A 1969 assignment to smuggle religious materials into the Soviet Union marked the beginning of Dennis Prager’s career as a public voice. Born in New York City in 1948, Prager transitioned from an activist for Soviet Jewry to a prominent radio personality, author, and commentator who eventually co-founded the digital media organization PragerU in 2009.
Early Education and Soviet Advocacy
Raised in a Modern Orthodox home, Prager attended the Yeshivah of Flatbush before earning a B.A. from Brooklyn College in 1970. He pursued further studies at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs and the University of Leeds. During his time in England, he engaged in clandestine work for the Israeli government, transporting religious artifacts to Soviet Jews and extracting names of those seeking to emigrate. This experience led to his role as national spokesman for the Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Radio Career and Moral Philosophy
Prager entered professional broadcasting in 1982 when KABC in Los Angeles hired him to host the religious talk show Religion on the Line. His media presence expanded to television with a syndicated program in 1994, which he described as an opportunity to disseminate his moral framework to a broader audience. Throughout his career, he wrote columns for newspapers and founded his own quarterly journal, Ultimate Issues, later titled The Prager Perspective.
Theological Writings and Political Views
In 1975, Prager and Joseph Telushkin published The Nine Questions People Ask About Judaism, which achieved best-seller status. His subsequent work, Why the Jews?, examined the origins of antisemitism. A supporter of Jimmy Carter in the 1976 election, Prager later shifted toward social and political conservatism. By 1996, he provided testimony to Congress in support of the Defense of Marriage Act and became a vocal advocate for conservative values in American culture.
Recent Developments
Prager continued his career as a YouTuber and host of The Dennis Prager Show into the 2020s. In November 2024, he suffered a fall that resulted in paralysis below the shoulders. His career remains defined by his output as a columnist, theologian, and media commentator based in the United States.
Fast facts
- Born: 1948, New York City
- Education: Brooklyn College, Columbia University
- Radio Debut: 1982, KABC Los Angeles
- PragerU Founding Year: 2009
- Citizenship: United States
- Religious background: Modern Orthodox Jewish upbringing
Questions readers ask
What subjects did Dennis Prager study in college?
He double-majored in anthropology and history at Brooklyn College.
What was the purpose of PragerU?
It was established in 2009 to advocate for capitalism and promote conservative viewpoints on political, economic, and cultural topics.
Achievements
- Educated at Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University and Yeshivah of Flatbush
- Worked as radio personality, writer and journalist
