Community Corner

Rabbi Who Exposed Helen Thomas Receives Honorary Doctorate Degree

Rabbi David F. Nesenoff, of Stony Brook, was honored by The Jewish Theological Seminary.

Rabbi David F. Nesenoff, whose questioning of author and White House Press Corps dean Helen Thomas led to her sudden retirement, received an honorary doctor of divinity degree by The Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City on Tuesday.

According to a statement from Nesenoff, his citation called him "a guiding light of truth, and a testament to turning ideas into bold actions that secure the Jewish future."

Nesenoff is famous for his video interview with Thomas, who expressed anti-Jewish and anti-Israel viewpoints and who swiftly retired after Nesenoff made the videos public.

Find out what's happening in Three Villagefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Formerly of Stony Brook, Nesenoff recently moved to Israel to launch The Jerusalem Observer, a new newspaper. His film Three Thousand Miles, which addresses hate in America, premiered at New York's Simon Wiesenthal Center Museum of Tolerance. He is also the recipient of the National Jewish Hero Award from the George Rohr Jewish Learning Institute of Chabad.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.