Two Joels

Yeah, they share a name, but televangelist Joel Osteen and Yeshiva University president Richard Joel have something else in common: They’ve both been nominated for MSNBC’s (Baby) Boomer Hall of Fame in the field of Religion & Education.

Richard Joel’s a great guy and all, but his presence on this list is almost as mysterious as the fact that Religion and Education are clumped together here. It’s hard to imagine how of all the Jewish religious leaders of the Boomer generation Joel was the one selected.

Does he have a friend at MSNBC?

Ultimately, this list is of little significance, but that won’t stop some from rallying behind President Joel.

My sister, who tipped me off to this quirky poll, just forwarded me this email from a West Orange, NJ synagogue listserve:

From: XXXXXX

Date: Monday, December 18, 2006 3:58 pm

Subject: [WestOrangeShuls] Newsweek – vote for Richard Joel

Vote for YU President; Save The World

Richard Joel is on this list for Newsweek’s Baby Boomers at 60, so I encourage everyone to vote. Next stop: Cover of Newsweek. Takes 5 seconds of your time, literally. Forward to everyone you know!

Lets make this a great Kiddush Hashem!

Discover More

Joel Roth’s Closet

So I was looking through our blog stats (how many people are visiting, where they’re coming from, etc) and I ...

God on Campus

According to the New York Times, America’s campuses are experiencing a religious revival. Across the country, on secular campuses as ...

Fast Forward through the 50

Seriously, somebody should just come out with a top-50 list of Jewish top-50 lists. This year’s Forward 50 was just ...