Ritchie Torres Discusses Upbringing, Democratic Party, Israel in Latest Great Conversations Event
Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) spoke about his upbringing, the Democratic Party and Jewish pride in the latest installment of Great Conversations with Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman on Oct. 20.
Torres, a Democrat, is the representative for New York’s 15th congressional district. The conversation occurred in the recently renovated Weissberg Commons. There were over 200 attendees, including students from both the Wilf and Beren campuses.
Great Conversations, a series of talks between President Berman and influential guests, launched in Sept. 2025 when YU invited psychologist Jonathan Haidt and has since hosted former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, commentator Douglas Murray, Argentine President Javier Milei and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.
In the first Great Conversation of the 2025-2026 school year, Torres discussed his rise into office and concern for the future of America and the traditional Democratic Party. He also urged YU students to continue their advocacy and to keep on fighting antisemitism.
To open the conversation, President Berman asked Torres about his upbringing, his entrance into politics and his journey. Torres told President Berman he grew up in the Bronx projects with a single mother.
The conversation then transitioned to highlighting Torres’ unwavering support of Israel, the Jewish people and Zionism.
“Just like I’m an improbable member of Congress, I am an improbable Zionist,” he said. Coming from the Bronx, Torres did not have many friends who were Jewish and only got exposed to the Jewish community through his campaigning efforts and a trip to Israel led by the Jewish Community Relations Council. Torres then began to urge the public to see Israel for its beauty, develop a more nuanced opinion regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and not to fall for propaganda on social media.
On the future of his party, Torres explained, “Within the Democratic Party, there is a civil war between traditional Democrats like myself and the Democratic Socialists.”
He said the Democratic Socialists of America are attempting to seize control over the Democratic Party and are disguising themselves as authentic Democrats. He continued to reiterate that this is a very prevalent issue regardless of Israel and Palestine, and went on to refute claims of the IDF committing genocide.
Lastly, Torres gave words of inspiration and courage to the students in attendance. He encouraged them to continue to proudly display their Judaism while standing up to antisemitism all over the city. He gave the students high praise for their strong faith and steadfast support of the State of Israel saying, “I think of the students of Yeshiva University as the Maccabees of the modern world, and the Maccabees chose to fight.”
He left the YU students with a piece of advice in his parting words, alluding to the survivors of the October 7 terror attacks. “My advice is just never give up, never give in, keep dancing, keep singing and relentlessly rejoice in this gift called Judaism,” he said.
Yitzchak Rosenfeld (SSSB ‘29) offered his thoughts on the conversation.
“I’m so glad I got to hear President Berman sit down with Congressman Ritchie Torres to talk about these problems in our society,” Rosenfeld reflected. “Torres is a great friend of Israel and the Jewish People and a very vocal one, at that. Seeing him speak so firmly on these issues really stayed with me. Witnessing a congressman express such pride in his Zionism was special to hear.”
Photo Caption: Rep. Ritchie Torres
Photo Credit: House Creative Committee / Wikimedia Commons
