WATCH: NY State Assemblyman Aron Wieder puts tefillin on Republican colleague Scott Bendett

A shared moment of bipartisanship and Judaism. (Photo: Aron Wieder Office)

Newly elected Assemblyman Aron Wieder (97th District) was officially sworn into office today (Wednesday), on the opening day of the New York State Assembly, marking the beginning of his term as a representative for Rockland County. Following the swearing-in.

Wieder then embraced the opportunity to connect with fellow lawmakers on the Assembly floor, fostering relationships across party lines. During his first walk around the chamber, Wieder struck up a conversation with Republican Assemblyman Scott Bendett (107th District), who introduced himself with a touch of humor as a "Jewbilly," describing himself as a Jewish hillbilly living in the countryside, as he has represented most of Rensselaer County and portions of Washington and Columbia as a conservative Republican since 2023.

The friendly exchange quickly evolved into a deeper discussion about Jewish traditions. Wieder inquired if Bendett was familiar with the practice of putting on tefillin, a Jewish ritual. Bendett, acknowledging his familiarity with the tradition expressed his willingness to do so in his lobby office.

Assemblyman Wieder then brought a pair of tefillin to Bendett’s office, and the two assemblymen performed the mitzvah, with Bendett reciting the blessing and saying the Shema prayer alongside Wieder. The moment was a poignant display of shared heritage and unity, captured in photos and videos.

Watch:

A shared moment of bipartisanship and Judaism. (Source: Aron Wieder office)

Assemblyman Bendett shared a fascinating personal story during the encounter, revealing that he had participated in a similar tefillin ceremony years earlier with a colleague he had figured out was Jewish through a conversation, adding a meaningful layer of connection to the experience.

Bendett has supported a number of important initiatives such as expanded vocational training and expanded tax credits to help retain and maintain more emergency medical volunteers, while Wieder is known for his efforts to ensure funding for community projects and secure property tax relief for constituents.

For Assemblyman Wieder, the day’s events were emblematic of the values he says that he hopes to bring to Albany: fostering dialogue, building bridges, and sharing the richness of Jewish tradition.

“This is what public service is about,” Wieder said. “Finding common ground, celebrating shared values, and connecting with one another on a human level. Today was a wonderful start to my journey in the Assembly, and I look forward to building relationships and representing the people of my district.”