Thousands of teenagers from more than a dozen countries, many standing on their chairs in a cavernous convention hall, screamed and cheered as Josh Shapiro took the stage.
Pennsylvania’s Democratic governor may still be unknown to many Americans outside his home state, but at BBYO, the world’s largest conference of young Jewish leaders, Shapiro was a rock star.
“We’re facing some challenges out there,” he said. He did not mention the arson attack his family escaped in the middle of the night last year, or the antisemitism he says he faces regularly.
“And this is a moment,” he continued as the crowd waved Israeli flags, “where I lean on my faith. I am proud of my faith.”
Shapiro may be the nation’s most prominent Jewish politician at a time when antisemitism is rising across the United States. He has made his religion central to his political identity, describing it as living his faith “out loud.” As he moves toward what is expected to be a dominant reelection this fall, a victory that could position him for a presidential campaign, the 52-year-old governor is navigating tensions as both a Jewish progressive and a Zionist.
More than any other issue, his handling of the political and personal risks tied to his faith may shape how far he rises in a changing Democratic Party.
He is already considered a top White House prospect, backed by a broad coalition in one of the country’s most important swing states. At the same time, he has been sharply criticized by some progressive activists for his strong support of Israel.
Leaning on his faith
Shapiro has defended Israel’s right to defend itself after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack, while also voicing concern for Palestinian civilians and calling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “dangerous and destructive force.” At home, he criticized pro-Palestinian campus protests that he said were hostile toward Jewish students.
His stance drew backlash from critics who labeled him “Genocide Josh.” Tensions resurfaced with the release of his recent book, in which he recounted a senior aide to then–Vice President Kamala Harris asking during the vetting process whether he had ever been an agent of the Israeli government.
There has never been a Jewish president or vice president, and few leading Democrats speak as openly about their faith as Shapiro. He observes Shabbat with his family every Friday night, keeps kosher and sends his children to Jewish day school. On the campaign trail, he frequently references his spiritual values and quotes the Bible.
Allies acknowledge the risks but say his faith strengthens his connection with voters.
“He is intentionally choosing to go a different route, and it’s authentic to who he is and what he believes,” said the Rev. Marshall Mitchell, a Baptist pastor and close friend. “Great elected officials, great Americans, great thinkers never discount the influence and impact of faith.”
‘A very real problem’ with antisemitism
In an interview with The Associated Press, Shapiro described antisemitism as “a very real problem” in both major parties.
“Anyone who’s trying to lead this country, lead a state or a community has a responsibility to call it out, no matter which side of the aisle it’s on,” he said.
He said he and his family regularly face antisemitic incidents, pointing to the February arrest of a man near Harrisburg who was charged with making terroristic threats and stalking.
Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League and an ally of Shapiro, said antisemitic hate crimes and harassment are at their highest levels since the organization began tracking such data more than 50 years ago.
Greenblatt criticized extremists in both parties and praised President Donald Trump for opposing anti-Israel protests on college campuses, though he described the president’s approach as “heavy handed.”
“I think we need to recognize that on the far left, in progressive circles, being anti-Zionist has become very permissible,” Greenblatt said.
Zionism is the belief that the Jewish people have a right to establish a Jewish nation-state in their ancestral homeland in the Middle East.
Divisions over war in Gaza
Hamas’ October 7 terror attack and Israel’s subsequent war in Gaza deepened political divisions in the United States as Shapiro’s profile was rising.
As protests spread, Shapiro said universities should not tolerate antisemitic intimidation any more than they would allow white supremacy, a comparison that angered some on the left.
“Gov. Shapiro has a damning history regarding U.S. policy toward Israel, including his failure to call for an end to U.S. complicity in the Israeli genocide in Gaza,” said Beth Miller, political director of Jewish Voice for Peace Action. She said his leadership is “sharply out of line with his constituency, including American Jews.”
Polling reflects complex views. A September Washington Post survey found that about six in 10 American Jews said Israel has committed war crimes in Gaza, and about four in 10 described Israel’s actions as genocide. About three-quarters said Israel’s existence is vital to the long-term future of the Jewish people.
In his book “Where We Keep the Light,” released last month, Shapiro described being asked during Harris’ vice presidential vetting whether he had ever been an agent of the Israeli government.
“Had I been a double agent for Israel? Was she kidding? I told her how offensive the question was,” he wrote, adding that the episode “said a lot about some of the people around the VP.”
In his interview with AP, Shapiro declined to elaborate on what the question reflected about Harris’ team and did not label it antisemitic.
He said Americans should be able to agree that antisemitism is wrong while still having “honest disagreements” about U.S. foreign policy.
“When I analyze Middle East policy, I’m focused on what is in the best interest of the United States,” he said. “In my opinion, that’s having a safe and secure Israel side by side with a safe and secure Palestinian state, where Palestinian leadership recognizes Israel’s right to exist and where children on both sides of the border have an opportunity for promise and prosperity.”
An attack while they slept
Shapiro, his children and extended family were sleeping inside the governor’s mansion after celebrating Passover on April 13, 2025, when a man broke in and threw Molotov cocktails into the residence.
Cody Allen Balmer, 38, later called 911 and denounced what he said Shapiro “wants to do to the Palestinian people.” Authorities said he told police he would have beaten the governor with a hammer if he had found him.
Balmer pleaded guilty to attempted murder, terrorism and 22 counts of arson, among other charges.
Shapiro said the attack continues to weigh on him.
“I’m one of the fortunate ones in that I wasn’t killed the way Melissa Hortman was or Charlie Kirk was. I wasn’t injured the way Gabby Giffords or Steve Scalise were,” he said. “But we also walk around with the emotional scars of it.”
He said he struggles with the idea that “this work that I love” brought his family close to death.
“That’s a hard thing to work through as a dad,” he said. “I’m still working through it.”
The Rev. Jerome Fordham, who leads the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Action Network, said Shapiro’s experience has deepened his connection with others.
“He’s doing a fantastic job despite the fact that they tried to kill him and his family,” Fordham said. “As a Jew, he can connect with everybody. He understands struggle.”
Shapiro said he would not retreat from his faith.
“I refuse to live in fear. I refuse to back down,” he said. “Even though the threats are increasing, the light I see and the joy I find in others is also increasing. That allows me to ignore the hate and focus on the goodness in people.”