Media coverage of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue has included feature articles and highlights in the many local, national and international news outlets. Below is some select coverage that highlight the synagogue.
Press inquiries may be directed to Communications Director Ryan Greiss at rgreiss@swfs.org or (212) 877-4050, ext. 267.
Haaretz: ‘Unbelievably Challenging’: Gaza War Sparks Polarization Among US Reform Jews
Apr 26, 2024
In the immediate aftermath of October 7, Jewish Americans overwhelmingly rallied behind Israel. But as the war in Gaza progressed, they have found themselves increasingly conflicted and divided. The Reform movement has experienced these tensions most viscerally – and for obvious reasons. Rabbi Ammi Hirsch has, in recent years, emerged as a prominent voice of dissent within Reform Judaism, accusing it of burning bridges rather than strengthening ties with Israel. Although many of his congregants may not share his views, he says, that hasn’t stopped him from speaking his truth.
FOX 5 NY: NYC Rabbi and Imam tackle hate speech, stress compassion and hope in troubled times
Apr 22, 2024
This Passover, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch’s mind and heart are occupied by the war in the Middle East and the hostages who are still being held captive by Hamas. “There’s a heavy cloud over the entire Jewish world as we sit down to celebrate this festival of freedom. We’re very concerned about Israel’s security,” he told FOX 5 NY.
South Florida Sun Sentinel: This Passover, let’s fix our interfaith relationships
Apr 22, 2024
Rabbi Samantha Kahn — a member of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue’s inaugural cohort of Amplify Israel rabbinic fellows —writes about the Jewish perspective in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack and the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Rabbi Kahn has felt abandoned by many of her non-Jewish friends and colleagues and wants to use Passover as an opportunity to clear the air and restart interfaith dialogue.
Israel Hayom: Biden’s ‘starvation politics’ help with his base; Israel is perplexed
Apr 20, 2024
It’s not just Israelis that are bothered by the voices coming from the Democratic administration, but also leaders of the American Jewish community. The loudest and boldest public voice was raised recently by Reform Rabbi Ammi Hirsch at the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue. In an unprecedented warning speech that directly addressed senior Democratic officials, Hirsch said: “Allow me to express a nonpartisan word to all of our friends in elected office from the Democratic Party… do not take American Jews for granted.”
J-Wire: Israel needs to loved and feared
Apr 19, 2024
On the Zionist liberal left, one United States Jewish leader, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, a prominent American Reform Rabbi who has a lifelong reputation for being an outstanding Israel advocate, beautifully expressed his own community’s relationship with Israel, as he works hard to bring his congregants and others, along with him. Rabbi Hirsch said: “Our synagogue and American Jewry support Israel unconditionally, not uncritically, there never was such a Jew who was an uncritical Jew. But we support Israel unconditionally
Makor Rishon (Hebrew): An American Reform rabbi in a message to Bide: ‘Don’t take America’s Jews for granted’
Apr 16, 2024
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, one of the Reform movement’s prominent leaders, issues a warning to the Democratic Party. And famous evangelical Pastor John Hagee calls on the administration to encourage escalation.
Fox News: Left-wing rabbi warns Biden, Democrats not to count on Jewish votes from the pulpit
Apr 16, 2024
Sending a warning to Democrats, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch spoke about the 2024 elections and how liberal Jewish voters are planning to cast their ballots.
NY1: Jewish rabbis in city sound alarm over Iran
Apr 15, 2024
“Iran is the chief fomenter of terrorism and radicalism in the Middle East. It has developed proxies from seven different fronts surrounding Israel,” said our Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch in an interview with NY1’s Nia Clark.
JNS: Reform rabbi to Democrat politicians: ‘Do not take American Jews for granted’
Apr 15, 2024
Ammi Hirsch, senior rabbi at New York City’s Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, shared a video, posted on Sunday, during a service noting some fraught conversations with Jewish Democrats of late. “Neither I nor our synagogue engage in partisan politics. So allow me to express a nonpartisan word to all of our friends in elected office from the Democratic Party,” he said. “From one who is finely attuned to American Jewish sentiment, do not take American Jews for granted.”
The Jerusalem Post: Prominent Reform rabbi to Democrats: Don’t take American Jews for granted
Apr 15, 2024
The Democratic Party should not take the vote of American Jews for granted in the upcoming U.S. elections, prominent American Reform Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch cautioned in a Friday sermon at the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York. “Allow me to express a non-partisan word to all our friends in elected office from the Democratic party from one who is finely attuned to the American Jewish sentiment: Do not take American Jews for granted,” said Hirsch. “Be careful: The results of the upcoming election do not only depend on Michigan.”