Katy Perry's Dad Keith Hudson Apologizes For Anti-Semitic Rant

While Katy Perry and Russell Brand struggle through a very public divorce reportedly triggered by the singer's ultra-religious parents, Perry's dad Keith Hudson is under fire and scrambling to apologize to the Jewish community after making a series of anti-Semitic remarks during one of his sermons.

'You know how to make a Jew jealous?'

Hudson, an Evangelical preacher, delivered a sermon with a deeply anti-Semitic message last week, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

You know how to make the Jew jealous? Perry's dad told his congregation at the Church on the Rise in Wastlake, Ohio. Have some money, honey.

You go to L.A. and they own all the Rolex and diamond places, Hudson continued. 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, he told his congregation. Hallejuah! Amen.

Hudson Slammed By ADL

When word of Keith Hudson's controversial statements traveled to the Simon Wiesenthal Center, founder Rabbi Marvin Hier denounced Perry's father for dredging up anti-Semitic stereotypes.

If you take out 'L.A.' from his rant, most people would guess that Hitler or Goebbles was speaking, Hier said.

The Anti-Defamation League joined Hier in his disgust at Hudson's comments, calling them unabashedly anti-Semitic.

It's unfortunate that [Katy Perry's] good name is now attached to her father's words, the ADL said.

Katy Perry's Controversial Parents

This is far from the first time Katy Perry's parents have been the subject of controversy or incredulity.

Following news of her divorce from Russell Brand, Perry's parents told churchgoers that Perry's name trending on the Internet was God's way of getting people to go their church (Who knows how God is bringing them in?). Rumors are swirling that mom Mary Hudson is trying to set her daughter up with Tim Tebow, the devoutly Christian football star of the Denver Broncos.

But Keith Hudson's comments crossed a line, and were not much helped by fellow pastor Paul Endrei, who claimed the preacher's statements were meant to compliment Jewish people on their prosperity and simply went too far.

Even though this is wrong and it was not a right comment, he wasn't preaching about Jews, neither was he ranting against Jews, Endrei told ABC News, adding that he received only one complaint from among the roughly 300 people who heard the sermon.

Endrei went on to say that he nonetheless remained deeply hurt by Hudson's comments, and proclaimed Church on the Rise's support for the nation of Israel.

'I am not going to offer any excuse'

Following the firestorm of criticism, Hudson has since issued a public apology for his comments this week.

I am not going to offer any excuse, or tell you not to think what I did wasn't so terrible, his statement began.

I have had a few days to think about what I said, and to listen to my words as they were understood by others, he continued. 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.

Hudson went on to insist that he wasn't anti-Semitic, but admitted he would probably have continued to use the same inflammatory language if he had not been called out.

I can't tell you where I picked up phrases and descriptions that became part of my vocabulary, he concluded. I used them without ever considering what they meant.

With the help of God, it will not happen again.

No Comment From Katy Perry

According to The Daily News, the Anti-Defamation League has accepted Hudson's apology, and even extended an olive branch to the evangelical pastor for future sermons.

Religious leaders bear a responsibility to speak out against anti-Semitism, and it seems Mr. Hudson now realizes the power of his words, ADL National Director Abrhama Foxman said. He should use his church pulpit to teach and preach against anti-Semitism.

Kay Perry has yet to comment on her father Keith Hudson's inflammatory remarks, or his subsequent apology.

In the past, the singer has said she is not close to her deeply religious parents, and disagreed with some of what they taught her during her strict conservative upbringing.

But Katy Perry's tweet following her divorce from Russell Brand is all the statement she seems likely to give on the matter.

Concerning the gossip, I want to be clear that NO ONE speaks for me, she posted on Twitter. Not a blog, magazine, 'close sources,' or my family.