Michael Cohen speaking before the House Oversight Committee last week. Image by Getty

By Ari Feldman March 5, 2019

Last week, while testifying before the House Oversight Committee about his work for Donald Trump, Michael Cohen was photographed sporting a red thread bracelet on his left hand.

The thin thread has deep roots in Jewish mysticism — it is supposed to be a talisman that wards off evil. European rabbis once considered the red thread a sign of piety.

But, as with other aspects of Jewish mysticism, also called Kabbalah, the red thread has become increasingly popular as an wristwear accessory among celebrities who may dabble in Jewish ritual. Madonna and Angelina Jolie have both worn the thread.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

As has Ivanka Trump.

Ivanka was seen wearing the thread in the summer of 2017, after her spring visit to Israel on Donald Trump’s first presidential trip abroad. The red thread has become a fixture of the wares hawked at tourists in the Old City of Jerusalem, alongside special candles, books and things carved out of olive wood. One can also forego the costly flight to Israel and purchase a red string from the Kabbalah Center for a mere $26.

Will Cohen wear the red thread when he returns to the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday, for a closed-door debriefing with the House Intelligence Committee? Who knows, but he certainly needs all the signs of piety he can get these days.

Ari Feldman is a staff writer at the Forward. Contact him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @aefeldman

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount