He quotes from an ancient collection of Jewish teachings: No one is required to complete the task, but neither are we free to refrain from it.. recalled to Philadelphia Magazine in 2007. Milton Shapp took office? The shooting had tested his faith. I said, We need to do an ad on this. We need to tell people who this guy really is.. He was born to Steve and Judi Shapiro on June 20, 1973. He said, You know, Im not a legislator. He is serving his second term and became a household name when he released a grand jury report focused on the Catholic Church's sex scandal that found 1k children had been abused by the Roman Catholic Leading up to the January inauguration of Josh Shapiro and Austin Davis, the Shapiro-Davis Inaugural Committee held a series of four interactive contests that would give community members a chance to be part of the inauguration of Pennsylvanias next governor and lieutenant governor. Shapiros parents set a very good example for me to live a life of faith and service, he said. 2023 jewish telegraphic agency all rights reserved. ) Post Office Box 22635 Dad to four kids. Shapiro impressed people in the district with his lowkey straightforwardness, said Betsy Sheerr, a Jewish lay leader and a Democrat who was friendly with both candidates, and that provided a contrast with Fox, who would shift his positions depending on the listener. And he would always try to get everybody involved and make everybody feel like theyre a part of the process.. From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, "Is This The Moment Josh Shapiro Has Been Waiting For? Shapiro, 49, succeeds outgoing Democratic Governor Tom Wolf, who served two terms. Statewide elections are always close here, he says. I'm determined to bring common sense reforms to our criminal justice system, protect victims and be smart on crime. It offers a much-needed respite from the reactive, defense posture that has seized the community.. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. (JTA) On the day before he was set to be sworn in as Pennsylvanias governor, Josh Shapiro had somewhere important to be: the Jewish community center in the state capital of Harrisburg. PHILADELPHIA In one of the poorest neighborhoods in one of the poorest big cities in the country, blocks away from where a woman was gunned down just the day A week ahead of the election, Shapiro is in a double-digit lead compared to his Republican counterpart according to a survey released byMuhlenberg College/Morning Call. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. But Matt Handel, a onetime Republican activist who left the party after Donald Trump was elected president, said that while Shapiro made enemies in the statehouse, he never let it get to him. He keeps kosher and has Shabbat dinner at home every Friday something he says he refuses to let his campaign get in the way of. Copyright 2023 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Sharon Levin taught Shapiro government at Akiba Hebrew Academy (now called Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy) and said he stood apart at an age when boys interested in politics tend to flex their intellectual muscles through outspoken opinions and grandstanding. Josh Shapiro (D) will appoint an interim senator. If Shapiro can fend off the far-right firebrand, he would catapult into the position of one of the most prominent Jewish elected officials in the country and be talked about within political circles as a future presidential or vice-presidential candidate. In some communities where one might think I wouldnt be welcome, and I speak about my faith, I find that it actually allows me to connect with people on a deeper level, he says. During the encounter, which Groen and Shapiro did not make public at the time, the teens went from standoffish to hugging 93-year-old Sipora Groen after hearing her story. He is the third Jewish governor in Pennsylvania's history, following Milton Shapp and Ed Rendell. ethical teachings excerpted from early Jewish writings. I am looking forward to campaigning across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to listen to your ideas, address your concerns and earn your vote. I'll hold corrupt officials accountable for their actions and do my part to end the disgraceful behavior that has besmirched our commonwealth. My wife Lori and I were high school sweethearts and we've been blessed with four incredible children. WebJosh Shapiro (II) + Add or change photo on IMDbPro . At the time, Shapiro had read that Andrew Torba, Gabs CEO, said Mastrianos policy was not to conduct interviews with reporters who arent Christian. (Mastriano, who did not respond to a request for comment for this story, said on Twitter that Torba doesnt speak for me and that I reject antisemitism in any form.) It angered Shapiro. But then the conversations took a turn Aronchick didnt expect. Mastriano, a state senator who is widely seen as the archetype of the rise of Christian nationalism