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Rabbi David Wolpe to Bless the Democrats

L.A. rabbi to give convention benediction Wednesday in Charlotte

by
Stephanie Butnick
August 31, 2012
Rabbi David Wolpe. (Newsweek)
Rabbi David Wolpe. (Newsweek)

Had Rabbi Meir Soloveichik given the opening blessing at the Republican National Convention, it would have been enough. Now comes word that Rabbi David Wolpe of Los Angeles has been tapped to deliver the benediction Wednesday at the Democratic National Convention. Dayenu!

We spoke to Wolpe today: “For me, offering a benediction is an act not of partisanship, but of prayer. I am grateful to have the zechut to represent our tradition at a pivotal moment before such a large and diverse audience. Because I believe Judaism speaks a universal language, I hope to pray in a way that will be both inspiring and embracing.”

Tablet’s intrepid convention correspondent Yair Rosenberg will be hitting the ground in Charlotte Sunday evening. Check back here for his profile of Wolpe.

Stephanie Butnick is chief strategy officer of Tablet Magazine, co-founder of Tablet Studios, and a host of the Unorthodox podcast.