{{short description|American conservative commentator}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Bethany Mandel | birth_name = Bethany Ann Horowitz | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1986}} | education = [[Rutgers University–New Brunswick|Rutgers University, New Brunswick]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]]) | spouse = [[Seth Mandel]] | children = 6 }}
'''Bethany Shondark Mandel'''{{r|twitteroftheweek}} (born '''Bethany Ann Horowitz''') is an American [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]] columnist and political commentator. She is a contributor to the ''[[New York Post]]'' and ''[[Washington Examiner]]'', and is known for her writings on culture, education, and family policy from a right-wing perspective. Mandel was listed among ''[[The Jewish Week]]''{{'}}s "36 under 36" in 2013 and ''[[The Forward]]''{{'}}s "Forward 50" in 2015.{{r|Rutgersalum}} In 2019, the [[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]] named her one of "50 Jews everyone should follow on [[Twitter]]."<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 50 Jews everyone should follow on Twitter |url=https://www.jta.org/2019/01/03/culture/50-jews-to-follow-on-twitter |date=January 3, 2019 |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]] |language=en-US |access-date=May 21, 2020}}</ref>
== Early life and education == Mandel was raised primarily by her mother{{r|twitteroftheweek}} in the [[Rochester, New York]], area,{{r|Washingtonian}} and has described experiencing periods of poverty during her childhood.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |first=Ron |last=Kampeas |date=July 9, 2020 |title=Bethany Mandel will not be canceled |url=https://www.jta.org/2020/07/09/politics/bethany-mandel-will-not-be-canceled |access-date=July 9, 2020 |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Her family relied on government assistance programs including "[[social welfare|welfare]], [[Medicaid]], and [[Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program|food stamps]]."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tweet by Bethany Mandel |url=https://twitter.com/bethanyshondark/status/243171279862108161 |access-date=March 21, 2023 |via=Twitter |language=en}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=March 2025}} Her mother died of [[lupus]] when Mandel was 16.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://bethanyshondark.com/2012/12/28/remembering-my-mom-vera-j-murphy-1956-2002/ |title=Remembering My Mom: Vera J. Murphy 1956–2002 |date=December 28, 2012 |website=Kosher Girl in a Bacon World |access-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811054928/https://bethanyshondark.com/2012/12/28/remembering-my-mom-vera-j-murphy-1956-2002/ |archive-date=August 11, 2017 |url-status=dead|last=Mandel|first=Bethany}}</ref> At age 18, she changed her surname to her mother's [[Maiden and married names|maiden name]], Murphy, becoming Bethany Shondark Murphy.{{r|twitteroftheweek}}<ref name=":1" /> Her father, who struggled with [[opioid]] addiction, died by suicide when she was 19.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://bethanyshondark.com/2012/09/13/seven-years-later/ |title=Seven Years Later |date=September 13, 2012 |website=Kosher Girl in a Bacon World |access-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811054926/https://bethanyshondark.com/2012/09/13/seven-years-later/ |archive-date=August 11, 2017 |url-status=dead|last=Mandel|first=Bethany}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/bethanyshondark/status/892440193810255872 |title=My dad committed suicide in 2009, addicted to opioid painkillers. I don't talk about him much, here or in real life. |last=Mandel |first=Bethany S. |date=August 1, 2017 |website=@bethanyshondark |access-date=August 9, 2017}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=March 2025}}
Mandel graduated from [[Rutgers University]] in 2008 with a [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] in history and [[Jewish studies]].{{r|Rutgersalum}}
== Career == === Early work === After university, Mandel moved to [[Washington, D.C.]], working for the [[Washington Hebrew Congregation]] while seeking a role in conservative politics.{{r|twitteroftheweek}} She subsequently spent a year in [[Cambodia]] teaching fifth grade at the Jay Pritzker Academy near [[Siem Reap]].{{r|twitteroftheweek}}
Returning to Washington, D.C. in 2010, she pursued an [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] [[conversion to Judaism]].<ref name=Washingtonian>{{Cite web |first=Harry |last=Jaffe |url=https://washingtonian.com/2016/01/03/washington-dc-peeping-rabbi-barry-freundel-voyeurism-case/ |title=The Devastating Story of Washington's Peeping-Tom Rabbi |date=January 3, 2016 |website=[[Washingtonian (magazine)|Washingtonian]] |access-date=August 9, 2017}}</ref> Her professional work in the conservative sphere began with a fundraising and writing position at [[The Heritage Foundation]], followed by a role as a marketer, editor, and blogger for ''[[Commentary (magazine)|Commentary]]'' magazine. In 2013, ''[[The Jewish Week]]'' named her one of its "36 under 36" for her role in reinvigorating Jewish public life.{{r|JewishWeek}}
Since 2013, she has worked primarily as a freelance writer and commentator, balancing her career with raising her children at home.{{r|NBCnews}}
=== Writing and commentary === Mandel's commentary frequently addresses education, parenting, and cultural issues from a conservative standpoint. She is a regular contributor to the ''[[New York Post]]'' and ''[[Washington Examiner]]''.
