Senator Weber Invites Chabad Rabbi to Deliver Invocation Before Senate Session in Expression of Solidarity With Chabad

By Rockland Daily Staff

As a member of the New York State Senate Antisemitism Working Group, as reported previously by Rockland Daily here, Senator Bill Weber was deeply disturbed when a video that surfaced on social media depicting several Chabad teenagers engaged in an unauthorized expansion of the renowned 770 Chabad synagogue was exploited by bad actors, including the New York Times.

Within a short time, the blood libel had triggered a significant online response and was trending on X and other platforms, feeding into widespread conspiracies.

In response, the senator chose to stand in solidarity with the Chabad Jewish community, a relatively minor segment of the Rockland County Jewish community he represents. As a gesture of support, Rabbi Shmuel Gancz, the leader of Chabad of Suffern, was invited to deliver an invocation before a Senate session on Wednesday, January 17.

"Every one of us, and certainly those of us who are fortunate to occupy positions of leadership and influence, must do everything we can to make this world a better place," said Rabbi Gancz during his address, which he began by giving tzadaka, "stand up for what is right even when it may not be proper. And when we do so, we elicit divine blessings.

Expressing his sentiments, Senator Weber remarked, "It was an honor to host Rabbi Gancz, whom I consider a friend. We can all play a role in combating the world's oldest hatred, and I was pleased to contribute in my own way last week."