Leonardo DiCaprio: rumours of Jewish conversion

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio has been dating Israeli supermodel Bar Rafaeli since 2005 and is now rumoured to be converting to Judaism.

The rumours were first reported on Sunday by the Daily Mail and an anonymous source told the English newspaper: "Leo’s sudden intense interest in Israel, its culture and religion is the clearest sign yet that he intends to marry Bar."

DiCaprio's background is Catholic but he is non-practicing and speculations have been swirling for a few months that the couple are engaged.

He has made several trips to Israel, and was reported in mid-November to be looking for a plot of land to build a home on either in the south or north but not in the country's central and most populous region.

Rafaeli is best known internationally for being the cover model of the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She also has been involved in television and film, co-starring in the Israeli TV series Pick Up in 2005.

This year Rafaeli starred in an English-language film directed by Israeli Haim Bouzaglo, entitled "Session" which was filmed entirely in Syracuse and premiered at the Syracuse International Film Festival in October. The film is a psychological thriller that tells the story of a manipulative psychologist who becomes obsessed with a new young patient.

During DiCaprio's last visit to Israel, he celebrated his 36th birthday and "Entourage" actor Kevin Connolly accompanied DiCaprio, Rafaeli and her family for the celebrations.