PHOTOS: Rich Roberts held a private dinner at his home last night for Florida’s 22nd District Republican Congressman Allen West. The dinner was attended by several local officials, including R’ Yisroel Schenkolevski, Committeeman Meir Lichtenstien, Committeeman Albert Akerman, Police Chief Rob Lawson and others.
Serving since January 2011, West is the first African-American Republican Congressman from Florida since Josiah T. Walls left office in 1876.
West served in the United States Army in Iraq and was a civilian adviser in Afghanistan. With 20 plus years of active duty service in the United States Army, he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, before retiring.
Photos by the Lakewood Shopper.
But why?
to #1: Congressman West is a huge “O’hev Yisroel” and publicly speaks on our behalf…
It doesn’t hurt to show him some “love”. We call it “Hakaras HaTov”
I was there and this congressman is a true friend of the jews! I think we should start a campaign West “For Presiden”!!
I’m a little lost on the hakoras hatoiv kesher between a rookie FL Congressman, granted a oihev yisroel, and Rich Roberts along with the Lakewood community.
Congressman West has been an open advocate for Israel and has sound moral beliefs.
He constantly gets harrassed in Washington for voicing his opinion on certain matters, yet he continues to stick up for what’s right.
I am proud of Dr. Roberts for arranging the event and I am very pleased that people came out to sho the Congressman a little “love”.
Sorry Rich I couldn’t make it. I had to be in the Supreme court this morning to help strike down The Obamacare fiasco. I’m sure my good friend Allen gave you the necessary paper work I sent along with him. Please forward it to our good friend L.L.
Hatzlacha J.H.
well, for 1 thing congressman west has fought in the middle east against radical islamic ideology, have you? he is one of the few politicians who know what we have to loose if israel is attacked. do you think that obama is a supporter of isreal?
It’s not so much hakoras hatov. It’s more that we are ahowing support for a great conservative. Our country needs great conservatives now to stand up to the liberals who destroying our great country.
Hmmmm……… I always thought Republicans were racists. I guess the liberal media won’t be able to call the Tea Party racists anymore.
On second thought, forget it. They will still call us racists, even when we elect Herman Cain as President.
A. West has been serving the community for many years.
To #4: you hit it on the head he is a “rookie FL congressman” and speaks out publicly for the Jews… which as you know doesn’t help (to say the least) with most of the non-Jewish public. That is what the “hakoras hatoiv” is for.
So yes, he is sort of putting his future political aspirations on the line by speaking out for Us
And when you, Alte Lakewooder, post a comment, I am forever lost at what your point is.
To (Reb?) Rambo: My point is usually the voice of reason when I feel I have something to contribute to a discussion. I don’t believe that this forum is for bashing others or for venting. It’s a forum to share ideas and opinions and provide useful insight on meaningful matters to the klal.
The story above seemed to be lacking a punchline. Why did Dr. Roberts hold the dinner and how does this connect and relate to the Lakewood community? Most people were kind enough to share their useful thoughts and opinions, while a minority never seems to understand the concept of “Syog Lacochma Shtika” when there is no benefit to be derived from a comment that is solely placed to be hurtful or deriding to others.
Congressman West is a good person. not many in congress who are.
batsheva is very proud to see her dad on the lakewood scoop! yay!