‘I Expect to be Attacked Since I’m the Only Jewish Candidate’

By Mica Soffer

New York City Councilman Chaim Deutsch announced that he is running for Congress to represent New York’s 9th Congressional District.

The district includes the neighborhoods of Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Midwood, Sheepshead Bay, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach and Prospect Lefferts Gardens.

He will be running in the Democratic primary against incumbent Yvette Clarke, and fellow hopefuls Adem Bunkeddeko, Lutchi Gayot, Alexander Hubbard and Isiah James on June 23, 2020. The general election will be on November 3, 2020.

COLlive.com sat with him for an interview about his plans:

Why are you running?
I’m running because of what we are seeing across the country and around the world with anti-Semitic incidents. We need to have proper representation in the US congress who will take the lead and make sure our city, our state and our country have common sense and a proactive and reactive approach to make sure the voices of the people are heard and responded to.

If elected, will you be the first kippah wearing frum member of Congress?
I will be the first Orthodox Jewish person in Congress. I will also be the first Kohen in congress, just as I was the first Kohen in the City Council.

Do you expect any challenges to be in that role as a frum Jew?
I expect there will be attacks on me being the only Jewish person running in this district – especially being an Orthodox Jew.

You don’t think all voters will focus on the issues?
There are those in this district that think that no one should run against the incumbent. But if the incumbent has been here since 2007 but many in our district have no knowledge who that person is, then it comes to a point where change needs to be made.

What can voters expect from you?
I sleep with my phone near me so I am always available to help. I’ve been a member in the City Council for 6 years, and prior to that, I worked there since 1996. I have not changed my cell phone number since I started in the city council. I will still be accessible, and I will still be able to respond to everyday needs. As a congress member, even more so, I will be able to respond and help people on a national level when it comes to state and federal issues and make sure people get the help they need.

You were born to Holocaust survivors. What do you feel about the rise in anti-Semitism?
I never really heard from my father about his experiences in the Holocaust. I know he survived 3 Nazi concentration camps. Only after he passed away, I learned about him in a sefer (book) that someone printed for a simcha about their father, and he wrote about how his father and my father were in the same bunkhouse. They gave away 7 portions of bread to a gypsy in return for a pair of Tefillin which they put on and let others use during the Holocaust. Every time I see a swastika or a crime against a Jew, it’s not only about condemning those acts, but about taking action.

Can you give an example of the action that was taken?
In the city council, we passed bills for the prevention of hate crimes. We also established the new Mayoral Office of Hate Crime Prevention. I have been at the forefront to stand up for hate against any community, not only the Jewish community. Any time someone is attacked, we need to remember that if one is attacked, we can all be attacked.

What is the profile of the perpetrators of anti-Semitism?
There are 3 types of individuals who commit hate crimes: 1. Someone who just has hate in their blood. 2. Someone with mental illness and 3. An uneducated youngster who doesn’t know what a Swastika means. That’s why the education part is really important, as well as mental health resources. Those who commit the act out of hate, they need to go to jail and pay for their crimes.

Is there a difference between the anti-Jewish attacks in Brooklyn, Jersey City and Monsey compared to Pittsburgh and Poway?
To me, it’s all domestic terrorism. In Poway and Pittsburgh, they were both attacks on people who were just praying and were killed for that. People should feel safe in their synagogues and should not have to look over their shoulder while praying. And it just brought close to home that anti-Semitism is unfortunately alive and well. So many people hate us and want to destroy our nation. So it’s more important now than ever to fight back and to stand up, and to be vocal when we see an act of terrorism to call it out.

How would you grade your colleagues on combatting anti-Semitism?
In the beginning, you didn’t hear anything from the elected officials. They just kept making press conferences and press releases, and then another rally. But we need to take action. Now, my work is finally coming to fruition. I met with the Mayor for 6 hours and the police commissioner for 3 hours, giving them my 10 point plan which includes legislation that I put in, and which also includes common-sense approaches to protect our houses of worship, our yeshivas and the Jewish people of the city.

There’s is a clear shift to the left in the Democratic party. Is there room for a “conservative Democrat” like you?
The fact that I vote against many of the bills that my colleagues vote for, and still have a very close working relationship with them, shows that my method works. I may disagree because I represent my constituents. Recently, I was asked by residents of Starrett City to help them with putting up an Eruv. Because I have a good relationship with their council member, we were able to get it done.

How well do you know the district?
My father came to America in 1965 and his first job was as a waiter at Gottlieb’s restaurant. I grew up with 3 brothers in a two-bedroom apartment and my parents had no money. So when it comes to issues that affect the district, I understand whether you are wealthy or someone who cannot put food on the table – because that is where I came from.

Let’s talk about electability. How will you ensure the Jewish vote when the incumbent has long-standing ties within the Jewish community?
There’s a difference between friendship and someone representing you. You can have friends in the Jewish community, and if they want to hang out with her, great. When it comes to bread and butter, when it comes to services, and taking care of people’s needs, I have the track record that I take action.

New York’s 9th congressional district is known for electing prominent liberals. How do you expect to win?
We’re going to make change…

You have been a prominent leader in the community since 1991 and are blessed with a family of 5 children and grandchildren. How do you balance your time?
When you’re in elected office, you need to have a supportive wife. The first time I ran, I asked my wife and she said yes. Thank G-d, she allowed me to run for City Council, and then I worked really hard and succeeded. When I won, I shocked my district and I shocked my wife. It was one of the most competitive races in the election. I am also a self-admitted workaholic, and I know how to juggle and multi-task. I also have very dedicated staff, we are like a family and we get things done.