Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Rabbi Shmuley BoteachYoni Kempinski

Author and lecturer Rabbi Shmuley Boteach spoke to Arutz Sheva at the third annual Champions of Jewish Values event in New York this week.

Boteach praised the conference for bringing together a variety of people to "confront our enemies head on" and "triumph" against the worldwide phenomenon of anti-Semitism.

Boteach noted that the conference has reached a level of prominence wherein the awards are universally recognized and considered significant.

"We're a values organization," he added. "We are anti-genocide, we are pro-freedom, we are pro-democracy, we are pro-women, we are pro-every human being being treated like God's child."

"We're disgusted by tyranny, we're disgusted by atrocities and crimes," he continued. "If it's Republicans who promote these values, we will honor Republicans. If it's Democrats [...] we will promote Democrats. For us, party affiliation is utterly meaningless."

"What is meaningful is people who want to make the world better and use Jewish values to do so."

Boteach also addressed his love for Israel, noting that his daughter proudly served in the IDF.

"The IDF is a force for righteousness, is a force for justice, is a force for human rights, is a force for freedom," he stated. "My heart beats with Israel."

He noted that while he "loves America," "if you're Jewish and you don't have a love for Israel, you have no heart."