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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Religious Figure

Shmuley Boteach

Shmuley Boteach, also known as Rabbi Shmuley, is an American Orthodox rabbi, author, television and radio host, and public speaker.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Shmuley Boteach, commonly known as Rabbi Shmuley, is an American Orthodox rabbi, author, and media host. He is best known for his books on relationships and his TLC reality series Shalom in the Home.

What it is

Shmuley Boteach is an American Orthodox rabbi, born in Los Angeles in 1966. He served as rabbi to Oxford University for 11 years and founded The World Values Network. He is widely recognized as a prominent and sometimes controversial public figure in Jewish and media circles.

Key details

Boteach has written dozens of books on Judaism, relationships, and spirituality, including the well-known Kosher Sex and Kosher Jesus. He hosted the TLC reality series Shalom in the Home and appears frequently on television, radio, and in opinion columns. He is married to Debbie Boteach and has a large family.

Why it matters

Boteach's media presence and outspoken political commentary have made him one of the most recognised rabbis in America. His work sparks debate on religious and cultural issues, and his books reach a broad audience beyond the Jewish community. His international visibility includes coverage in Canadian and North American outlets.

In short

  • American Orthodox rabbi and media personality
  • Author of Kosher Sex and Kosher Jesus
  • Hosted TLC's Shalom in the Home
  • Founded The World Values Network
Canadian angle

He has had international media visibility, including coverage in Canadian and North American Jewish and general-interest outlets, but there is no specific Canadian role noted in the provided sources.

Quick questions

Who is Shmuley Boteach?
He is an American Orthodox rabbi, author, and media host, commonly known as Rabbi Shmuley.
What is Rabbi Shmuley known for?
He is known for his books on relationships and Judaism, and for hosting the TLC reality series Shalom in the Home.
How many books has he written?
Sources give varying totals, but best-known titles include Kosher Sex and Kosher Jesus.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shmuley_Boteach
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, American rabbi/author/media host description, books, and Shalom in the Home.
  2. Jewish Journal — https://jewishjournal.com/author/rabbi_shmuley/
    Supports: Founder of The World Values Network, former Oxford University rabbi, and author credentials.
  3. The Jerusalem Post — https://www.jpost.com/author/shmuley-boteach
    Supports: Books, media appearances, Oxford University rabbi role, and public profile.
  4. VICE — https://www.vice.com/en/article/a-conversation-with-the-worlds-most-controversial-jew-182/
    Supports: Born and raised in Los Angeles.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2164614/
    Supports: Marriage to Debbie Boteach and children count.
  6. Shmuley.com — https://www.shmuley.com/about
    Supports: Biography, book count, media presence, and general self-description.