In 2023, she co-authored the book ''Stolen Youth: How Radicals Are Erasing Innocence and Indoctrinating a Generation'' with Karol Markowicz, which critiques progressive ideologies in education and culture.
=== Public controversies === ==== "Woke" definition ==== On March 14, 2023, during an interview on ''[[Rising (web series)|Rising]]'', Mandel struggled to provide a concise definition of the term "[[woke]]," a central concept in her then-new book. The awkward exchange, where she stated, "This is going to be one of those moments that goes [[Viral video|viral]]," quickly circulated on social media and news outlets.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shapero |first=Julia |date=March 15, 2023 |title=Conservative author Bethany Mandel struggles to come up with definition of 'woke' |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/3901688-conservative-author-bethany-mandel-struggles-to-come-up-with-definition-of-woke/ |access-date=December 15, 2023 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Thakker |first1=Prem |last2=Otten |first2=Tori |date=November 1, 2022 |title=A Viral Moment on the Definition of "Woke" Reveals All You Need to Know About the Right's Attacks |magazine=The New Republic |url=https://newrepublic.com/post/171184/bethany-mandel-viral-moment-definition-woke |access-date=December 15, 2023 |issn=0028-6583}}</ref>
In a subsequent ''[[Newsweek]]'' op-ed, she criticized the interview's tone and offered her definition: "a radical belief system suggesting that our institutions are built around discrimination, and claiming that all disparity is a result of that discrimination. It seeks a radical redefinition of society in which equality of group result is the end point, enforced by an angry mob."<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Mandel |first=Bethany |date=March 17, 2023 |title=I was asked to define woke. My humiliation went viral |url=https://www.newsweek.com/define-woke-bethany-mandel-conservative-book-1788538 |access-date=December 15, 2023 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref>
==== COVID-19 pandemic remarks ==== During the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]], Mandel was a vocal critic of prolonged lockdowns and school closures. In a May 2020 tweet, she wrote: "You can call me a Grandma killer. I'm not sacrificing my home, food on the table, all of our docs and dentists, every form of pleasure (museums, zoos, restaurants), all my kids' teachers in order to make other people comfortable. If you want to stay locked down, do. I'm not."<ref>{{cite news |title='You can call me a grandma killer,' opponent of lockdown says, and social media obliges |url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2020/05/you-can-call-me-a-grandma-killer-opponent-of-lockdown-says-and-social-media-obliges.html |access-date=May 6, 2020 |work=[[The Star-Ledger]] |date=May 6, 2020}}</ref> She has also consistently opposed mask mandates for children.<ref name=NYT />
=== "Heroes of Liberty" book series === Mandel is the editor of the "Heroes of Liberty" series, a line of children's biographies featuring conservative figures. The books are marketed as an alternative to mainstream children's publishing, deliberately omitting content on topics like [[LGBTQ]] identities that might conflict with conservative values.<ref name=NYT>{{Cite news |last1=Hounshell |first1=Blake |last2=Askarinam |first2=Leah |date=February 3, 2022 |title='Daddy, What's an Originalist?' |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/02/us/politics/bethany-mandel-conservative-childrens-books.html |access-date=February 3, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
In January 2022, a [[Facebook]] advertising account for the series was temporarily banned for violating "Low Quality or Disruptive Content" policies, a move Facebook later called a "mistake." The ban drew criticism from conservative commentators and politicians, including Senator [[Ted Cruz]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Contreras |first=Russell |title=Conservative children's book startup release works on John Wayne, Amy Coney Barrett |url=https://www.axios.com/children-books-focusing-on-conservative-icons-6a945b7f-13b5-495b-8f66-4e96166e705c.html |access-date=February 9, 2022 |website=[[Axios (website)|Axios]] |date=February 9, 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Barrabi |first=Thomas |date=January 4, 2022 |title=Facebook restores conservative book publisher's account after 'error' |url=https://nypost.com/2022/01/04/facebook-reinstates-conservative-heroes-of-liberty-account/ |access-date=February 17, 2022 |website=[[The New York Post]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Mandel has accused the [[Scholastic Corporation]] of indoctrinating children by distributing books with themes of race, sexuality, and [[anti-Americanism]] through school book fairs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Neil |first1=Tyler |title=Conservative publisher Heroes of Liberty takes aim at the Scholastic 'Woketopus' |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/conservative-heroes-liberty-scholastic-woketopus |access-date=February 17, 2022 |work=[[Fox Business]] |date=February 13, 2022}}</ref>
