Are the Media Discriminating Against Rabbi Shmuley Because of His GOP Run for Congress?
- Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:37am by
Billy Hallowell
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Back in February, The Blaze first told you about Orthodox Rabbi Shmuley Boteach’s potential run for New Jersey’s 9th congressional district. Now, the prominent faith leader, who is known for his book about sex, a television show and his spiritual advisement to the late Michael Jackson, has made his run official. But since announcing his candidacy earlier this year, the Republican, who is typically revered in American media as a top Jewish leader, seems to be experiencing somewhat of a fall from grace — at least when it comes to mainstream media accolades.
Newsweek is the primary outlet that has seemed to sour somewhat on Shmuley. Rather than falling in the top 11 in the magazine’s annual “America’s Top 50 Rabbis” list, the political hopeful dropped all the way down to 30. While there are certainly a myriad of issues that may have contributed to this decline in purported prominence, the stark change in ranking is certainly noteworthy.
“Boteach has always ranked near the top of the Newsweek list,” reports Big Journalism’s John Sexton. “In 2007 and 2008 he was #9 on the list. In 2009 he went to #7 and then peaked at #6 in 2010. He was #11 on the 2011 list, still quite respectable. And then, this year, he suddenly slid all the way down to #30.”
Sexton makes the point that a run for Congress should have made Boteach more — not less — influential and questions whether the rabbi’s political affiliation had anything at all to do with his diminished ranking. It’s interesting to note that Newsweek did, indeed, mention Boteach’s run for office, his political affiliation and a number of negative allegations surrounding his character in his 2012 profile last month:
Known for his bestselling books on parenting and sex, Boteach “threw his yarmulke in the ring” to run for a congressional seat in New Jersey to “bring Jewish values into the political discourse” and won the Republican nomination. He has said he’ll consider legislation “to re-create an American Sabbath so parents have an incentive to take their kids to a park rather than teaching them to find satisfaction in the impulse purchase.” There is ample Boteach bashing among fellow clergy because of what’s perceived as his unremitting self-promotion, and his political candidacy has not been helped by a report in The Forward that said an “examination of public records reveals that the charity Boteach heads spends a significant portion of its revenues on payments to Boteach and his family.”
Interestingly, the rabbi’s 2011 profile, though it mentioned negative sentiment embraced by his fellow faith leaders, was much more positive in tone:
Though many of his fellow clergy deride his tireless self-advertisement, they also tip their hats to Boteach for hammering home the notion that the tenets of Judaism are relevant – and essential – for Americans of any faith. His prolific output of books (18), essays and lectures is unmatched, and book titles such asKosher Adultery: Seduce and Sin with Your Spouse and The Broken American Male and How to Fix Himhave resonated with mainstream audiences. Few rabbis have had his Oprah platform even once, (he was a regular) and it’s doubtful any others can claim to have counseled Michael Jackson. Boteach has 6,000-plus Facebook fans and counting.
The Jewish Forward piece that is mentioned in the 2012 profile is potentially newsworthy and, to a degree, it is understandable why Newsweek inserted the information in the profile (the outlet is frequently referred to as left-of-center). News is news and potential financial mismanagement allegations, if they hold merit, are worth mentioning. However, this theme seemed to dominate the profile, while the rabbi‘s other activities simply weren’t discussed.
Considering the overall tone of the 2012 piece versus the 2011 profile, though, it‘s also worth questioning how much of the rabbi’s placement has been predicated upon his political affiliation. While the Forward continues to stand by its story about the Boteach’s finances, Sexton has his own doubts about both Newsweek and the Forward’s treatment of the congressional candidate:
The circumstance that clearly mattered most in the case was that Rabbi Shmuley had chosen to run as a Republican.
Note that the [Forward] piece also points readers to the worst possible conclusion by suggesting that the charity spends money on Boteach’s “family.” In fact, the only recipients from Boteach’s family are the rabbi himself, and his wife, who is an employee of the charity. The Forward chose to spin these salaries as if they were suspicious, possibly corrupt payments to outside relatives.
In the end, there‘s no way to know whether discrimination is at the heart of Boteach’s decreased popularity in Newsweek’s annual spread. Perhaps the faith leader truly has lost some influence over the past year, but considering the stark drop, such a prospect — especially following a congressional run that could make him the first rabbi ever elected to Congress — certainly raises eyebrows.
(H/T: Big Journalism)
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Grace1798
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 6:18pmI think it’s great! But he will need our prayers for protection against those who hate God and hate the Jewish people and basically hate anything that is good and pure and holy basically.
Report Post »ContinentalArmy
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 8:44amI don’t see any problem with a Rabbi running for Office! Look at whats in the White House! Rabbi vs Muslim. I’ll Gladly vote for a Rabbi!!
Report Post »shekinah11
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 5:52amSo we should let the Government must be run only by atheist and communists? I’d vote for him…Go Rabbi!!!!
