Kasich Debates Scripture With Yeshiva Students In Borough Park [Video]

Ohio governor and GOP presidential contender John Kasich visited the Orthodox Jewish community of Borough Park Tuesday afternoon and got into a scriptural debate of sorts with a group of Yeshiva students.

Governor Kasich’s visit to Borough Park yesterday included a tour of Shema Kolainu (4302 New Utrecht Avenue), a school that serves children with autism and their families, and a pit stop at Eichlers Judaica store (5004 13th Avenue).

At his tour of Shema Kolainu, Kasich met with students and staff. School administrators said later that Kasich was interested in learning what some of the biggest challenges are that the school faces, and was not surprised when “funding” was at the top of the list.

Kasich can be seen visiting Shema Kolainu — and receiving a very warm welcome from students — in this YouTube video.

“We proudly welcomed Governor Kasich to Shema Kolainu and our students really enjoyed interacting with him,” said founder Dr. Joshua Weinstein in a statement. “Hopefully this visit commenced a conversation, regarding the role of government on a national scale, to address the epidemic rise of autism being diagnosed.”

Kasich also reportedly ventured into Eichler’s Judaica, and challenged some yeshiva students about the Passover story.

In this YouTube video, Kasich and the students engage in a humorous — but also quite serious — back and forth about the biblical Joseph and other Old Testament figures.

When leaving Shema Kolainu, Kasich could be heard saying to a group of well-wishers, “Pray for me.”