TEL AVIV, Israel – Former “Baywatch” star Pamela Anderson said Sunday she will try her powers of seduction while in Israel on an unlikely audience: ultra-Orthodox Jewish lawmakers.

Anderson, who is in Israel to participate in the local version of “Dancing with the Stars,” is an honorary director of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and said she intends to speak about the issue of fur to Israeli religious leaders on her trip.

Additional Photos

U.S. actress Pamela Anderson visits Jerusalem’s Western Wall on Sunday. An honorary PETA director, she praised Israel for having no fur farms. The Associated Press

Jill Clayburgh

An anti-fur bill has been put on hold in Israel over concerns by ultra-Orthodox leaders that it could impact production of the characteristic fur hats worn by some men from Hassidic sects on holidays and other festive occasions.

To combat growing secularization of Jews to European society in the 18th century, Hassidic Jews decided that their way of dress should remain intact and not be influenced by fashion. Descendants of these communities to this day wear the black hats and coats of that period, including, at times, fur hats.

Anderson called Israel a “progressive” country because it had no fur farms, and said that it can serve as “an example for the rest of the world.”

“It’s almost 2011. There are so many alternatives to things. We can be compassionate in our choices,” Anderson said.

She said she tries to incorporate her animal-rights campaign during other “Dancing with the Stars” shows around the world. Her work “has been really inspiring,” she said. “I feel like I have actually done something.”

Late Sunday, Anderson visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the holiest site where Jews can pray.

Brooks’ flood-aid show multiplies after ticket megasale

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Garth Brooks is going to be very busy in December.

Brooks sold more than 140,000 tickets Saturday morning and his benefit concert for Nashville flood relief ballooned from one show to nine.

“It’s great to be a part of the healing,” Brooks said in a news release.

The release says the day’s sales set a record for tickets sold in Tennessee, besting a concert held by Michael Jackson at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville that drew more than 72,000 fans.

Brooks initially retired about a decade ago to spend more time with his family, but demand for the best-selling solo artist in U.S. history remains high. The 48-year-old musician came out of retirement late last year, announcing a series of shows at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas.

Clayburgh director had no clue actress was ill

NEW YORK – In one of her final roles, Jill Clayburgh plays the mom of charismatic Viagra salesman Jamie Reidy (Jake Gyllenhaal) in the romantic comedy “Love and Other Drugs.”

Gyllenhaal and the film’s director Edward Zwick said they had no idea the Oscar-nominated screen legend was battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia at the time. They learned of it after their work together.

“I think part of her sickness is what made her live her life and really cherish the moments she had and cherish the people she was with,” said Gyllenhaal while promoting the film in New York on Sunday. “And she did when she was with us, cherish those moments, and they made us all love her.”

Gyllenhaal filmed with Clayburgh in September of 2009.

Clayburgh, 66, died Friday at her home in Lakeville, Conn., after a 21-year battle with the disease.

Gyllenhaal credits Clayburgh’s iconic portrayal of a divorcee in 1978’s “An Unmarried Woman” with helping his own mother through divorce.

“It helped her through that time in a way that no other movie or anybody else had,” he said.

“She left an indelible impression on me,” he said. “When I heard that (she was sick) I just thought, you know there’s that moment when you go like ‘oh, like maybe that might be why she was so extraordinary.’ And it makes me want to encourage people to wake up and live it like Jill did.”

“Love and Other Drugs,” opening Nov. 24, also stars Anne Hathaway.

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