Rabbis in The Bronx are rallying around pro-Israel Rep. Ritchie Torres, by accusing his newly-announced Democratic primary opponent Michael Blake of stoking “antisemitism” in his campaign kickoff video.
Blake’s video featured a clip of Guy Christensen — the baby-faced anti-Israel activist who urged support for the gunman charged with killing two Israel Embassy staffers in DC — claiming that Torres was “exposed for secretly investing in genocide.”
“This launch video is not only opportunistic, it is also deeply offensive,” the dozen rabbis representing Jewish institutions in Riverdale said in a statement obtained by The Post.
Blake’s campaign video showed a clip of Guy Christensen, an anti-Israel activist who supported the gunman charged with killing two Israel Embassy staffers in DC. Christopher Sadowski
Christensen, the Keffiyeh wearing Israel basher from Pennsylvania who uses the social media handle “YourFavoriteGuy,” in May urged his nearly 1 million online followers to “support’’ accused killer Elias Rodriguez, 31, in a rant so vile that TikTok yanked it.
“Kicking off his campaign by highlighting someone who endorses such violence harms and violates the progressive values he professes to run on,” said the statement about Blake signed by Rabbi Binyamin Krauss, principal of SAR Academy, among others.
“Mr. Blake’s campaign should be run on the strength of his ideas, his record and his vision for the Bronx,” the missive states. “What we have seen instead is a reckless and dangerous attempt to inflame prejudice and antisemitism for political gain. Such behavior demeans the office he seeks and disrespects the community he hopes to serve.”
Blake’s video also attacks Torres by saying that he cares more about Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu than The Bronx. Michael Blake
In the video, Blake claims that Torres cares more about the American Israel Public Affairs Committee than his district.
But Blake, a former Bronx assemblyman, last week scrubbed his Instagram account of entries boasting of attending AIPAC conferences.
Torres earlier had urged the Capitol Police to investigate alleged threats Christensen made against him, using the phrase “if you’re still alive.”
Blake also claims that Torres cares more about the American Israel Public Affairs Committee than his district. Michael Blake
Krauss told The Post that Blake’s campaign is off to a divisive start by trying to run against the Jews, and said Jewish leaders in the district will be pulling for Torres’ re-election to a fourth term.
“We have a great leader with Ritchie Torres. He does a lot for The Bronx. We’re grateful,” said Krauss.
Blake, in a statement, apologized for including Christensen in his campaign video.
Rabbi Binyamin Krauss told The Post that Jewish leaders will be supporting Torres’ re-election. CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
“I unequivocally denounce the murder and celebration of the two young Israeli embassy staffers, as stated in my May 22nd, 2025 post on X, and I apologize for any pain our campaign video caused any member of the Jewish community by including someone who condoned this horrific event,” Blake said.
“Just as I would for anyone targeted for the color of their skin, faith, or identity, I stand firmly against all acts of hate and violence. I am focused on the Cost of Living and Affordability crisis impacting all of the district, where Ritchie Torres’ actions have failed, along with continuing to address Antisemitism, Anti-Muslim hate, Housing and Immigration,” he added.
Meanwhile, another candidate is jumping into the race to challenge Torres — public defender, community board member and Democratic Socialists of America organizer Dalourny Nemorin.
Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani’s victory for mayor is triggering a wave of leftist candidates to run for office, many challenging mainstream incumbent Democrats like Torres.
The 15th Congressional District, which stretches from the north to the south Bronx and includes the neighborhoods of Allerton, Bathgate, Baychester, Belmont, Claremont, Fordham, Melrose, Morrisania, Morris Park, Mott Haven, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Tremont, Olinville, Norwood, Highbridge, Van Nest, West Farms, Williamsbridge and Woodlawn.