JCRC-NY Honors Rep. Ritchie Torres with Second Annual Shamash Award

BRONX, NY (12/15/2025) (readMedia)-- On Sunday, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY) honored Congressman Ritchie Torres as the second annual recipient of the service-oriented Shamash Leadership Award. Named after the shamash - the tallest candle used to light the Hanukkah menorah - the new award recognizes trailblazers whose extraordinary advocacy illuminates the path forward for New York's Jewish community and all New Yorkers.

View photos from the event here.

Congressman Torres, who represents New York's 15th district in the Bronx, has been a steadfast ally of the Jewish community in New York through his time in office, demonstrating unwavering support as a non-Jewish progressive Democrat. His relationship with JCRC-NY began nearly a decade ago when he participated in his first Israel study tour as a New York City Council Member, which he described as "one of the most formative and transformative experiences" of his life. Since then, he has consistently stood with the Jewish community, co-sponsoring critical legislation like the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act, speaking out forcefully against rising antisemitism, and leading JCRC-NY delegations of Bronx leaders to Israel to build bridges between diverse communities. Representative Torres has been a regular participant at JCRC-NY's flagship Congressional Breakfast, proving himself to be what JCRC-NY CEO Mark Treyger calls "our steadfast ally" in the fight against hate and discrimination.

The event was co-hosted by JCRC-NY, UJA-Federation of New York, SAR Academy, the Riverdale Community Partnership, and Kasirer, and co-sponsored by members of the Riverdale Community Partnership.

"JCRC-NY was proud to honor Congressman Torres with our second annual Shamash Leadership Award," said Mark Treyger, CEO of JCRC-NY. "With antisemitism reaching unprecedented levels and too many communities under threat, Congressman Torres has consistently shown what principled, values-driven leadership looks like. He has not only stood by the Jewish community in moments of challenge, but has used his platform to educate and uplift Jewish New Yorkers and build bridges across diverse communities. Like the shamash itself, Congressman Torres leads by example, lighting the way for mutual respect for all New Yorkers."

"I'm honored to receive the Shamash Award from JCRC-NY. At a moment when antisemitism is rising and too many people are staying silent, JCRC-NY has consistently shown up for the Jewish community and for New York. I'm grateful for their partnership and proud to stand with them against hate in all its forms," said Congressman Ritchie Torres.

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About JCRC-NY: JCRC-NY, a proud UJA-Federation of NY agency, serves as the primary community relations agency for the Jewish community in the metropolitan New York area. As an active force in New York civic and communal life, JCRC-NY operates as a central coordinating and resource body with a mission to build relationships to advance the values, interests, and security of the Jewish community and to create a more interconnected New York for all.