Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro quoted from a Jewish text and hailed the importance of his faith as he appeared at a rally to endorse Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, who was picked over him as her running mate.

The Jewish politician told a rapturous Philadelphia audience that he would fight to elect the pair to lead America.

“I lean on my family and I lean on my faith which calls me to serve,” he said. “And I am proud of my faith!”

Referencing Pirkei Avot, a compilation of teachings from rabbinic tradition, he said: “Now, hear me, I’m not here to preach, but I want to tell you what my faith teaches me.

“What does it say? My faith teaches me that no one, no one is required to complete the task, but neither are we free to refrain from it.

"That means that each of us has a responsibility to get off the sidelines, to get in the game and to do our part.”

The rally came after a period in which Shapiro’s Jewish identity became central to discussions of his political future.

After Walz was chosen, lawyer Alan Dershowitz asked on X: “Did Harris reject Shapiro just because progressives don’t like that he was Jewish?”

J.D. Vance, Donald Trump’s running mate, claimed that Shapiro was forced to “run from his Jewish heritage because of what the Democrats are saying about him.”

He continued: “I think that’s scandalous and disgraceful. Whatever you believe, whatever disagreements on policy you have about somebody, the fact that that race, the vice presidential race, on the Democratic side, became so focused on his ethnicity, I think, is absolutely disgraceful, and it’s insulting to Americans, whatever background you’re from.”

Speaking to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, however, a Harris aide slapped down the suggestion.

“Assertions that Vice President Harris did not select Gov. Shapiro based on his religion or views on Israel are absolutely ridiculous and offensive,” they said.

“Vice President Harris has an unwavering commitment to Israel’s security, as she reaffirmed last night following the meeting in the Situation Room.

“She will always combat antisemitism whenever and wherever she sees it.”

Some left-wing activists had dubbed Shapiro “genocide Josh” over his support for Israel and the fact that he had volunteered with the IDF as a teenager.

Had he been selected, Shapiro would have been the first Jewish candidate for vice president since Joe Lieberman’s unsuccessful run with Democratic nominee Al Gore in 2000.

The governor is an observant Conservative (Masorti) Jew, who keeps kosher but is not believed to be shomer Shabbat.

According to JTA, he and his mother were active in the movement to free Soviet Jewry.

In December 2023, he said: "Israel not only has a right, they have a responsibility to rid the region of Hamas and the terror that Hamas can perpetrate."

Speaking in Philadelphia, Shapiro emphasised that he was ready to fight to elect Kamala Harris as president.

"Every day I focus on three letters: G, S, D. I focus on getting s**t done for all of you,” he told the crowd.

"I want you to know I am going to continue to pour my heart and soul into serving you every heart and day as your governor. 

"I’m going to be working my tail off to make sure we make Kamala Harris and Tim Walz the next leaders of the United States of America."

Harris is “courtroom tough” with a big heart and, “battle tested and ready to go,” Shapiro claimed.

Whether she is in a courtroom, fighting as attorney general, or while serving as the vice-president, she had always remembered to support “the people,” he said.

"She has served with honesty, she has served with dignity. Every step of the way she has broken barriers to serve all of us.”

Taking the stage later, Harris repayed the favour by complimenting the Pennsylvania governor in return.

“Josh is a dear, dear friend and an extraordinary leader,” she said.

“I am so invested in our friendship and doing this together because together with Josh Shapiro we will win Pennsylvania, we will win Pennsylvania, and I thank you Josh, I thank you.”