Content area
Full text
Lizzy Savetsky is having a very good year.
She attended President Donald Trump's inauguration celebrations, secured a spot on the all-influencer ticket for the World Zionist Congress, debuted a line of children's swimsuits – modeled by her own three kids – and still found time to vacation in Miami, documenting every moment for her 412,000 Instagram followers.
She somehow did all of this while also fending off the masked jihadists infiltrating Columbia University, championing Israel's seven-front existential battle for existence, and taking on the Jewish people's most dangerous foes: Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer and rabbis who oppose the ethnic cleansing of Gaza. Hashtag blessed.
The Dallas-born cheerleader-turned-Manhattan fashion designer and momfluencer found her way to Orthodox Judaism when she met plastic surgeon Ira Savetsky. In 2022, Lizzy was cast in the 14th season of "The Real Housewives of New York City" – the hit reality show chronicling the glamorous, drama-filled lives of wealthy women. But shortly after the announcement, Savetsky revealed that she had decided to leave the show before filming began. She said the decision stemmed from a wave of antisemitic abuse she received following the casting news.
But several other sources, including Page Six, reported that tensions arose after another cast member asked Savetsky – who was known for her matchmaking skills – to set her up with a Jewish man. Savetsky reportedly declined, explaining she only matches Jews with other Jews to preserve Jewish continuity. The conversation escalated, eventually leading to Savetsky's husband using a racial slur in a phone conversation with producers. Though he apologized, the situation apparently led to his wife's exit from the show.
Lizzy went back to posting videos of her family that celebrated Judaism and Israel. But after the October 7 attack, she pivoted to what can only be described as full-blown hasbara – a Hebrew term that can be understood as public diplomacy or propaganda, depending on one's perspective.
Like hasbara itself, Savetsky is a polarizing figure. Her fans hail her as a "Jewish lioness" and a "modern-day Queen Esther," as one website recently enthused. But she also has a dedicated contingent of detractors who accuse her of distorting facts, defending Israeli military actions that some classify as war crimes and even leveraging her children to...