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Drake's Bar Mitzah Video Controversy: Temple Israel President Says Clip 'Not Consistent' With Jewish Reform Congregation (VIDEO)

Temple Israel: Drake's Bar Mitzvah Video Not So Kosher
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Drake’s bawdy re-bar mitzvah-themed music video for new single “HYFR (Hell Yeah F----ing Right)” may have more than 1.6 million YouTube views, but the president of the Miami temple at which it was filmed wasn't entirely thrilled on closer inspection.

After initially telling the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that the clip was "an embracing of religious passage," Temple Israel president Ben Kuehne took a listen to the lyrics ("I took her for sushi/she wanted to f---") and shortly changed his tune:

“The complete video is certainly not consistent with Temple Israel's longstanding history and reputation as a progressive voice in the Jewish Reform movement," Kuehne told JTA. "Temple Israel does not adopt, condone, or sponsor any aspect of the Drake video, and was not involved in its production."

Watch the video above (Warning: strong language).

With staged scenes shot partly inside Temple Israel's sanctuary in October, the video follows the Jewish Canadian rapper as he "recreates" his bar mitzvah, this time with rappers DJ Khaled and Lil’ Wayne and lyrics presumably more racy than anything played at his original bash in Toronto. (Little Drake, who is shown on home video saying, "Mazel tov!" and dancing, wasn't available for confirmation.)

Still, Kuehne told JTA he hoped the video would reinvigorate young believers in their faith: “Jewish youth will see the Drake video at least in part as a reminder to ‘re-commit' themselves to their Jewish religion," he said.

Drake, who is half black and half Jewish, told Heeb magazine that he attended Jewish school and grew up in a Jewish neighborhood in Toronto.

However, his "Jewishness" has come into question. Orthodox rapper Matisyahu told TMZ last year that while Drake might be the better rapper, "He's Jewish but he's not representing Judaism. He happens to be Jewish, just like Bob Dylan happens to be Jewish, just like anyone happens to be Jewish."

SLIDESHOW: Celebrities you didn't know where Jewish:

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Before You Go

Drake(01 of10)
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Aubrey "Drake" Graham was born to an African American father and a Jewish Canadian mother. Before he was breaking hearts and topping charts, the Young Money star attended a Jewish day school and had a Bar Mitzvah. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Sammy Davis Jr.(02 of10)
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After a 1954 car accident that almost took his life, Sammy Davis Jr. went to a hospital in California and began studying Judaism. He later converted to Judaism, telling TIME magazine "Talk about handicap--I'm a one-eyed Negro Jew." (credit:Getty)
Rashida Jones(03 of10)
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Rashida Jones has an African-American father (music mogul Quincy Jones) and an Ashkenazi Jewish mother (Mod Squad beauty Peggy Lipton) Growing up, she attended a Hebrew School before being accepted to Harvard University. (credit:Getty)
Amar'e Stoudemire(04 of10)
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After his mother informed him of his own family's Jewish heritage, Amar'e Stoudemire, traveled to Israel to learn more about his culture. While the specifics of his Jewish lineage remain unknown, the Knicks power forward has embraced his roots and even has a Star of David tattooed on his hand. (credit:Getty)
Shyne(05 of10)
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Jamal Michael Barrow, better known by his stage name Shyne, stepped into the spotlight as a rapper with Sean "P. Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Records. While serving a ten-year prison sentence for attempted murder, Shyne changed his name to Moses Michael Levi to reflect his grandmother's Jewish heritage and practice Judaism. (credit:Getty)
Lauren London(06 of10)
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Lauren London, an actress and model, was born in Los Angeles to an African American mother and Jewish father. She is most known for her roles in ATL and her parts on 90210 and Entourage. (credit:Getty)
Lenny Kravitz(07 of10)
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Born in New York City in May 1964, Lenny Kravitz has an African American mother and a Jewish father. He has won several "Best Male Rock Vocal Performance" Grammy Awards. (credit:Getty)
Tracee Ellis Ross(08 of10)
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Tracee Ellis Ross was born in Los Angeles to African-American singer/actress Diana Ross and Jewish music business manager Robert Ellis Silberstein. Her big break came in 2000 when Ross landed the role of Joan Carol Clayton on the sitcom series "Girlfriends." She currently plays the wife of Malcolm Jamal Warner in the BET sitcom "Reed Between The Lines." (credit:Getty)
Lisa Bonet(09 of10)
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Lisa Bonet is an actress best known for playing Denise Huxtale on the NBC sitcom "The Cosby Show." She was born in San Francisco, to an African American father, Allen Bonet, and a Jewish mother, Arlene Litman. (credit:Getty)
Craig David(10 of10)
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British musician Craig David's maternal grandfather was an Orthodox Jew and his maternal grandmother converted to Judaism. (credit:Getty)
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