Richard Sugarman facts for kids

Richard Sugarman was born on July 12, 1944. He is an American professor and also advises politicians. He teaches about religion at the University of Vermont. People know him as a top expert on a French philosopher named Emmanuel Levinas. He also helped Bernie Sanders when Sanders ran for president in 2016.

Richard Sugarman's Early Life

Richard Sugarman was born in Buffalo, New York. His family background is Ukrainian Jewish on his father's side and English Jewish on his mother's side. His father's family followed Hasidic Jewish traditions. His mother was a Reform Jew. His father was an entrepreneur, meaning he started many different businesses.

Sugarman went to Yale University. He earned a degree in philosophy in 1966. His college roommate was Joe Lieberman, who later became a U.S. Senator. After Yale, he continued his studies. He earned a master's degree from Yale in 1969. Then, he received his Ph.D. (a high-level degree) in philosophy from Boston University in 1976.

His Career as a Professor

Richard Sugarman started teaching at the University of Vermont in 1970. He taught both philosophy and religion. In 1974, he joined the new religion department. He became a full professor of religion in 2002.

He has written several books. He focuses on how different ideas connect. These ideas include phenomenology (studying experiences), Jewish philosophy, and existentialism (a philosophy about freedom and responsibility). He is also known as a top expert on Emmanuel Levinas, a philosopher born in Lithuania.

A famous philosopher named Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka once said something interesting. One of Sugarman's articles was on Pope John Paul II's nightstand the day the Pope passed away.

His Work as a Political Advisor

Richard Sugarman has a long history with Bernie Sanders. They even lived together at one point. In 1981, Sugarman encouraged Sanders to run for mayor of Burlington.

Later, Sugarman became an advisor for the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign in 2016. He helped Sanders with his ideas and plans during the election.

Richard Sugarman's Personal Life

Richard Sugarman is married to Linda Sugarman. They have three children. They live in Burlington, Vermont. Sugarman has arthritis, a condition that affects joints.

He is an Orthodox Jew. He attended Congregation Ahavath Gerim. He is also a strong supporter of Zionism. Zionism is the belief in the development and protection of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel.