By Gabriel Lehrman November 29, 2016

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach is known for his pro-Israel activism, his support of president-elect Donald Trump, and his books about sex in the Orthodox world. But recently he found himself making a small scene about a completely different issue – the burial of Fidel Castro.

My 50th birthday party in NYC this Sunday 4 December same day as Castro funeral. Seriously? Death of a tyrant not the cause for celebration

— Rabbi Shmuley (@RabbiShmuley) November 28, 2016

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

It’s hard to know if Boteach was Tweeting with tongue in cheek. After all the world continues to spin, with good events and bad, even on the day when America’s rabbi is celebrating the big Five-O.

But if he’s serious, we can ease Boteach’s pain by letting him know about events on December 4 that are sure to get him excited to celebrate his birthday.

National Israel Solidarity Day

Unbeknownst to Boteach, if we are judging by his Twitter account, the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference(NHCLC), the Hispanic Israel Leadership Coalition (HILC), and Hadassah are partnering to sponsor National Israel Solidarity Day.

This will be celebrated in churches across the United States, and Boteach will be proud to know that his birthday celebration is coinciding with this day of solidarity for Israel.

Jay-Z and Fred Armisen Celebrate Birthdays

Though neither of these celebrities are Members of the Tribe, their Jewish connections make us proud to say Mazel Tov and Happy Birthday. Jay-Z gave Jews a shout out in his hit song “Roc Boys,” and considers Israeli producer Lyor Cohen a close friend and mentor.

Likewise, Fred Armisen is best known for his work on Portlandia with Jewish co-star Carrie Brownstein. With Jay-Z celebrating his birthday at the same time as Boteach, the rabbi will be reminded that he may have 99 problems, but Fidel Castro ain’t one.

Cecil B. DeMille’s ‘The Ten Commandments’ premiered in 1923

This Bible-based epic film that celebrates the Jewish fight for freedom happens to have debuted on the same day that Boteach chose to celebrate his birthday. Coincidence? Probably.

But that doesn’t make it any less exciting for Boteach to know that on the day he chose to celebrate his birthday, 93 years prior, Americans across the country were marveling at the Jewish story of freedom.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount