Rick Sanchez talks with Shmuley Boteach about his Comments that caused his CNN Removal #4

On Thursday January 13, 2011, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach talked with former CNN host Rick Sanchez at Manhattan's Carlebach Synagogue about the comments that caused his removal from CNN in October 2010.

Sanchez apologized for how his words were construed, and for making the comments at all. Sanchez explains his comments about Jon Stewart and talks more about his own feelings as a child of immigrants who worked his way to the top.

Rabbi Boteach said he did not believe Sanchez' comments were anti-Semitic, nor does he take issue with believing that Jews are not an oppressed minority in this country. Rabbi Boteach elicited tears from Sanchez when he talked of his his feelings of jealousy at those who were born with advantage, and when he reminisced about his father's hard work and life as he worked to give Rick the edge he used to rise through the ranks.

Sanchez recognizes Jewish suffering and persecution, and admires their drive and determination to rise above it. He explained that his comments were not about Jews, but about a two tier system in media; those who worked for it, as he did, and those who have the advantages of family, friends or contacts who helped propel them.

He admits that he was wrong in calling Jon Stewart a bigot, as he was reacting to Stewart's rant on Sanchez. Sanchez realizes his ultimate guilt is being too thin skinned. Boteach told Sanchez that if he could not handle criticism by Stewart, or anyone for that matter, he was in the wrong field of being in the public eye. "I know people who would pay good money to have Stewart make fun of them for the full 30 minutes of his show just to get attention," Boteach said.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Jon Stewart
• Rick Sanchez
• Shmuley Boteach
• CNN
• Anti Semitism
• Michael Jackson
• Blood Libel

[steelhers]

First of all, thank you for sharing these videos. It was generous of you to take the time to post them. I wanted to ask if you have any more footage of the question session? Wondering how the audience reacted. (aside from Maxine)

I happen to be a supporter of Ricks & did not find his radio interview offensive. I do think the Rabbi hit some good points with Rick in the fact that he is sensitive and has insecurity issues. Kudos to Rick for what must have been at times uncomfortable.