The following is via the NY Times:
The Republican Party does not often mention New York City as the place it turns to for religious guidance. But this year, New Yorkers will give both the opening and the closing prayers at the Republican National Convention, in a quirk of timing that nevertheless highlights the increased importance the party is placing on appealing to Jewish and Catholic voters.
Rabbi Meir Y. Soloveichik, 35, will deliver the opening prayer on Tuesday, taking the stage in Tampa, Fla., right after the national anthem. A grandson and grand nephew of renowned Orthodox rabbis, he directs the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought at Yeshiva University in Manhattan, whose mission is “bridging the intellectual heritage of Judaism with the great ideas that have shaped the world,” he said in an interview on Monday.
“To me, this is really an extraordinary honor and a privilege, both as an American and a Jew, to be invited to give a prayer at what is really a cherished ritual of American democracy,” he said.
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
2 Responses
In all fairness, most Jews were Republicans until 70 years ago. The Republicans, throughout their history, have been much more inclined to accept people regardless of ethnicty, whereas the Democrats have always been playing “identity politics.” Of course, many Orthodox Jews are into “identity politics”, especially if it comes with patronage.
I guess the Brisker vote will go Republican?? LOL