The Leonard Lopate Show

These stories are a dime a dozen. What makes Louis's religious conversion while in prison different from every other story of its kind?

"What makes Louis's religious conversion while in prison different from every other story of its kind?"

Well this station clearly favors any story they can find about Judaism. Just tune in any week of the year.

Brian Lehar and Leonard Lopate feature more Jew-centric stories per-week than anything else. Surprising for how large their audience is. I guess it's the sponsors.

This is a new low, this man is disgusting. He is a "victim."

Wow!

Nice (veiled) anti-Semitic remarks! WTF?!!?

They don't have "Jew-centric" stories, like you say. They both happen to be Jewish, but they in no way, focus on Jewish stories over others.

What's with the hostility?

I happen to be a goyum, before you accuse me otherwise...

I like these stories and I'm not Jewish - keep em coming

This story is NOT a dime a dozen, and it is not ONLY about his religious conversion, but rather about his rehabilitation. Those with existing prejudices tend to only hear what they want to hear, which is why you must have missed the bulk of the interview when he explained his path to educate himself and how he managed to find his way back to a functioning member of society. His religious conversion is only one part of the story. This guy should be commended for the strength it took to change.

His conversion to Judaism is only of interest because of the novelty of it, considering most come out of jail as 1/5ers or other types of Muslims or Christians. It would have been just an interesting story had he turned Buddhist or Hindu or any other religion that is not represented in jail populations.

Listen more, hate less.

It's a shame that people choose to focus on labels and politics rather than appreciate and honor the story of a person who turned his life around - no matter what his particular faith beliefs are.

I was listening to his thug sounding voice and his vocabulary. Was first blown away by his reading classics and then my lid flew off when I heard he became an OJ.

This story is one in a million!

Pay attention: the book is not called "from prison to Torah", but ...to Proust. Yes, religious conversions under the inhumane and degrading conditions of prison are common (and probably beneficial,as they help peoplefind hope). The amazing part is the education he was able to create for himself, the analytical potential he uncovered (studying history of religion?!) - a fabulous story of human potential. I just wonder how this new person (cultured,and Jew in the bargain) was welcomed back in the old neighborhood. Or was he?

Wow! I would love to meet this guy. His story is fascinating. I am looking forward to reading his book.

Louis sounds like an amazing, intelligent guy, very inspirational--I'd love to have heard more. I can't wait to read the book to see how he educated himself and turned his life around.

I'm Irish Catholic and find this fascinating as well.

"Sara Best" is the *worst* kind of commenter her.

But, to her bizarre credit, at least she doesn't hide her anti-Semitic in veiled terms. She is candid about her hatred.

I found the interview with Louis Ferrante extremely interesting for a number of reasons, not the least of which is his conversion to the world of literature. I would love to go to the book signing, but unfortunately my work schedule precludes me from attending. I will, however, read his book to discover the evolution of his journey. Bravo, Louis.

Wow! I'm blown away by Sara Best's blatant anti-semitism! I thought only intelligient, open-minded human beings tuned in to NPR.

Louis Ferrante's fascinating story was worth hearing about. Period.

I have a very similar background to Mr. Ferrante and am lucky that I got out. I am convinced that only fate and some breaks were what helped me. I am in awe of anyone's ability to change, especially in such a dramatic manner as this. As far as the anti-Semitism, get a freaking life Sara. The study of any religion in depth is quite a feat and I commend Mr. Ferrante for this.