Shraga Simmons
Encyclopedia
Shraga Simmons is an Orthodox Jewish
rabbi
involved in Orthodox Jewish outreach. He is the senior editor of Aish.com and the director of JewishPathways.com, both Jewish learning websites. He has produced a number of short, online films about media bias
in coverage of the Arab–Israeli conflict.
with a degree in journalism, he worked as a reporter for newspapers and magazines. In 1994, he received rabbinic ordination
from the Chief Rabbi
of Jerusalem. He served three years as Director of Outreach for Aish HaTorah
in Los Angeles
.
Simmons is an activist in matters regarding media bias relating to the Arab–Israeli conflict
. He is the founding editor of HonestReporting
, a pro-Israel media watch group. In 2006 he produced a short film "Photo Fraud in Lebanon" which was viewed by 5 million people in a span of days. In 2009 he produced a video which exposed glaring inconsistences in media coverage of the Gaza flotilla raid
. This video garnered over 200,000 views on Aish.com and YouTube
.
He lives with his family in the Modi'in region of Israel
.
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
involved in Orthodox Jewish outreach. He is the senior editor of Aish.com and the director of JewishPathways.com, both Jewish learning websites. He has produced a number of short, online films about media bias
Media bias
Media bias refers to the bias of journalists and news producers within the mass media in the selection of events and stories that are reported and how they are covered. The term "media bias" implies a pervasive or widespread bias contravening the standards of journalism, rather than the...
in coverage of the Arab–Israeli conflict.
Biography
Simmons was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. After graduating from the University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
with a degree in journalism, he worked as a reporter for newspapers and magazines. In 1994, he received rabbinic ordination
Semicha
, also , or is derived from a Hebrew word which means to "rely on" or "to be authorized". It generally refers to the ordination of a rabbi within Judaism. In this sense it is the "transmission" of rabbinic authority to give advice or judgment in Jewish law...
from the Chief Rabbi
Chief Rabbi
Chief Rabbi is a title given in several countries to the recognized religious leader of that country's Jewish community, or to a rabbinic leader appointed by the local secular authorities...
of Jerusalem. He served three years as Director of Outreach for Aish HaTorah
Aish HaTorah
Aish HaTorah is a Jewish Orthodox organization and yeshiva. Aish HaTorah is actively pro-Israel and encourages Jewish people to visit Israel and connect to the land and its history. Some consider the organisation to reflect a more Religious Zionist philosophy in its attachment to Israel, promoting...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
.
Current activities
His columns, particularly "Shraga's Weekly" and "Ask the Rabbi", are featured on many Jewish websites. Due to these columns, he is often quoted as a rabbinical authority in print and online media. His work has been translated into Hebrew, Spanish, French, Indonesian and German.Simmons is an activist in matters regarding media bias relating to the Arab–Israeli conflict
Arab–Israeli conflict
The Arab–Israeli conflict refers to political tensions and open hostilities between the Arab peoples and the Jewish community of the Middle East. The modern Arab-Israeli conflict began with the rise of Zionism and Arab Nationalism towards the end of the nineteenth century, and intensified with the...
. He is the founding editor of HonestReporting
HonestReporting
HonestReporting is a non-governmental organization that monitors the media for what it perceives as bias against Israel. The organization has affiliates in the United States, UK, Canada, Italy, and Brazil...
, a pro-Israel media watch group. In 2006 he produced a short film "Photo Fraud in Lebanon" which was viewed by 5 million people in a span of days. In 2009 he produced a video which exposed glaring inconsistences in media coverage of the Gaza flotilla raid
Gaza flotilla raid
The Gaza flotilla raid was a military operation by Israel against six ships of the "Gaza Freedom Flotilla" on 31 May 2010 in international waters of the Mediterranean Sea...
. This video garnered over 200,000 views on Aish.com and YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
.
He lives with his family in the Modi'in region of Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
.
Books
Together with Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith of Aish.com, Simmons has co-edited three collections of articles which originally appeared on that website:Articles
- "Antisemitism and the Holocaust" in