in the GOP, is courting MAGA-aligned Evangelicals and other conservative Christians. We showed that we could reform our pension system without hurting hard working government employees. Josh shows up for us just by being so proudly Jewish and that is really something because Rendell, who I worked for and who I love, I mean, he never hid his Jewishness, but he didnt wear it on his sleeve, she said. Lieberman, the first Jew on a major-party presidential ticket, recalled being ridiculed and questioned by Jewish groups for expressing his faith at campaign events, That hasnt happened for Shapiro, who is part of a relatively younger generation including congresspersons. Shapiros response to his opponent Doug Mastrianos Christian nationalism has not been to decry the entry of religion into the race; in some ways, he has amplified it. That is not freedom. WebAge. And I think Josh gets credit for being a good family man and a person of very strong faith., Amid a rise in antisemitic incidents across the nation, Shapiro is effectively making a bet that most Pennsylvanians are good, unprejudiced people. Vote Smart's mission is to provide free, factual, unbiased information on candidates and elected officials to ALL Americans. However, even Shapiros critics respect his devotion to his Jewish faith and his family. Negrin is perhaps best known in Pennsylvania for his tenure in Philadelphia politics, when he first worked as executive director of the Board of Revision of Taxes, then served as deputy mayor and city managing director. Shapiro reportedly refused to run on a ticket with him, Democrats abandoned Hoeffel, and Hoeffel quit the race. I'll do this by advocating for and adopting tough ethical standards and by looking out for those who often get hurt in the system that is rigged against them. This was a pretty difficult group of kids, I dont mean problematic, but kids who like to argue, to debate every point, she said. In addition to the Tanakh from the Tree of Life synagogue, his swearing-in will, reportedly take place on a Bible used by a Jewish soldier from Pennsylvania, Police, security agencies advise Jews to be on alert ahead of planned National Day of Hate on Shabbat, American citizen killed in latest West Bank shooting amid escalating violence, This Orthodox Jewish model made history at New York Fashion Week. Others might think, Do I look too progressive? It wasnt a thought on Joshs mind.. 'That's my guy. By the time he was 31, in 2004, Shapiro was running for his first elected position as a Pennsylvania state representative. When news emerged this summer that Mastrianos campaign had shelled out $5,000 to Gab for consulting services, Shapiro didnt hesitate. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In November 2022, Josh made history as the highest vote-getter in Pennsylvania gubernatorial history. Shapiro defeated Republican Senator John Rafferty after receiving 3.4 million votes, the most in Pennsylvania history. Tom Wolf just endorse Josh Shapiro for governor in 2022? As attorney general, Shapiros report on the sexual abuse of children by priests and coverups by the Catholic Church made international news. As AG, he has restored integrity to an office badly in need of reform and taken on big fights for the people. Lieberman, the first Jew on a major-party presidential ticket, recalled being ridiculed and questioned by Jewish groups for expressing his faith at campaign events. ", "Did Pennsylvania Gov. BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Shapiro is wearing a thin red string around his wrist, the kind that little old ladies hand out in Jerusalem when they bless visitors to the Western Wall. Instead, he calls himself a populist.. I want to be able to walk in on day one with a team thats ready to go, thats prepared to get to to yes whether on a bill or an economic development project or on a community initiative and get our government working again, Shapiro said. We all have a responsibility to show up, stand up and fight for whats right. Josh Shapiro rose to prominence in 2016 when he was first elected as Pennsylvania attorney general. "When I think about this moment that we are in, I see great opportunity for our commonwealth," Shapiro said at a rally. But hes run a great campaign. That meant campaigning heavily where other Democrats dont often win and investing in communities across the state., Jill Zipin, a longtime Shapiro backer who leads Democratic Jewish Outreach Pennsylvania, said Mastrianos Christian nationalism did not play well in a state that was founded on religious freedoms. Pennsylvania's next Attorney General will face many specific challenges but the most pressing challenge we face today in our justice system is a crisis of confidence, doubts about the administration of justice and the results that follow. Mastriano had allied with an outspoken antisemite, Andrew Torba, the founder of the far-right social media site, Gab, paying for promotion on Gab and