A day after being heckled for his Israel views, Ritchie Torres gets a hero’s welcome at Bronx Jewish school

(New York Jewish Week) – The day earlier than winter break begins is commonly an thrilling one at college, with pizza events, films at school and different laid-back actions. However at SAR Academy, a Fashionable Orthodox Ok-8 day faculty within the Bronx neighborhood of Riverdale, the air was abuzz for a special purpose: Their congressman, Ritchie Torres, was stopping by for a go to to reaffirm his assist for Israel.

Torres, a Democrat who’s an outspoken ally of Israel in Congress and on-line, was a visitor of honor at SAR’s morning meeting, the place all the faculty neighborhood comes collectively to say Tehillim — psalms stated for therapeutic and safety — and sing prayers for Israel and the Jewish folks, in a each day ritual that started the Monday morning after the Oct. 7 Hamas assault on Israel.

For the scholars at SAR Academy, Torres is one thing of a star, having visited the varsity a handful of instances prior to now few years and even touring to Israel with the varsity’s principal, Rabbi Binyamin Krauss, final yr on a Jewish Group Relations Council journey. The congressman, who was beforehand a member of the New York Metropolis Council, was greeted with uproarious applause — some college students held posters studying “The Bronx Loves Ritchie Torres,” whereas others stopped him for a selfie or tried to provide him selfmade crafts. 

“I do know, as a congressman, I’m not presupposed to have favorites — however SAR is one in all my favorites as a result of it’s a particular and magical place,” Torres, 35, advised the group of almost 1,000 college students and college. “It’s moments like these that we’re reminded that what issues most, and most in life is household, and friendship and religion.”

SAR Academy college students lined as much as take selfies and shake arms with the congressman, Dec. 22, 2023. (Julia Gergely)

It was a stark distinction from the reception Torres received Thursday night time at a special Jewish venue, the 92NY Jewish cultural heart on the Higher East Facet. There, whereas discussing his just lately handed invoice to assign a particular envoy for the Abraham Accords, the peace offers between Israel and Arab international locations, he was interrupted by anti-Israel protesters who shouted, amongst different issues, “Ritchie Torres, you possibly can’t disguise, we cost you with genocide.” 

At SAR, nonetheless, it was all smiles for the Bronx native, who first traveled to Israel in 2015 with UJA-Federation New York and the JCRC when he was first elected to metropolis council, and who has been a outstanding supporter since. 

“After I’m in my district in a spot like SAR, I’m warmly acquired,” Torres advised the New York Jewish Week. “Clearly, amongst anti-Israel activists, I’m thought of controversial. However in life, it’s a must to combat for what you consider in.”

He stated no quantity of criticism may deter him from his assist for Israel, which units him aside from different younger members of Congress, significantly representatives of shade.

“I consider in Israel’s proper to exist as a Jewish state and I consider within the U.S.-Israel relationship and I’m by no means going to waver from that perception,” Torres added.

Forward of Torres’ remarks, Krauss thanked the congressman for his continued assist of Israel and SAR. “We by no means need our youngsters’ affiliation with Israel to be destructive or unhappy; we additionally realize it’s necessary to inform them the reality, so there’s been a whole lot of unhappiness recently,” he stated. “However what you selected to do at present, on Erev Shabbat, proper earlier than we’re all going out for a well-deserved vacation break, is to share good and hopeful information. That’s what our kids are listening to, and I promise you that that’s one thing they are going to by no means, ever neglect.”

(L-R) Congressman Ritchie Torres, Rabbi Binyamen Krauss and Israeli Consul Common Aviv Ezra take questions from a gaggle SAR Academy college students , Dec. 22, 2023. (Julia Gergely)

After Torres and Israeli Consul Common Aviv Ezra greeted the coed physique with temporary remarks, they held a small press convention of kinds with members of SAR’s pupil council, a gaggle of about 10 college students representing every grade on the faculty.

“That is actually thrilling for me,” eighth-grader Hannah Goldstein, the coed council president, advised the New York Jewish Week. “There’s lots occurring in Israel and there’s a whole lot of arguments about what’s proper and what’s incorrect. It’s actually particular to have somebody come that’s representing America and representing the Bronx and say, ‘That is what I’m standing up for.’” 

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Torres advised the scholars he noticed them as being a part of shaping a extra peaceable future for Israel. 

“The way forward for the Center East is neither pro-Israel nor pro-Arab — the way forward for the Center East is each pro-Israel and pro-Arab,” Torres stated in his remarks. “We’re right here at SAR as a result of the scholars signify the longer term leaders of our society. These college students are going to combat to create a world the place all the youngsters of Abraham — Jews, Christians and Muslims — can coexist in peace and prosperity. Yours is the era that’s going to appreciate the Abrahamic dream and construct on the muse of the Abraham Accords.”

The scholars didn’t draw back from asking robust questions. One middle-schooler requested Torres what extra he and the U.S. authorities may and can do to assist Israel, whereas an elementary-aged boy puzzled if Torres would contemplate supporting a rustic who has attacked Israel prior to now in the event that they have been to wish support in the future. 

To the primary query, Torres answered that Congress was engaged on a safety help invoice for the replenishment of support to the Iron Dome. And to the second query, Torres urged the coed to attract distinctions between folks and their governments, particularly when fascinated about supporting Palestinians in a path in the direction of peace whereas holding Hamas accountable.

It was Torres himself who prompt a gathering with the day faculty college students. “SAR is an iconic establishment,” he advised the New York Jewish Week about why he thought it was necessary to go to the varsity. “These college students are going to be the longer term leaders who’re going to be combating for the world that’s envisioned by the Abraham Accords, they’re going to be residing on this planet that we’re describing right here at present.” 

Torres then turned to the scholars and stated: “All of you might be combating for the correct of Israel to exist as a Jewish state, and the correct of Israel to defend itself in opposition to an existential risk. It’s an honor to be a righteous ally in that trigger.”