Congress's First Blind Rabbi?

Last week's New Yorker had a Talk of the Town piece on the man who hopes to be the first blind rabbi—and in fact, the first rabbi—to serve in the U.S. Congress...

Last week's New Yorker had a Talk of the Town piece on the man who hopes to be the first blind rabbi—and in fact, the first rabbi—to serve in the U.S. Congress.

Dennis Shulman also holds a Harvard Ph.D.—he earned a doctorate in psychology in 1976.

He is trying to unseat incumbent Representative Scott Garrett, a Republican who, according to author Jeffrey Toobin ’82, J.D. ’86, has "the most conservative voting record of any member of the House from the Northeast." In June, Shulman bested opponents Camille Abate and Roger Bacon to win the Democratic primary for the seat, which covers northeastern New Jersey near the Pennsylvania border. 

Toobin's short piece packs in a wealth of biographical information and a few humorous moments. For instance, he quotes Shulman as saying:

"My favorite headline from the primary was 'blind rabbi's opponent is bacon.’”

Most popular

All That’s Unseen charts the Harvard graduate’s uneasy journey from Appalachia to Cambridge and back.  

Harvard Weathers a Year of Turmoil

The federal government has launched unprecedented actions against the University. Here’s a guide.

Lafayette’s Unexpected Gift to George Washington: Pheasants

The two birds will be on display at Harvard this summer.

Explore More From Current Issue

An open book with a film strip emerging, trailing popcorn and a dancer silhouette.

Readers Respond to Our Adaptations Survey

We asked people to share their favorite art adaptations. Here’s what they said.

Two colorful octopuses swim among vibrant coral and sea life in a lively underwater scene.

New Harvard research finds octopuses go beyond sight and touch to find mates.

Black and white photo of Joseph Murray in a white lab coat sitting in an office.

Nobel Prize recipient Joseph E. Murray dedicated much of his career to organ transplant surgery.