Eliot Engel, 79, Bronx champion of Israel who lost final race to hater

Eliot Engel, the former Democratic congressman who represented Riverdale and other parts of the northern Bronx during his long political career, died April 10 at 79 years old.
Engel was regarded for his staunch support of Israel, and for pushing liberal legislation that spanned affordable healthcare, gun control, international human rights, and reducing US dependency on imported oil. He lost his seat in 2022 to Jamaal Bowman, a Democratic Socialist and opponent of the Jewish State who allied with pro-Hamas protesters following the terror group’s invasion of Southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Engel’s family announced his death in a statement, saying Engel died “surrounded by family and loved ones in the borough that raised him: The Bronx.”
“During his over 44 years in public service, Eliot Engel fought tirelessly for his constituents at home and for peace and security around the world,” the statement reads. “We love and miss him dearly.”
According to reporting by the Associated Press, Engel died of complications from Parkinson’s disease.
Engel was born Feb. 18, 1947, in the Bronx, a grandson of Jewish immigrants from Ukraine. He held a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in school counseling from Lehman College and a law degree from New York Law School.
His political career began after working as a guidance counselor in New York’s public schools for several years. He entered Congress in 1989 after serving in the state assembly from 1977 to 1988.
Engel defeated 10-term incumbent Mario Biaggi for the House seat. While Biaggi resigned shortly before the Democratic primary after he was convicted on corruption charges, when Engel entered the race Biaggi was still a force in Bronx politics. Former editor of the Riverdale Press, Bernard “Buddy Stein, said that challenging Biaggi at the time took guts.
The congressman had earned a reputation for securing an aisle seat annually at State of the Union addresses so he could appear on television shaking the president’s hand. But in 2017, Engel said he would not shake Trump’s hand as he believed the new president had no interest in working with Democrats.
Assembly member Jeffrey Dinowitz said he met Engel at 17 years old while campaigning for George McGovern. The two remained close throughout their lives as family friends, Dinowitz said, and described Engel’s death as like losing a brother.
“He had a heart of gold,” Dinowitz said. “He was very caring.”
As a born Bronxite raised in public housing, Dinowitz said Engel never forgot that he came from a modest background and was loyal to his borough and the needs of the community.
Rep. Ritchie Torres, who now represents parts of Engel’s congressional district, said “Engel was a giant of New York politics and one of the greatest champions the Bronx has ever had in Congress. He served for more than three decades with unyielding dedication, fighting for his constituents and standing up for democracy around the world.”
In conceding to Bowman in July 2020, Engel said that serving the people of the Bronx and Westchester had been the greatest privilege of his life.
«I take particular pride in always showing up, always being present, always listening, and always caring deeply about those whom it’s been an honor to serve as their congressman,» Engel said.

The Jewish Star contributed to this report.