Keith Hudson, an evangelical minister, has issued an apology after two organizations that promote the fight against anti-Semitism said he made reference to stereotypes about Jewish people during the service in Westlake.
The Anti-Defamation League and the Simon Wiesenthal Center both said that Hudson told worshippers, "You know how to make the Jew jealous? Have some money, honey. You go to L.A. and they own all the Rolex and diamond places. Walk down a part of L.A. where we live and it is so rich it smells. You ever smell rich? They are all Jews, hallelujah! Amen."
Both organizations denounced the comments, with the founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center saying in a statement, "If you take out 'L.A.' from his rant, most people would guess that Hitler or Goebbels was speaking."
The national director for the ADL said in a separate statement, "Katy Perry is blameless for her parents' behavior, and it is unfortunate that her good name is now attached to her father's words."
Hudson has since apologized for what he calls "hurtful and ugly language." In a statement posed on the ADL website, Hudson said, "I used images about Jews rooted in the worst anti-Semitism in the past, images that at times led to the persecution and murder of Jews. I can't tell you where I picked up phrases and descriptions that became part of my vocabulary. I used them without ever considering what they meant."
Hudson and his wife and fellow minister, Mary Hudson, also alluded to their daughter's impending divorce from Russell Brand during their services in Westlake.
Mary reportedly joked, "I'm sure that Katy's trending on the Internet was to get you here to church tonight."
