By COLlive reporter
A group of Chabad Rabbis met with US Congressman Mark Meadows, Republican of North Carolina, and his wife Debbie, during their visit to New York on Monday.
Meadows, who served three terms as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is known for his support of Israel, including his leadership of a bipartisan charge to condemn the United Nation’s anti-Semitic, anti-Israel record in fighting back against anti-Israel policies.
He has been at the forefront of efforts to sanction Iran’s proxy terrorist organization, authoring important legislation that would expand sanctions on Hezbollah.
The meeting was attended by Rabbi Yaacov Behrman, founder of Jewish Future Alliance, Rabbi Chezky Wolff, Rabbi of Congregation Emunath Israel – Chelsea Shul and founder of JgradsNYC, Rabbi Mendy Weitman, Founder & Director of the Jewish Latin Center, and Rabbi Mendy Shuchat, Adult education and program director of the Jewish Latin Center.
Elizabeth Alberti, liaison to the Jewish community and Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky of Merkos Suite 302 coordinated the meeting.
Meadows’ pro- Israel position with the current Trump administration has been vital to securing the pro-Israel agenda, such as the historic move of the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Meadows ensured the White House understood the Golan Heights’ critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and regional stability, and he was a vital force behind Trump’s commuting Ronen Nahmani’s disproportionate harsh sentence.
During the meeting, the group spoke about the importance of the American Israeli Alliance and thanked the Congressman for his strong advocacy of Israel, including moving the US embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing the Golan Heights.
Congressman Meadows noted that whenever he speaks and mentions the US Israeli alliance, his words are met by a standing ovation.
“Standing shoulder to shoulder with others in support of the nation of Israel and the Jewish people is always the right thing to do,” Congressman Meadows told COLlive. “It brings people to their feet in North Carolina with standing ovations and forms friendships with people from very different backgrounds. It is an honor to daily stand with my friends new and old for this worthwhile cause,” he said.
Meadows also offered his assistance on issues relating to Chabad program CTeen, as well as advocating for prisoners overseas and in the US, mentioning his work with the Aleph Institute and his work on behalf of prisoners.
Also discussed was the rise in anti-semitism in Europe and the United States, and the critical need for bi-Partisan support of Israel, as well as the need for moderate democrats to speak out on these issues.
Rabbi Weitman, who services an immigrant community in New York, highlighted the fact that his flourishing congregation is the byproduct of immigration policies done through the proper channels, with laws and protocols followed, benefiting both the immigrants and the country. The conversation highlighted the contributions of the immigrant population of the country.
The meeting ended with the Congressman resolving to become more involved in his connection to the Jewish community.
Big Yasher Koach to Rabbi Chezky Wolff. Chezky has always been on the forefront of community activism and honestly the Jewish community in NYC would look very different without him!
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