accepting a donation from Torba. Afterward, he walked across the street in Squirrel Hill, the beating heart of Pittsburghs Jewish community, to a prayer vigil. None of them wears a kippah on the campaign trail or strictly observes Shabbat, as Lieberman did, but all infuse Jewishness in their public comments and personas. No one ever worked for me who was as bright and focused, with such steely determination, Torricelli told The Philadelphia Inquirer last year. He has staked his campaign on the idea that voters will reject Mastriano not only because hes conservative on abortion or the economy or some other issue but also because, he argues, he peddles racist things, he peddles antisemitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, you name it.. So he certainly understands the process, he understands the amendments, and really what it takes to get a bill across the finish line, Cutler said. So he said, my fallback from school was government, and he was the first sophomore ever to be student president at the University of Rochester, she said. Non-violent offenders, particularly those battling addiction and mental illness, are clogging our prisons and costing us billions of dollars. Attorney General Josh Shapiro, the Democratic nominee, is a first-class fundraiser with a record of winning tough statewide races. The Democratic machine killed off the deputy speaker title in 2009, leading the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent to muse, The Once-Lofty Shapiro; Has He Been Brought Down a Few Pegs?, Shapiros gubernatorial campaign launch last April, I make it home Friday nights for Sabbath dinner, while the camera closed on challahs. WebIf one of Pennsylvanias Senate seats becomes vacant, Gov. I became Chairman of the third-largest county in Pennsylvania and in charge of a $389 million budget and over 2,300 employees. Mastriano "is by far the most extreme and dangerous person to ever run for public office in Pennsylvania," NBC reported Shapiro said aboard his bus. By submitting the above I agree to the privacy policy and terms of use of JTA.org. Shapiro won a seat in the Pennsylvania State House in 2004. Shapiros Republican opponent, Doug Mastriano, led the movement in the state to overturn Joe Bidens election and opposes abortion with no exceptions. It's proof that progressive leadership, built on a foundation of integrity, can restore faith in public service and improve people's lives. (her father, Jack, served as state auditor general from 2005-13). It also stars his four kids and his wife, Lori, whom he refers to as his high school sweetheart., Shapiros ultimate victory was especially sweet to many Jews because he defeated a Republican, Doug Mastriano, who had centered Shapiros Jewishness, but not in a positive way. Putting a spotlight on Mastrianos antisemitic connections is a way for Shapiro to make the case hes too radical. Hoeffel later told the Philadelphia Inquirer, You dont want to turn your back on him. Why didnt his obituaries say so? Avi Maoz, Israeli politician and proud homophobe, resigns from deputy minister role, As Orthodox Union and other Jewish groups condemn settler rampage, many avoid mentioning Benjamin Netanyahu, Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell visit Israel and meet with Netanyahu amid looming crises, Israel bars EU parliament member from entering the country, Israeli government advances legislation that could all but eliminate judicial review, Large painting of Jesus at Merchant Marine Academy will be uncovered and moved to a chapel, Cleveland rabbi sentenced to prison for soliciting underage sex had a prominent Conservative rabbi as his character witness, Why American Eagle now has a mezuzah at its Times Square flagship. Two sources have told me that Shapiros aides bragged in the wake of the primary about Mastriano winning. He gets done what he needs to get done, what he wants to get done, said Robin Schatz, the director of government affairs at the Jewish Federations of Greater Philadelphia. Josh David Shapiro Popularity . In the minutes before he gives his speech at the church, he huddles with a few pastors. one consultant saying Shapiros defense of abortion rights made him inauthentic. I voted against, refused to accept and led the fight to repeal the infamous "pay-raise" that was passed in the dark of night. Aronchick recalled Shapiro in 2004 seeking the endorsement of Howard Dean, the former Vermont governor who was then a standard bearer for progressives. Moreover, he was born to Steven A. Shapiro (father), however, there is no information about his mother and early life. Likewise, he belongs to white ethnicity and holds an American nationality. Furthermore, Shapiro attended the University of Rochester and graduated from there with magna cum laude in 1995. Democrat Josh Shapiro, who won the Pennsylvania governors race, addresses the media after casting his ballot on Nov. 8, 2022. 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