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

Harvard Discloses Top Earners’ Compensation

The University files its annual report for tax-exempt organizations.

Harvard Holds a Symposium on Antisemitism and Universities

Scholars discuss the paradoxes and challenges that Jews navigate on college campuses.

Harvard Releases Database of 1,613 People Enslaved by University Affiliates

Research continues to track down living descendants.

Explore More From Current Issue

A woman with long hair leans on a table, looking out a large window with rain-streaked glass.

A Harvard Economist Probes the Affordable Housing Crisis

From understanding gender pay gaps to the housing crisis, Rebecca Diamond’s research aims to improve lives.

Katie Benzan stands on a basketball court holding a ball, with a hoop in the background.

How Women Are Changing the NBA

From coaching staffs to front offices, female leaders are bringing new strategies to men’s basketball.

Colorful illustrated map of Colonial Cambridge and the Harvard College campus featuring buildings of the campus, houses, Cambridge Common, and the Charles River

250 Years Ago, Harvard Was Home to a Revolution

A look at the sights, sounds, and characters that put the University on the frontlines of history