Conservative commentator Candace Owens has once again found herself at the center of controversy. This time, her target is an unexpected one: Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the late leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, revered by millions worldwide.
A Legacy Under Attack
Owens accused the Lubavitcher Rebbe, as Schneerson was known, of promoting "Jewish supremacism and hatred of all non-Jews." It couldn't' be farther from the truth.
"It's a grotesque mischaracterization," says Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy, who found himself in a surpising and unusual position as he joined many otherin condemning Owens' remarks.
The Man Behind the Controversy
For those unfamiliar with Rabbi Schneerson, the accusations seem at odds with his legacy. From 1950 until his passing in 1994, the Rebbe led a movement that became synonymous with outreach and inclusivity. Under his guidance, Chabad houses sprouted across the globe, offering everything from spiritual guidance to hot meals for those in need – regardless of faith or background.
"The Rebbe's teachings were about building bridges, not walls," explains Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, a long-time assistant to Schneerson. "To suggest otherwise is to fundamentally misunderstand his life's work."
A Pattern of Provocation
Althougb Owens is no stranger to making polarizing statements, many argue this latest comment has gone too far, venturing into territory that feels uncomfortably close to anti-Semitism.
"There's a difference between provocative commentary and outright falsehood," notes Dr. Jonathan Sarna, a professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University. "Owens' comments fall squarely into the latter category."
For now, Owens is again facing mounting criticism. And we can't help but wonder if the old adage 'negative attention is better than no attention' rings true when it comes to her comments.
As for Rabbi Schneerson's legacy, it appears unshaken. "The Rebbe taught us that the strongest response to darkness is light," says Krinsky. "Perhaps that's the lesson we should take from this unfortunate episode."
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