=== Political activism and school board campaign === Mandel has been involved in local education politics. In November 2023, she was a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the [[Montgomery County Public Schools (Maryland)|Montgomery County school board]], alleging she was improperly barred from a school board meeting as a member of the media.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Konieczny |first1=Rachel |title=Pair sue over denied access to Montgomery County school board meeting on LGBTQ-themed books |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2023/11/14/pair-sue-after-being-denied-access-to-montgomery-co-school-board-meeting-on-lgbtq-themed-books/ |access-date=February 13, 2024 |work=Maryland Daily Record |date=November 14, 2023}}</ref>
In February 2024, she filed to run for the 4th district seat on the Montgomery County Board of Education.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pollak |first1=Suzanne |title=At Filing Deadline, Here Are the School Board Candidates |url=https://www.mymcmedia.org/at-filing-deadline-here-are-the-school-board-candidates/ |access-date=February 13, 2024 |work=Montgomery Community Media |date=February 10, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Her platform emphasized refocusing on academics, reinstating school resource officers, and allowing homeschooled children access to public school extracurricular activities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Issues |url=https://www.bethany4boe.com/issues |website=Bethany Mandel |access-date=February 13, 2024}}</ref> She pledged to recuse herself from matters related to her pending lawsuit if elected.<ref>{{cite web |title=FAQ |url=https://www.bethany4boe.com/faq |website=Bethany Mandel}}</ref> In the May 2024 primary, she received 23.4% of the vote, placing third and not advancing.<ref>{{cite web |title=Unofficial 2024 Presidential Primary Election Results for Montgomery County |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2024/primary_results/gen_results_2024_by_county_16.html |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref>
== Political views == Mandel's commentary aligns with mainstream [[American conservatism]], emphasizing limited government, traditional family structures, and skepticism of progressive social policies.
On U.S. refugee policy, she expressed concern in 2015 about the resettlement of [[Refugees of the Syrian civil war|Syrian refugees]] in [[Highland Park, New Jersey|Highland Park]], New Jersey, arguing that inadequate support could lead to radicalization.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yi |first=Karen |title=NJ religious leaders: We must accept Syrian refugees |url=https://www.app.com/story/news/world/2015/11/23/religious-leaders-we-must-accept-syrian-refugees/76109348/ |access-date=November 19, 2021 |website=[[Asbury Park Press]] |language=en-US|date=23 November 2015|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/Id2qQ|archive-date=12 May 2026|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Amaral |first=Brian |date=November 24, 2015 |title=Highland Park clergy press for 'open doors' to refugees |url=https://www.nj.com/middlesex/2015/11/syrian_refugees_frank_pallone_highland_park_event.html |access-date=November 19, 2021 |website=[[NJ.com]] |language=en}}</ref> In 2021, however, she criticized the [[Biden administration]] for what she perceived as a slow and disorganized effort to resettle [[Afghan refugees|refugees from Afghanistan]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mandel |first=Bethany |date=September 2, 2021 |title=Opinion: When Biden dropped the ball in Afghanistan, America showed up |url=https://www.deseret.com/2021/9/2/22654400/the-swamp-of-washington-showed-its-best-colors-getting-people-out-of-afghanistan |access-date=November 19, 2021 |website=[[Deseret News]] |language=en}}</ref>
== Personal life == Mandel, born to a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] mother and a [[Jews|Jewish]] father, underwent an [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox conversion]] under Rabbi [[Barry Freundel]] in 2011 to secure universally recognized Jewish status.{{r|Washingtonian}}{{r|Rutgersalum}} She has stated that she left [[Reform Judaism]], which she grew up in, due to its alignment with liberal politics.<ref name=":3">{{Cite podcast |title=Bethany S. Mandel: Jews without Community |url=https://18forty.org/podcasts/bethany-s-mandel/ |access-date=November 16, 2020 |website=18Forty |language=en}}{{time missing|date=May 2026}}</ref>
