The man hoping to become the first Orthodox rabbi to hold a Congressional seat is being backed by one of the Republican Party's most powerful financial supporters.

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, the former chaplain of Oxford University, is hoping to win a typically Democrat-held seat in New Jersey at November's elections.

His campaign coffers have now been given a hefty boost, thanks to Jewish casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and his wife Miriam. Mr Adelson has donated an estimated $10 million to political action committees that support Mitt Romney, the Republican hopeful for the presidency.

He has now turned his attention to Rabbi Boteach, and according to the Washington Post the couple have given a total of $500,000 to a PAC that supports him.

"I treasure the Adelsons' support," said the rabbi, describing the donation as a "game-changer".

"They are among the most generous and sophisticated political donors in the country."

Rabbi Boteach is a well known figure in both Jewish and wider circles, not least as the author of the books Kosher Sex and Kosher Jesus.