When Abington’s Josh Shapiro took the oath as Pennsylvania’s 48th governor, he did it with a Bible from the Tree of Life synagogue, writes Aaron Troodler for the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent.
This was a powerful symbol of both his Jewish faith and his commitment to public service.
For Shapiro, faith isn’t just personal; it’s foundational. Raised in an observant Jewish home with Shabbat dinners, attending Forman Hebrew Day School in Elkins Park, and synagogue on Saturdays, those early lessons in community and service still guide him today. “It was not really planned early on,” he said of life in public office.
That calling became clear in college, after a rough day that saw him flunk out of pre-med, get cut from the basketball team, and get recruited for student government — which changed everything.
Now, as governor, Shapiro is known for bringing energy, empathy, and a focus on results. He champions issues like education, public safety, economic opportunity, and civil rights, and has earned a reputation for bipartisanship in a politically divided state.
While his name occasionally pops up in conversations about national politics, Shapiro’s focus remains on Pennsylvania. “I don’t know how long I’ll do this,” he said. “But it’s not forever, and so I feel like you want to make every moment count, and you want to deliver the most you can for people every day.”
Read more about how a life of faith called Josh Shapiro to public service in Philadelphia Jewish Exponent.