In 2014, she learned Freundel had secretly filmed her and other women during conversion rituals.{{r|Washingtonian}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.jta.org/2014/10/21/news-opinion/united-states/freundels-abuse-of-power-extended-beyond-mikvah-peeping-1 |first=Uriel |last=Heilman |title=Converts say Freundel's abuse of power extended beyond mikvah peeping |publisher=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |access-date=August 9, 2017 |date=October 21, 2014}}</ref> In response, she wrote a widely shared "Convert Bill of Rights" and served on a [[Rabbinical Council of America]] (RCA) committee reviewing conversion procedures.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=https://www.jta.org/2014/10/29/news-opinion/united-states/rca-forms-committee-to-review-conversion-process-in-wake-of-freundel-scandal |title=RCA sets panel to review conversion process in wake of Freundel scandal |publisher= |access-date=August 9, 2017 |date=October 29, 2014|website=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]}}</ref> Disillusioned by what she saw as the RCA's reluctance to implement substantive reforms, she resigned from the committee and temporarily withdrew from Orthodox institutions before later joining a synagogue in [[Kemp Mill, Maryland|Kemp Mill]], Maryland.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> Her advocacy led to her inclusion in [[The Forward|''The'' ''Forward'']]{{'}}s "Forward 50" list in 2015.{{r|Forward50}}
She is married to commentator [[Seth Mandel]], and they have six children.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Jennifer |date=October 27, 2021 |title=Meet the couple out to convince you to have more kids |url=https://www.deseret.com/2021/10/27/22716444/meet-bethany-and-seth-mandel-the-d-c-power-couple-out-to-popularize-big-family-conservative-liberal |access-date=November 18, 2021 |website=[[Deseret News]] |language=en}}</ref>
== References == <references> <ref name="twitteroftheweek">{{cite web |url=https://glenlasbury.wordpress.com/2010/12/06/twitter-personality-of-the-week-17-10-questions-for-bethany-shondark-murphy-bethanyshondark/ |title=Twitter Personality of the Week #17: 10 Questions for Bethany Shondark Murphy (@bethanyshondark) |date=December 6, 2010}}</ref> <ref name="Rutgersalum">{{Cite news |url=http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/outreach/caring-communities/2016/06/02/legacy-leaders-rising-stars-honored/85289768/ |title=Rutgers Hillel honors legacy, leaders, rising stars at gala |work=My Central Jersey |access-date=August 9, 2017 |language=en |first=Esther |last=Reed |date=April 6, 2016}}</ref> <ref name="NBCnews">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/tammy-duckworth-s-senate-vote-baby-tow-model-accommodation-working-ncna867611 |title=Tammy Duckworth's Senate vote with a baby in tow is a model of accommodation for working mothers |date=April 19, 2018 |author=Mandel |publisher= |quote="I have balanced full-time, stay-at-home motherhood alongside a writing career for almost five years (and I’m not unique in that). I have brought my children to interviews, to speaking engagements and on work trips. I’ve nursed a baby during a live video interview that began later than anticipated (which would otherwise have fallen during a nap time), I’ve bounced a baby in a baby carrier while giving testimony in open court. In the background of almost every single work-related call is the sound of children laughing, arguing and, sometimes, both."|first=Bethany|website=[[NBC Think]]}}</ref> <ref name="JewishWeek">{{Cite news |url=http://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/bethany-mandel-27/ |title=Bethany Mandel, 27 |work=Jewish Week |access-date=August 9, 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref> <ref name="Forward50">{{Cite news |url=http://forward.com/series/forward-50/2015/bethany-mandel/ |title=Bethany Mandel |work=The Forward |access-date=August 9, 2017}}</ref> </references>
== External links == * [https://themomwars.substack.com/ Substack blog: The Mom Wars]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mandel, Bethany Shondark}} [[Category:1986 births]] [[Category:21st-century American Jews]] [[Category:21st-century American journalists]] [[Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers]] [[Category:21st-century American women writers]] [[Category:21st-century converts to Judaism]] [[Category:American columnists]] [[Category:American political commentators]] [[Category:American political writers]] [[Category:American women non-fiction writers]] [[Category:American Zionists]] [[Category:Converts to Orthodox Judaism]] [[Category:Jewish American journalists]] [[Category:Jewish American non-fiction writers]] [[Category:Jewish American women writers]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:New Jersey Republicans]] [[Category:People from Highland Park, New Jersey]] [[Category:Rutgers University alumni]] [[Category:21st-century American women journalists]]