By Yaacov Behrman – Jewish Future Alliance
Crown Heights will head to the polls on Tuesday, September 9th, to elect the Democratic Candidate for State Senate. We have been without a State Senator since Eric Adams was elected Borough President.
Although the general election will take place be on November 4th, this election will actually determine the next State Senator. The Republicans have virtually no chance of winning in the general election.
Our choices are between Rubain Dorancy and Jesse Hamilton.
The State Senate has limited power and both Rubain and Jesse will likely toe the Democratic Party line in Albany. Whoever promises you major changes is lying or is naive and doesn’t know how the State Senate operates. Still, it is important that Crown Heights has a State Senator who is both competent and a friend.
Jesse is a friend who has lived in Crown Heights for some twenty years. As district leader, Jesse went well beyond his job requirements and was active in helping the Jewish community in our time of need. He knows the intricacies of the community and has always shown us friendship. When the knockout attacks happened last summer, Jesse was the first African American leader to condemn the violence in the neighborhood.
I’ve seen Jesse at Friendship Circle events, Lag Ba’omer parades, Simchas Beis Hashuava, Bar Mitzvah’s, weddings and,sadly, at funerals and Shiva calls. I doubt Rubain Dorancy even knows what any of these events are.
Additionally, Jesse worked for the former Senator and knows how the office operates. Rubain had very little to do with the Jewish community or the State Senate and, although Rubain claims to live in the district, his opponents question whether that is in fact the case.
A few month back, it seemed that a modern miracle was about to occur in Crown Heights. The entire Jewish community seemed to be supporting the same candidate. Jesse was someone who know both the community and the job, an obvious choice. He also was projected to win. Many in the Jewish community assured him their support.
Eric Adams and Bill Thompson endorsed Jesse while Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and her mother, former Councilwoman Una Clarke, threw their support behind Rubain. Those in the political arena know that over the last few years there is a political battle in Brooklyn between Adams and the Clarkes. The State Senate had just become the latest playing field.
Jesse still believed the community would support him due to his credentials and long term friendship.
I started to hear from Crown Heights’ activists that they are no longer supporting Jesse after Mayor Bill de Blasio released a statement endorsing Dorancy. “I am supporting Rubain Dorancy because he is the best progressive choice for State Senate,” wrote de Blasio. Apparently, the Mayor feels that Rubain fits better into his vision for New York.
These activists are likely worried that supporting Jesse may upset the Congresswoman and the Mayor, and that Rubain is more likely to win with de Blasio’s support. Some even went as far as to say that de Blasio may show gratitude if we support his candidate.
I wasn’t planning on writing an op-ed or giving an endorsement, but after an image of the Kinus Hashluchim in front of 770 appeared online with a misleading headline implying that the worldwide Jewish community is united for Rubain Dorancy, I could not remain silent and let injustice prevail.
The race is projected to be very close but it’s not about who wins or loses. The political leadership is attempting to use the community as puppets for their personal political pursuits. This is infuriating. It is my opinion that voting for Jesse will send an important message to the political leadership in New York – “We Stand By Our Friends.” I can assure you that everyone respects loyalty.
On the other hand, if you vote for Rubain you’re essentially saying that a phone call or a pat on the head from a Congresswoman or Mayor is more important than twenty years of friendship.
I am proud to join Rayi Stern, Mendy Margolin, Joseph Rapoport, Rabbi Moshe Feiglin and Mordechai Lightstone in support of Jesse Hamilton for State Senate.
Very cute. But your mistaken. Even if the candidate Yaakov endorses loses, he’ll still be respected by the winner as everyone will recognize his willingness to do the unpopular.
The one thing that has worth in politics is loyalty. I give you this and you vote for me.
If people see that you are loyal they give you things so you will be on their side. If they see that you only go with the winner, you become worthless to them and therefor give you nothing.
Yaacov, you are usually on the money (and almost had de Blasio wrapped up…) but in politics there isn’t any friendship (pirkei avos). Making the case to vote for a candidate, because ” it’s not about who wins or loses…. I can assure you that everyone respects loyalty” Its both naive and impractical. There was a wise man in our community Shmuel Aizek Popack, who would give ‘aiztes’, I once asked him, who to vote for, with out missing a beat he said “vote for the winner”. In politics there are only winners and losers – always vote for a… Read more »
It is no secret that the powerful US House of Representative Yvette Clarke is propping up Rubain Dorancy in this election. However Yvette Clark’s mother Una Clarke is affiliated with CAMBA who just built two buildings for the homeless and affordable housing (209 units) on Albany & Winthrop. And there is a third building for the homeless and affordable housing for 279 units going up on 560 Winthrop, which is right next door to the two buildings just completed. These three buildings are in addition to another homeless shelter 681 Clarkson, around the corner run by the Salvation Army. There… Read more »
Thank you Yaakov for taking a stand on this; you are making a kiddush hashem. Besides that, we know that you have been involved with politics for much longer than the three others led by AL who purport to know whats right for our community. BH you see the big picture and are not swayed by false and empty promises, especially those which we have seen in the last 12 hours. Bottom line, aside from loyalty to the one we have worked with for 25 years, Jesse has a great track record, having been involved since he was President of… Read more »
our community has to support politicians that our loyal to us. Nothing outperforms 10 years of solid-track-record.
Yaakov great post. You raise a great point about loyalty being respect by politicians more then supporting the winning side. Crown Heights doesn’t have 10 thousand votes what we can have is respect. Lets not also lose that.
Wake up people and GO VOTE!