That all changed with her first public speech at a Jewish organization, the women's division of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas. Nonetheless, she completed a Conservative conversion process, unaware that there were different streams of Judaism and that not all Jews who went to synagogue obeyed Jewish law. When a Conservative rabbi informed her she would have to convert, Schlessinger was indignant, saying, "Excuse me, I was Jewish enough to go to a concentration camp, but I'm not Jewish enough to be accepted into the club?"
Then, several years ago, prompted by a question from her son, Schlessinger began poring over books on Judaism. She earned degrees in biology and physiology - and is a licensed marriage, family and child counselor who was in private practice for 12 years - but became best known for her sharp-tongued show. "After services, I usually sleep all day."īorn to a Jewish father and a Catholic mother, Schlessinger, 54, grew up in an Italian section of Brooklyn, raised with "no religion, no God - zippo in that department." "I'm not much of a guest," Schlessinger responded politely. One even extended Schlessinger, whose Star of David necklace has become one of her trademarks, a Shabbat invitation. The program for the National Council of Young Israel dinner described Schlessinger as "a powerful source of inspiration and pride for all Jews." The mainly right-leaning Orthodox Jews filling the large room applauded her, and many approached her afterward to ask for autographs and declare their admiration. Many Jews bristle at her one-liner approach to morality and her outspoken opposition to things like feminism, abortion and homosexuality.Įarlier this month, however, at an Orthodox Jewish gala where she received the "National Heritage" award, Schlessinger - whose TV show recently was moved to overnight time slots after a massive grassroots campaign by gay-rights advocates - felt vindicated. Yet Schlessinger's controversial radio and television shows have been embraced far more enthusiastically by Christians than by fellow Jews. Schlessinger, the lightning rod of a talk-show host whose sharp tongue and moralistic advice have earned her millions of fans and enemies, is a close second to Joseph Lieberman as America's most famous observant Jew.
Laura" - the fact that Jews were among the most vocal opponents of her new nationally syndicated television show was "more devastating to me than if someone had burned a cross upside down on my front lawn."
NEW YORK - For Laura Schlessinger - better known as "Dr. Mind Your Own Business - Business Calendar
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