Report Post »cosmic dogma
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:15pmDiscriminate? Against Jews? Really, what planet are you from?
Report Post »progoyim
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:06pmThis is all we need another Israel first Zionist to steal more money from the U.S taxpayers ,to give to the sand pit at the eastern end of the Mediterranean .NOT ONE DOLLAR NOT AMERICAN LIFE
Report Post »NeoFan
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 7:29pmThis guy still holds the record in my book for the best insult ever, he called a women an ignorant peasant.
Report Post »NLN
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 7:22pmPeople, We need more politicians from other races, religions, ect, in the GOP. Then they may convert some votes the dems would get. Before condemning him let’s see where he stands in the issues.If he votes conservative I don’t care what God he prays to. And yes that includes Muslims.
Report Post »nappy
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 3:13pmHow is this guy a Republican? He‘s been a Huffer’s writer , a Michael Jackson supporter and a general loudmouth for a long time. But a Republican? Nah.
Be a Rabbi OR a Politician. Otherwise.. you‘re just foolin’ around.
Report Post »ofallon
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 1:53pmRun, Rabbi, Run. At least we know he really is Jewish as opposed to Chief Elizabeth.
Report Post »mzk1
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 2:57pmI don’t know how I feel about him per se, but both the Forward and the Jewish Week aren’t exactly known as friendly to Orthodoxy.
Report Post »jagape
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 12:00pmNo, not because he’s running on a GOP ticket…because he’s Jewish. The left love the Muslims and hate the Jews!!!!!
Report Post »drbage
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 1:09pmBut to be Jewish AND Republican…! He has crawled out of the Democrat proscribed niche and has become what Rep. Blabbermouth Schultz called “one of ‘those’ Jews.” The Dems and their media lackeys will attack him with vitriol just as they have done with Rep. Col. West and Hermann Cain.
Report Post »CulperGang
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:49amHis association with Jackson was to bring him out of the abyss, that is what Rabbis do. So give him the benefit of the doubt. IF the MEDIA is against YOU that only means ONE THING you are not a new world order shill for the 1%. They own the media lock stock and barrel and use it to character assassinate ANYONE who is not on board with their program of: Depopulation/ No borders EU style world with them (Bankers) telling corporations, heads of states how to run the world,from their headquaters in Brussels . Right now they are financially ruining Ireland, next Italy. Eventually like Coburn says the US. RREST THEM NOW before it is too late. Financial collapse historically brings war. THAT is the goal total ruination of powerful nations.!!!
Report Post »discus02
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:32amTexas, Put down the Obamaaide. It has bad side effects can cause brain farts and illogical statements!
Report Post »G-WHIZ
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 2:20pmWatch-out! The EPA will get-cha…brain-pharts are [C-O2] and N.Pelosi will give you a new word…
Report Post »“PO-LU-SHUN”!
Individualism
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:14ami just don’t think religious leaders are qualified to take those positions.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 12:16pmBigot!
Report Post »ConservativeAmerican2
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 12:20pmOut of the 56 signers of the Constitution 27 were ordained pastors and so was James Garfield our 20th US President. And that’s only for starters.
Report Post »firemanfrank
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:13amIf it wasn’t for him Momar Kadafi would be living in Englewood NJ. or at least his kids and wives.
Report Post »texasbeta
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:59amConservatives are the most whiny group on the planet. You make Palestinians look like they just have a stiff upper lip. Every single day…”oh, persecuted me.” All the while being the most authoritarian and oppressive group in the country. It is as if we gathered the weaker side of the human soul and put a political label on it…grow up little kids.
Report Post »ZaphodsPlanet
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 12:11pmI recommend you stop smoking so much weed. Try writing sober, maybe what you’re saying will actually make sense then.
Report Post »tomacz
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 12:47pmget a prescrip from your dr for hormone replct,,helps cognitive function my sources tell me
Report Post »Listen_then_think
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:58amI wouldn’t vote for him soley based on his association with Michael Jackson. But since he has sold out his religion and his God for money, that makes him twice as bad.
Report Post »G-WHIZ
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 2:31pmThroughout history, jews almost always were mathmatically estute. Everryone-else was planning and doing wars and destruction. They were persicuted because they were “too-smart”, and many wanted to just “have their money” insead of actually going-out and making it on their own…easy to rob, hard to do “work”(bad 4-letter word). Just get ridd of them, and then move-in…a history-wide hidden agenda. There is only so much time on earth… you can spend it robbing-and-pillaging…or making it honestly…but then you are always on their “hit-list”.
Report Post »ProgressiveDeist267
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:45amI dislike “rabbi” Shmuley. He is to friendly toward Christian teachings, liberal squabble, etc. Not Jewish!
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:54amno problem adolf
Report Post »Joker50
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 2:37pmYou seem to have forgotten where Christianity came from. The TEACHINGS OF A JEW!!!!!
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