Abdul connects with Jewish roots.

Byline: David MacDougall

JERUSALEM -- Paula Abdul, an award-winning singer, dancer, choreographer and TV personality, can add a new title to her resume: religious pilgrim.

The former ''American Idol'' and ''The X-Factor'' judge is on her first trip to Israel, where she is connecting to her Jewish roots and planning on holding a belated bat mitzvah -- the Jewish coming-of-age ceremony girls typically have at age 12 or 13.

''Beyond being Jewish, I've always found myself to be very much in tune with spirituality,'' the 51-year-old Abdul told The Associated Press. ''I feel very grateful coming to Israel now, where as a woman I know who I am a lot more...