The man who’s been called “the most famous rabbi in America” and “America’s rabbi” and who served as Oprah’s relationships maven – Shmuley Boteach – will speak at the Nott Memorial Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.
His talk, free and open to the public, is sponsored by Hillel, Minerva Programs, Religious Studies, Multifaith Council and the Office of the President.
Boteach (known universally as Rabbi Shmuley) is host of the award-winning TV show, “Shalom in the Home” on TLC (The Learning Channel). He is the best-selling author of 22 books, including “The Michael Jackson Tapes” (2009) and “The Kosher Sutra: Eight Sacred Secrets for Reigniting Desire and Restoring Passion for Life” (2009).
“Kosher Sex” (1999) was an international blockbuster, and his books on the American family, “Parenting With Fire” (2006) and “Ten Conversations You Need to Have With Your Children” (2006) were both launched on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
In 2008, Boteach served as Oprah’s marriage, parenting, and relationships expert on her “Oprah and Friends” national radio network, hosting the daily “Rabbi Shmuley Show.” The Washington Post dubbed him “Dr. Ruth with a yarmulke.”
In 2007, he was called “a cultural phenomenon” and “the most famous rabbi in America” by Newsweek. He also was named one of the 10 most influential rabbis in the world.
He is the founder and chair of This World: The Jewish Values Network, which aims to bring Jewish values to mainstream American culture via the media, politics and the arts.
Boteach first came to world attention as founder, in 1988, of the Oxford University L’Chaim Society, which quickly became one of the largest student organizations in the university’s history. As its rabbi for 11 years, he played host to Mikhail Gorbachev, Stephen Hawking, Shimon Peres, Deepak Chopra, Benjamin Netanyahu, Elie Wiesel, Simon Wiesenthal and other world leaders and thinkers.
A highly sought-after television and radio guest, and winner of the London Times’ prestigious Preacher of the Year award, Boteach has lectured and appeared in print, radio and TV all over the globe. In 2005, he won the American Jewish Press Association’s highest award for excellence in commentary.
Salon.com wrote that “Boteach has his scholarly finger on the pulse of the nation.”