Jewish Judge Faces Opposition

By COLlive reporter

The Honorable Michael Gerstein, Judge of the New York City Criminal Court of Kings County is the only one of his colleagues on the bench that is facing an opponent.

The traditional Jewish man is running for reelection in the Democratic Primary on Thursday, September 10, 2015, against Isiris Isela Isaac who is endorsed by Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and her mother, Dr. Una Clarke.

Residents of Crown Heights, Kensington, Flatbush and Midwood are eligible to vote in Thursday’s election in the Civil Court 6th District. The general judicial elections will be on November 3, 2015.

New York State Senator Jesse Hamilton, who recently was at odds with Yvette Clarke over her support for President Barack Obama‘s Iran nuclear deal, has endorsed Gerstein.

“For 10 years, Judge Michael Gerstein has been protecting our children, seniors, and families,” Hamilton said in a statement. “We need to re-elect him on Thursday.”

Gerstein, who worked as an attorney in private practice prior to his judicial election in 2006, is a proud member of the Jewish community, frequents Jewish events and has visited Crown Heights many times over the years.

New York City Council Member David Greenfield called Gerstein “a neighbor, friend and a nearly life-long member of our community” whose “passion for the law and a commitment to justice and public service has defined his life.”

Referring to Isela Isaac, Greenfield said: “We can show up and make our voice heard, or we can abandon our obligation and allow our community’s Judge to be replaced by someone who has not even reached out to our community.”

“We need more Judges with the intelligence, vision and compassion that Judge Michael Gerstein has demonstrated throughout his immense career,” Greenfield continued. “I cannot overstate the importance of demonstrating that our community votes.”

Although there are other judges up for re-election, Gerstein is the only one facing an opponent. Isela Isaac was defeated in the Democratic primary in 2014 and is now challenging Gerstein.

“Unfortunately, since this year’s election is on a Thursday instead of Tuesday, there are people who believe that Jews won’t come out and vote,” an activist told COLlive.com. “They are hoping to replace the only Jewish judge who represents our district.”

Residents of Crown Heights who live between Brooklyn Avenue and Park Slope from Eastern Parkway down to Rutland are able to vote.