Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Republican Jewish Coalition endorses five freshmen congressmen

The representatives “have already made a significant, positive impact on issues of concern to the Jewish community,” it stated.

Rep. Thomas Kean Jr.
Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. Credit: Official U.S. House of Representatives Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Rep. Thomas Kean Jr.
Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. (R-New Jersey). Credit: Official U.S. House of Representatives Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Four New York legislators and one from New Jersey have received the backing of the Republican Jewish Coalition.

RJC national chairman Norm Coleman, a former Minnesota senator, and CEO Matt Brooks released a statement on Tuesday saying the group endorses New York Reps. Anthony D’Esposito, Mike Lawler, Marc Molinaro and Brandon Williams; and Thomas Kean Jr. of New Jersey.

The RJC described the five congressional districts as critical in expanding Republican control in Congress.

Reviewing the lawmakers’ achievements, RJC stated that D’Esposito “co-sponsored the bill to require the appointment of a special envoy for the Abraham Accords peace agreements,” and Kean “distinguished himself as a leader in the fight against antisemitism as chairman of the Europe Subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs Committee and a co-sponsor of the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act.”

Lawler’s efforts with a “rapid response to rampant antisemitism at the City University of New York (CUNY)” were lauded, as was the congressman’s push for the “Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act,” which would cut funds for schools that host antisemitic speakers.

RJC called Molinaro “a career problem-solver” and spotlighted that he delivered “on his promise to tackle tough issues like public safety and education.” Williams worked to pass an amendment for elementary and secondary students to learn about the Holocaust.

“At a time when Jewish Americans are facing a deeply troubling rise in violence and harassment, it is critical to recognize organizations that have spent generations standing up to hate and defending the truth,” Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. said.
Rabbi Jason Rosner, of Congregation B’nai Emet, told JNS that “we are prepared to evacuate our Torahs if necessary.”
The PAC’s co-chairs stated that Ammar Campa-Najjar is “the only candidate campaigning on a progressive agenda in this race.”
The International Roundnet Federation no longer plans to bar the team from displaying an Israeli flag or symbols at the championships but warned that further accusations of antisemitism might lead to legal action.
Shomrim Toronto told JNS that the possibility that the girl’s disappearance is related to targeting of the Jewish community is “not something of concern at the moment.”