romeo + Juliet” film’s star took in a preview of the play, starring his pal Orlando Bloom, at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Friday. Also spotted in the audience recently were Robert Downey Jr., Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning and Harvey Fierstein. “I came to the play very open-minded,” Bloom had told The News this week. “Aside from Baz Luhrmann’s fantastic film I’d not seen movies of ‘Romeo and Juliet.’”
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THICKE BRINGS NOTABLE AID
GQ will throw its first-ever Gentleman Give Back concert for music-lovers who want to make the world a better place — while hearing performances by Robin Thicke and DJ Ruckus. The Oct. 23 show at the Highline Ballroom on W. 16th St. will raise cash for charities including Doctors Without Borders, Recycle Across America and Art of Elysium. “It’s going to be an evening to remember, benefiting a tremendous cause, so I’m thrilled to be a part of it,” Thicke said.
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JOEY DIDN’T MAKE THE PLAY
“Sopranos” star Joey “Pants” Pantoliano just got stripped of his pinstripes. Pants was to begin performances as Yogi Berra in the Off-Broadway play “Bronx Bombers,” about the Yankees, but was tossed out of the game by director Eric Simonson at the bottom of the ninth, due to “creative differences.” However, Pants told us: “When you do a play there’s a lot of emotions involved. It wasn’t my decision to leave. Creatively speaking, I thought the play deserved more heart.”
GWEN HELPS THE FALL GUY
Somehow when we picture someone barefoot and pregnant, this isn’t what we had in mind. A shocked Gwen Stefani, 43, tended to son Zuma, 5, after he tumbled off his scooter in a Santa Monica playground Monday. The rocker mom was quick to react, running over to comfort her son then fetching ice for his boo-boos. Stefani better be used to this song and dance — baby number three is due next spring.
BRAND NEW GIRLFRIEND
Meet kooky comedian Russell Brand’s “nerdish, whirling dervish” of a girlfriend. The 38-year-old British funnyman used those words to describe new gal pal Jemima Khan, 39, an associate editor at the New Statesman who famously dated Hugh Grant from 2004-07. The two were spotted parading around the East Village, Brand in his typically eccentric ensemble and Khan in a wrinkled white button-down and body-hugging jeans.
LILO’S NEW SCENE
Lindsay Lohan wears sobriety well. The actress smiled as she took in a smoke and some shopping in SoHo Monday, dressed in pants that were mostly leather with a touch of denim. The recently rehabbed star made a purchase at Kiki De Montparnasse and chatted on the phone before meeting her father Michael for an afternoon chat.
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GRENIER FLOORS IT
Adrian Grenier didn’t need an “Entourage” when he hit up SoHo hotspot Goldbar Sunday night for nightlife impresario Jonny Lennon’s legendary Funday party. The actor was accompanied by a few friends and spent most of the evening dancing by a table in the back of the club. “He was dancing with one sexy brunette,” says our spywitness. “He was tearing up the dance floor.”
SEEN AND HEARD ...
Jeff Zucker hitting the after-party for the play “Harmony” in Atlanta after popping into CNN’s headquarters. … Restaurateur Phil Suarez at Chelsea Piers Lighthouse setting up shop for the Police Athletic League’s SportsNite fund-raising dinner on Thursday. … Former Newser Jo Piazza will host a book signing for “Love Rehab: A Novel in Twelve Steps,” Wednesday night at C. Wonder SoHo. … Sextuplet parents Mia and Rozonno McGhee, who won Internet fame and landed a big interview on Oprah’s network, enjoying a meal at Philip Marie on Hudson Street.
‘WENDY’ EYES FAB 50
“The Wendy Williams Show” returned for its fifth season Monday with the talk queen’s bigwigs, big mouth and big ambitions. The 49-year-old TV host promises she’s “ready to bring the fabulousness” — and is already thinking about that next milestone. “This year is all about the No. 5,” Williams said. “The crew and I are celebrating our fifth year on-air and for the past 18 months I’ve been getting in shape, working towards my half century.” This season the show has an opener with upbeat new music and has expanded its “Hot Topics” gossip segment.
REVEALING WINTOUR LOOK
Safe to say “streaker” wasn’t the look Anna Wintour was going for. The Vogue editor was ready for rain at London Fashion Week in a long Burberry trenchcoat, which unfortunately made her appear to be naked underneath. Wintour, whose iconic bob stayed intact, sported the coat to a screening of “Handprint” at the W London in Leicester Square with Karl Lagerfeld’s creative consultant Amanda Harlech. The duo were spotted chatting with the movie’s director, Mary Nighy.
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