Shraga Simmons

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Shraga Simmons
Born (1961-07-01) July 1, 1961 (age 65)
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Education University of Texas at Austin
Employer Aish HaTorah
Known for Jewish outreach, media coverage of the Arab-Israeli conflict
Title Rabbi

Shraga Simmons (born 1 July 1961) is an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, journalist, filmmaker, brand builder and Torah-themed marketer.[ clarification needed ] He is the co-founder of the educational website Aish.com and the pro-Israel media watch group HonestReporting. He is also creator of the online Torah study site Aish Academy.

Contents

Biography

Simmons was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in journalism, [1] he worked as a reporter for newspapers and magazines, specializing in entertainment. He led marketing campaigns for various politicians, entertainers and professional athletes.[ citation needed ] In 1994, he received rabbinic ordination from the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. [1] He served three years as Director of Outreach for Aish HaTorah in Los Angeles.[ citation needed ]

Jewish education

He was a close student of Rabbi Noah Weinberg, served as his ghostwriter for 20 years, and co-authored the best-selling 48 Ways to Wisdom.[ citation needed ] In 1997, he was selected to run the Aish internet site, serving as editor for 25 years. He has been quoted as a rabbinical authority in print and online media. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

He is author of LifeWisdom, a multi-volume Torah study curriculum; the Discovery Seminar sourcebook; courses on Brachot, Middot, and Jewish history; the column "Shraga's Weekly" on Chumash; and hundreds of essays on spirituality, happiness, success, Jewish holidays, lifecycle and history, translated into 10 languages.[ citation needed ]

Zionist activism

Simmons is an activist in matters regarding media bias relating to the Arab–Israeli conflict. [7] In 2000, he co-founded HonestReporting.com, the pro-Israel media watch group. In 2012, he authored David & Goliath, a study of Western media bias in coverage of the Arab–Israeli conflict. As a historical study of the years 2000–2011, the book includes statistical studies that claim to document a pervasive pro-Palestinian slant in the New York Times, CNN and much of the British media. [8] [ non-primary source needed ]

In 2006 he produced a short film "Photo Fraud in Lebanon" which became the first Jewish-themed video to register 5 million views. [9] [ verification needed ] In 2011 he produced a video which exposed "glaring inconsistencies in the general media coverage" of the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid, according to the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle . [10]

In 2012 he wrote, directed and produced a short Internet film, The Red Line, arguing for the urgency of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. [11]

In 2017 he wrote, directed and produced Jerusalem: Unite or Divide?, a film and marketing campaign to promote the 50th anniversary of reunified Jerusalem.[ citation needed ]

Books

Simmons has co-edited five collections of articles which originally appeared on Aish.com:

Articles

References

  1. 1 2 "Shraga Simmons's Blog". The Times of Israel . Retrieved 22 October 2026.
  2. ↑ Greenberg, Karen J. (2006). The Torture Debate in America. Cambridge University Press. p. 167. ISBN   0-521-85792-9.
  3. ↑ "Rabbi's Sermons – Does Judaism Allow Cloning?". Mishkan Torah Synagogue. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  4. ↑ Kazilsky, Amy (8 January 2009). "Genesis Reads Like a Sibling Rivalry Primer". Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  5. ↑ Memberg, Fran. "Organ Donation, a Lifesaving Mitzvah: Beth Jacob Member Needs a Kidney". Atlanta Jewish News. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  6. ↑ Haist, Paul (15 November 2008). "Chosen Pets: May Fido have the lobster?". Jewish Review. Archived from the original on 7 January 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  7. ↑ Gerstenfeld, Manfred; Green, Ben (Fall 2004). "Watching the Pro-Israel Media Watchers". Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  8. ↑ Simmons, Shraga (2012). David & Goliath: The explosive inside story of media bias in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Emesphere. ISBN   978-0984039807.
  9. ↑ House, David (27 August 2006). "A Picture is Worth... Ah...". Fort Worth Star-Telegram .
  10. ↑ Chottiner, Lee. "U.S. Jews play 'historic role' in campaigning for Israel". The Jewish Chronicle of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  11. ↑ Clifton, Eli (25 January 2013). "Iran "Red Line" campaign goes viral". The American Independent . Retrieved 22 October 2026– via Salon.
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