Ivanka’s Rabbi Bows Out Of RNC In Cleveland

Because of his relationship with Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, Rabbi Haskel Lookstein agreed to give the invocation at the RNC, but when word got out of his participation, petitions from the Modern Orthodox Jewish community were circulated and he withdrew.

Lookstein became rabbi to the Trump when Ivanka, daughter of presidential nominee Donald Trump, decided to marry Kushner and converted to his religion, Judaism.

Lookstein, the principal emeritus of Ramaz School and rabbi emeritus of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun in New York City, is well-known in Orthodox circles.

Former students of Lookstein told the newspaper Forward why they felt it was necessary to reach protest their rabbi’s participation.

“The petition, organized by former Ramaz students, called on Lookstein to reconsider his “public support of this dangerous man,” adding that “the future of our country, not to mention your own legacy, is at stake.”

For his part, Lookstein says he never wanted to be political.

“The whole matter turned from rabbinic to political, something which was never intended … I have never been involved in politics,” Lookstein wrote in an email to members of his community. “Politics divides people. My life has been devoted to uniting a community.”

Ohio police rabbi, Ari Wolf delivered the address instead of Lookstein.

Community members have accused Donald Trump of bigotry and felt like the participation of Lookstein was inappropriate.

While Lookstein didn’t share the prayer or comments he planned for the RNC, he did email members a copy of a prayer he had delivered before, which addressed some of the concerns about discrimination and bigotry.

His prayer said: “We thank you for our constitutional government that has created and fostered the American ideals of democracy, freedom, justice and equality for all, regardless of race, religion or national origin.” It also included a sentence about the threats to America from outsiders and “from within, by those who sow the seeds of bigotry, hatred and violence.”

It may have been for the best that Wolf was tapped to speak. He gave a more traditional blessing for safety and peace. Watch him below.

Featured image by Marc NozellFlickr CC 2.0