During Barack Obama’s campaign, media and voters drew attention (and drama) to his religiosity—what’s his connection with Muslims?! With Rev. Jeremiah Wright?!
Obama chose fellow Chicagoian Rahm Emanuel as his chief of staff, unfortunately subjecting Emanuel to some of the religious scrutiny and speculation that spotted the president-elect’s campaign.
Emanuel is known for his aggressive temper and fierce political style on Capitol Hill, but Rabbi Lopatin says he keeps his cool at shul: “I haven't seen any of that in the synagogue, that's all I can say! Rahm is very self-aware, he's aware of his image, he's aware of all the stories about him. But, when he comes to synagogue, he comes to pray, he comes to be with his family. He's not in synagogue to talk politics. We don't call him Rahmbo here!”
Emanuel looks to his rabbi for advice on religious matters and how to make his political obligations fit within the rules orthodox practice. He’s been described as a “committed Jew,” and I don’t doubt that—Emanuel even spent some time volunteering with the Israeli military during the Gulf War, according to a profile by the New York Times.
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Kate Shellnutt
I’m a freelance religion reporter and blogger for the Little Things. I majored in religion and journalism as an undergrad, and I'm now completing my master's in journalism at Medill.
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Rahm's father was a member of a terrorist group called the Irgun. They were responsible for killing hundreds of Arabs in the violence leading up to the creation of the state of Israel.
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