Community Corner
How Helen Thomas Made Me A Better Jew
As he tours through the U.S., Canada, Israel, Australia, Ireland and England, Rabbi Dr. David Nesenoff will be speaking and sharing bagels and lox at Tarrytown's Double Tree Hotel on Sunday October 27, 2013 at 10:30 AM. His topic: “How Helen Thomas Made Me a Better Jew.”
Rabbi Nesenoff gained critical acclaim for his life-changing message of the power of faith and Jewish identity, which were tested after a chance meeting at the White House on May 26, 2010 with one of the most famous journalists in the world.
Rabbi Nesenoff had been invited to the White House to cover a Jewish heritage celebration hosted by President Barack Obama. He decided to ask people about Israel for his website, www.rabbilive.com, and had the good fortune of running into the dean of the White House press corps, Helen Thomas. Nesenoff asked her, “Any comments on Israel? We're asking everybody today." Thomas’s answer, "Tell them to get the hell out of Palestine," and "go home to Poland and Germany,” would change both of their lives forever.
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After posting the video on the Internet, it went viral and resulted in her losing her position in the White House pressroom and expressing regret. While her sudden fall from grace is well-known, less well-known are the thousands of hate mail messages Rabbi Nesenoff received and subsequent attacks on his character, which forced him to confront an under current of anti-Semitism in the world. It strengthened his faith and understanding that Jews are the “Children of Israel” and are bound to the land.
Sponsored by Chabad of the Rivertowns and the Chabad of Briarcliff Manor and Ossining, Rabbi Nesenoff's one man show is about everything from his relationship with the Divine, his front row seat in the world media, Israel, anti-Semitism, and his personal journey. It is a story of cyber-hatred, life threatening danger and humor.
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Dr. Nesenoff’s audiences have raved about his talks with comments like, “Best speaker ever!” "Mind-blowing!" “Truly uplifting!” and "My jaw hurt from laughing!"
Dr. Nesenoff will make a breakfast appearance on Sunday, October 27th at 10:30 a.m. at The Double Tree Hotel in Tarrytown. The address is 455 South Broadway. Bagels and lox will be served. Admission is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets may be purchased by calling 914-693-6100.
