February 23
This event has taken place
Friday Night Shabbat Services
with special guest
Representative Ritchie Torres (NY-15)
Israel’s staunchest defender in the House of Representatives is neither Jewish nor desperate for Jewish votes since his district is heavily African American and Latino. However, Representative Ritchie Torres has stood firm in his principled stance and continues to denounce the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
In the weeks since Hamas’ October 7 attack, he has vociferously supported Israel and denounced antisemitism . . . despite the heat he’s taken in return.
After he compared the demand for a cease-fire to asking Israel to “become the author of its own annihilation” and called claims that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza “blood libel,” his office was barraged with complaints, protestors chanted outside his House office door and anti-Torres flyers were distributed labeling him “Complicit in Genocide.”
Representative Torres has not backed down.
Temple Emanu-El is honored to welcome Congressman Torres to the bima during Friday night worship services.
This event has taken place
In-Person & Virtual Friday Night Services