By COLlive reporter
The traditional Sukkos gathering for New York State and City leadership took place in the Sukkah of veteran Crown Heights community activist Rabbi Chanina Sperlin and his wife on the night of Chol Hamoed Sukkos.
The top three State-wide leaders were all present: Governor Kathy Hochul, as well as Attorney General Letitia James and State Comptroller Tom Dinapoli.
Rabbi Sperlin spoke of the friendship that the Governor showed to Crown Heights both as Lieutenant Governor and since assuming the position of Governor.
Crown Heights Jewish Community Council (CHJCC) Director Rabbi Eli Cohen introduced the Governor, with a message that the Rebbe derives from Hakhel about the importance of each individual being a King in their own lives and about the importance of the symbols of authority – such as law enforcement – in society at large.
The Governor spoke of her appreciation of the values and teachings of the Jewish Community of New York and her commitment to supporting the community and its institutions.
Attorney General James expressed concern about the recent assault on Yeshiva education and stated that her own experience with Yeshivos had been very different. The Governor was accompanied by Yoel Lefkowitz and staffers Jake Adler and Eva Wyner.
Mayor Eric Adams was also introduced by Rabbi Sperlin who spoke of the decades-long relationship between the Mayor and Crown Heights. The Mayor recalled how the turning point in his campaign for City Hall was when he received the endorsement from Crown Heights and then other Orthodox communities followed suit. The Mayor was joined by Chief Advisor Ingrid Lewis-Martin and Senior Advisor Yoel Eisdorfer, as well as Assistant Commissioner Pinny Ringel.
Israel’s Consul General in New York Assaf Zamir addressed the gathering. He spoke about the meaning of the Sukkah being symbolic of the protection that Hashem gives his people now as in the desert leaving Egypt thousands of years ago. He was joined by his wife Maya Wertheimer and by Deputy Consul Israel Nitzan.
CHJCC Board Chairman Zaki Tamir and Board Member Yossi Hackner spoke with the elected officials about the needs of the community, with regard to housing and other issues.
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke spoke warmly of her connections to the Crown Heights Jewish Community. She was accompanied by staff member Eli Slavin.
Representing New York City Police Department was Chief of Patrol Jeffrey B. Maddrey, who was joined by Chief Michael Kemper, Inspector Richie Taylor, Inspector Joseph Hayward, Sergeant Mike Baratta, and Officer Mohamed Amen.
Other local leaders who spoke at the gathering were State Senator Zellnor Myrie, Assembly Member Daniel Rosenthal, City Council Members Crystal Hudson, Rita Joseph and Chi Osse, who all represent parts of Crown Heights and Council Member Kalman Yeger from Boro Park. Assemblyman Brian Cunningham was represented by Raul Rothblatt. Pesach Ossina represented NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams.
Kings County District Attorney Eric Gonzales was also present and was joined by staffers David Klestzik and Alexander Gurevich.
There were also numerous leaders from various communities around New York, including Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty CEO David Greenfeld, Agudath Israel’s Director of New York Government Relations Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, R’ Moshe Indik of Williamsburg, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik of the New York Board of Rabbis, Ari Weiss, Ezra Friedlander, Mark Appel and Pinny Hikind from the NY Comptrollers office.
Taking people at face value, look at what Governer Hochul and Attorney General James have done during their tenure in office. Not necessary to repeat here all the horrible events that have occurred under their watch, but based on what they’ve delivered thus far, why would anyone in their right mind want to put that team in power again?? To have more of the same?? Look around at what you have now! Conversely, Mr Zeldin is promising to remedy the current situation, explicitly guaranteeing, amongst others, to preserve authentic Yeshiva education. This is a no-brainer to me! People can continue… Read more »
She is the only one who can stop this no bail nonsense, hello anybody home?
Nice that the mayor and govenor are spending their time Succa Hopping. They were also spotted at some other prestigious locations that evening in the shchuna. Kol Hacovod to them.
Get out there and vote these people out of office. Please. Register. Vote.
This is a really close election. Please help us take our state back.
Not voting is voting for more of this unconstitutional control, and absolute neglect of true crime.
Please get out there and vote
VOTE FOR TRUMP 2022/2024
MAGA AGAIN
End Attorney General Letitia James witch-hunt against the Trumps once and for all by voting in November 2022 & 2024!!
So beautiful to see. Amazing kiddush Hashem
We are very lucky to have such dedicated askanim working on our behalf day and night
It’s very nice to see them caring (pandering to) about religious Jews, especially for all the amazing things they did for our community (taking away our choice about our chinuch, 150% increase in anti-Semitic incidents), they have kept it streets clean (not) and they have benefitted our community in so many ways that I can’t remember any of them.
Your vote matters and you need to think if the tiny tax cut they say they will give our mosdois are worth the repercussions of voting with the Dems again.