Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, an international best-selling author and television personality, will speak at an open-to-the-public event in the Nott Memorial on Wednesday, February 10 at 7 p.m.
Often referred to as "America's Rabbi," Boteach is not like most other rabbis. He hasn't been the leader of a synagogue in several years nor is he known for his studies of the Torah.
Rather than being recognized from the front of a synagogue, Boteach is often seen and heard on numerous television and radio programs across the United States, including the show he hosts on TLC, 'Shalom in the Home'. He has appeared numerous times on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' and served as Oprah's marriage, parenting, and relationships expert on her 'Oprah and Friends' national radio network.
Additionally, Boteach is the author of 22 international bestsellers, including Kosher Sex and The Kosher Sutra. He just released The Michael Jackson Tapes, a 30-hour collection of conversations the Rabbi had with the famous pop star in 2001.
Abigail Pleeter '10, President of Union College Hillel, is the force behind Boteach's visit to campus, which is sponsored by the Minerva Programs Dinner and Discussion Series, Union College Hillel, Multifaith Council, Religious Studies, and the Office of the President.
"I had seen him countless times on the 'Today Show' and 'Oprah' and thought that he was a really dynamic speaker and his show 'Shalom in the Home' was really fantastic," Pleeter said.
Prior to his spotlight in television and as an author, Boteach, at age 22, went to Oxford and founded the L'Chaim Society, which after three years became the university's second largest club in its history.
At the University, where he served as Rabbi to the students for eleven years, Boteach created controversy among the Lubavitch leadership by inviting high-profile speakers that would attract both Jews and non-Jews alike, and by having non-Jew Cory Booker serve as the club's president.
Even though the popular Rabbi has a controversial past among the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, Pleeter believes Boteach's visit is positive for the campus.
"I feel that Union students would really benefit from and enjoy hearing him speak. I felt that he was excellent at appealing to Jewish and non-Jewish audiences," Pleeter said. "During his career as Rabbi at Oxford University, he made some really controversial decisions, such as making Corey Booker, an African-American, the President of Chabad. He has also been in the news a lot lately because of his counseling various celebrities, most notably Michael Jackson."
While the discussion topic has not been finalized, Pleeter believes Boteach will talk about how to have good relationships with people as well as his career as a rabbi, his TV show, and his counseling to celebrities.
Often referred to as "America's Rabbi," Boteach is not like most other rabbis. He hasn't been the leader of a synagogue in several years nor is he known for his studies of the Torah.
Rather than being recognized from the front of a synagogue, Boteach is often seen and heard on numerous television and radio programs across the United States, including the show he hosts on TLC, 'Shalom in the Home'. He has appeared numerous times on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' and served as Oprah's marriage, parenting, and relationships expert on her 'Oprah and Friends' national radio network.
Additionally, Boteach is the author of 22 international bestsellers, including Kosher Sex and The Kosher Sutra. He just released The Michael Jackson Tapes, a 30-hour collection of conversations the Rabbi had with the famous pop star in 2001.
Abigail Pleeter '10, President of Union College Hillel, is the force behind Boteach's visit to campus, which is sponsored by the Minerva Programs Dinner and Discussion Series, Union College Hillel, Multifaith Council, Religious Studies, and the Office of the President.
"I had seen him countless times on the 'Today Show' and 'Oprah' and thought that he was a really dynamic speaker and his show 'Shalom in the Home' was really fantastic," Pleeter said.
Prior to his spotlight in television and as an author, Boteach, at age 22, went to Oxford and founded the L'Chaim Society, which after three years became the university's second largest club in its history.
At the University, where he served as Rabbi to the students for eleven years, Boteach created controversy among the Lubavitch leadership by inviting high-profile speakers that would attract both Jews and non-Jews alike, and by having non-Jew Cory Booker serve as the club's president.
Even though the popular Rabbi has a controversial past among the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, Pleeter believes Boteach's visit is positive for the campus.
"I feel that Union students would really benefit from and enjoy hearing him speak. I felt that he was excellent at appealing to Jewish and non-Jewish audiences," Pleeter said. "During his career as Rabbi at Oxford University, he made some really controversial decisions, such as making Corey Booker, an African-American, the President of Chabad. He has also been in the news a lot lately because of his counseling various celebrities, most notably Michael Jackson."
While the discussion topic has not been finalized, Pleeter believes Boteach will talk about how to have good relationships with people as well as his career as a rabbi, his TV show, and his counseling to celebrities.
Originally published in Union's Concordy on 2/4/10
Posts
