Raised by a single mother, Congressman Ritchie Torres overcame poverty, personal trauma, and systemic barriers to forge a path of advocacy and leadership.

Torres shares his inspiring journey, which began in public housing in the Bronx. His civic interest guided him into politics, and he now serves in the U.S. Congress as one of the first openly gay congressmen of color. He reflects on his dedication to housing reform, his progressive yet independent voice in American politics, and the transformative impact of a visit to Israel.

Drawing inspiration from civil rights leaders who fought for the rights of Black Americans, Torres draws powerful parallels between the historical struggles of Black Americans and the Jewish people. His bold advocacy for Israel and his fight against rising antisemitism have come at great personal and professional cost. Yet, he continues to champion Israel and the Jewish community with unwavering conviction, believing that silence is never an option in the face of hate.

Listen in on this live conversation with Gil and Congressman Torres as they thoughtfully discuss one of the most controversial topics in American politics.

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storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit whose mission is to empower leaders to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel’s unique culture, diversity, richness and complex reality. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer and Editor is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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