Crown Heights has seen record-breaking voter turnout thanks to a campaign by COLlive and the Jewish Future Alliance (JFA).
In 2024, 5,783 Anash members voted, including 1,200 first-timers—a 30% jump from 2020—while the June 2025 primary drew 3,322 voters, up 23% from 2021 and 593% since 2013.
Many who once felt their vote didn’t matter are now stepping forward, ahead of the upcoming November 4, 2025 mayoral election. Here is one of them in our “New to the Ballot” series. The following is not an endorsement of a candidate or party.
Yossi Farro
Favorite block: President Street (and of course 770)
Favorite Restaurant: House of Glatt
I grew up in Crown Heights, and it’s always felt like home to me. What I love most is the energy—the vibe of the neighborhood, the people, the community. It feels like a shtetl, a real Jewish community.
A big part of my life has been putting tefillin on Jews. It started after my Bar Mitzvah in Oholei Torah, continued in Israel, Los Angeles, and Miami. In Los Angeles, I wrapped tefillin with some celebrities, and that really took off—it gave me the push to keep going with it everywhere I went.
Politically, the moment that left the strongest mark on me was the Donald Trump election. Seeing him win in 2016 as the underdog was incredible, and then again in 2024. I was actually there—on election night in Palm Beach, and later at the inauguration in DC, just thirty feet away from him. To witness those historic moments up close made a huge impact.
When I think about New York today, Jewish education is one of the most pressing issues. On a city level, though, I’d point to the subway—it could be cleaner, safer, and have better Wi-Fi. Sometimes I don’t feel safe there, and I think a lot of it ties back to mental health. The same goes for certain streets in the city. People need real help, and until they get it, parts of New York will keep feeling unsafe.
Recently, I registered to vote for the first time. I hadn’t done it earlier because I thought the city was fine and didn’t really need change. But this time, I realized it does matter.
The JFA awareness push motivated me. What it came down to was simple: we have to defeat Zhoran Mamdani. I’m worried that if he wins, the city could take a radical turn, becoming more socialist, maybe even a place where extremist rallies get out of hand. If that happens, I’d probably spend less time here—not because I don’t feel safe, but because the vibe of the city and neighborhood could change completely.
My message to Crown Heights is: don’t get caught up in the negativity. Stay strong. Moshiach now.
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To register to vote, visit AnashVote.org
How could ur favorite block be president street?? Have u seen it recently?!? Its appalling!!! Absolute dysfunction right here in the heart of the Shechuna!! Yossi, plz use ur many connections to put and end to the “PRESIDENT STREET MADNESS” right away!!!
President on Tishrai is a true testament to real Ahavas Yisroel.
Yossi!
Keep up your good work
This message seems like it’s written by someone from small town in Long Island or some other suburban American Town. No reason to hate on a beautiful CH block – undergoing long necessary repairs.
Stay Positive – and have a good YT.
Maybe cuz the Rebbe lives on that block?? Maybe just maybe?
Also Rubashkin? Maybe?
“Syog Lachochma – Shesika”
Ksiva Vachasima Tova!
I want to begin by expressing my upmost hakaras hatov to the residents of President street for being the heart and soul of the Shechuna YEAR ROUND. Your sacrifice does not go unnoticed! From being a bus station, to a kaporas station (everyone should go to Beis Rivkah btw), to a literal home for thousands during tishrei, it’s truly something special and really defines our community!! My earlier comment was expressing my frustration with the construction on President street (Btwn Kingston & Albany). I’ve spoken to many residents there who are beyond frustrated with the constant noise (from 7 am,… Read more »
I dont get why we dont start stepping up to the plate already and just run for these things ourselves…vote for yossi!!
Go yossi Farro as Mayor!!!
Mamdani is part of them, part of their movement. Has already worked legislatively to try to advance it and proudly participated in those egregious protests. Even socialism is mild in comparison. Not all the socialists who are brain washed against Israel go that far. Go, Yossi Farro, keep bringing light and revealing Moshiach and the Geulah helping people put on tefillin and in many ways. And yes, say a kapital tehillim and vote.