New York – Jewish Community To Speak Out Against Paladino

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    New York – At a rally on the steps of City Hall on Monday, prominent Jewish Leaders will speak out against Carl Paladino and issue the following joint statement:

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    Today, we join with other prominent New Yorkers of all faiths to express our outrage at Carl Paladino’s nomination as the Republican nominee for governor. His extreme views and repugnant comments are out-of-step with New York values and make him unfit for public office.

    Mr. Paladino has rightly been called to account for a series of inflammatory statements he has made since launching his bid for governor. Just last week, a bi-partisan group of state leaders, including former Mayor Ed Koch and former Senator Al D’amato, declared that Mr. Paladino “practices a destructive brand of politics that will divide our state.”

    The Jewish Community, however, is particularly alarmed by Mr. Paladino’s attack on Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, an Orthodox Jew. Mr. Paladino said “[i]f I could ever describe a person who would fit the bill of an Antichrist or a Hitler, this guy is it.”

    Attacking a Jewish leader as the “anti-Christ” has long served as a serious warning to the Jewish community, historically acting as a prelude to anti-Semitic violence. Evoking the false charge that the Jewish community was responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus, the term “anti-Christ” has inspired centuries of bloody attacks on Jews, beginning with the pogroms of the Middle Ages and extending through to Iran’s present-day leaders. It is irresponsible and inexcusable for Mr. Paladino to tar a Jewish political adversary with a anti-Semitic code word. His comments would be unacceptable in any state in America, but are especially outrageous in New York, a state with a sizeable Jewish community and a history of religious tolerance.

    For Paladino to then, in the same breath, associate a Jewish political figure with Hitler, a mass murderer who killed six million fellow Jews, along with countless others, only adds insult to injury. Those types of false and incendiary comparisons have no place in our politics and neither does Mr. Paladino.

    As leaders who represent diverse constituencies within the Jewish community, we do not agree on everything. We are united, however, in our belief that Mr. Paladino’s repugnant conduct and outrageous comments have disqualified him from serving as governor of our state.

    The rally by Jewish leaders will take place on the steps of City Hall in New York City at 11 am on Monday, September 20.

    Participants at The rally will be:
    NY Assemblyman Dov Hikind
    Rabbi Yechiel Kaufman, Executive Director; Jewish Community Council of Boro Park
    Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum, Executive director; Rabbinical Alliance of America

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    53 Comments
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    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    This dreche Paladino is unfortunately going to become the face of the Republican party and doom it for a decade or longer to be the laughing stock of the country (behind Delaware and Nevada. While Republicans had legitimate anger over the way their party has been part of the fiasco in Alabany, why they would vote for such a bufoon is really beyond belief.

    14 years ago

    Its about time to rally that politicions should support school vouchers. Finaly there is a pro voucher candidate and they all go against him.

    14 years ago

    while paladino is a nut job and should probably not be elected , he makes some very good points. Silver is corrupt and is bankrupting the system.although he is not doing anything illegal his state of affairs (how he runs the assembly) is very manipulative and breeds corruption and extortion.Furtheremore, although he is a frum jew silver doesn’t represnt the frum jews. he is against school vouchers. What’s more, he is pro gay rights! He allowed the gay rights bill to reach the floor and pass in the state assembley

    14 years ago

    To #2 – that’s right! School vouchers is our main concern that will rescue the mosdos hatorah. We should not look for anything else!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    To No.2

    If you and any other yidden would support this vile, antisemitic jerk because he might give you a few dollars to pay the tuition for your yinglach, you deserve to suffer the painful consequences.

    14 years ago

    The Agudah and the Young Israel should be reaching out to Paladino he may be our next Governor. Unfortunately these organizations are scared of the Sheldon Silver- THE ONE PERSON WHO MAKES SURE WE DO NOT HAVE TUITION VOUCHERS. We need to leaders of OUR organizations.

    TheRealJoe123
    TheRealJoe123
    14 years ago

    Theses community leaders some of whom I have had dealings in the past with, better have thought this through 101x before going ahead with this rally, it might end up coming to bite us in the case that he wins the election, I mean a lot of these people supported Eric Shniederman who said he will give Sharpton space in his office, why is a few stupid statements from Palidino worse then that

    14 years ago

    This is not a good idea. The rally will not change the outcome of an election. Chances are, Carl Paladino will be the next governor. Will we be able to call upon him after such a rally?

    Cohen
    Cohen
    14 years ago

    Maybe somone can remind me when was the last time the Jewish community spoke out against Shelly Silver??? He has done more damage to the orthodox jewish community than any polotician in recent history. I’m sorry but paladino’s comment is not far off. Yes he didnt have to express it in those words but Silver is a MAJOR problem for the Jews. How can he call himself orthodox he is pro gay marriage? How can he call himself Jewish if he is willing to sell off his brothers and sisters for honor and power? Does anyone remember the last time he defended Jews? He is a self hating Jew. Let him rot. Let paladino win and take care of albany.
    How many times are we going to make the same mistake and vote a liberal in? They are just killing us. Yes they get us earmarks worth a few million dollars but what about hundreds of millions going to other places because of them. We will be better off without earmarks and lower taxes. Yes we pay hundreds of millions in taxes and get pennies back. You keep your money and let us keep ours. Everyone is just scared of change. Yes these rabbis and organizations who are “representing” us don’t care about us only themselves. Don’t trust them for change of a dime

    bigwheeel
    bigwheeel
    14 years ago

    Whether he means everything uttered by his mouth is irrelevant. But his inflammatory rhetoric has already done untold damage. He comes across as a first rate demagogue and imbalanced, too. Hopefully, he’ll self-destruct before the election in November.

    yaakov doe
    Member
    yaakov doe
    14 years ago

    Paladino may have the right position on some issues, but he’s a raving lunatic. To call anyone the anti-Chr—- is inexusable. You’d have to have some knowledge of their docterine to realize what this allegation means to them.

    fiftyseven
    fiftyseven
    14 years ago

    i will make a rally to show support for Carl Paladino! these so called jewish leaders don’t represent any jews! oh and btw Yossi Gestetner just tweeted that Rabbi Lerner told him he will NOT attend the protest

    liberals-are-nuts
    liberals-are-nuts
    14 years ago

    Bunch of liberal jews. There out of touch

    SamLevine
    SamLevine
    14 years ago

    We all real jewish ppl support Paladino, we will all vote for him november.
    Its just a few so called leaders scared that there corrupt dem politicians will loss office together with there influence.
    Its new times in NY.
    Carl Paladino is the man!!!

    Babishka
    Member
    Babishka
    14 years ago

    Dear #2 : would you vote for Hitler “YM”S if he supported vouchers? Paladino is an extreme whackjob who should be avoided by everyone.

    Reubies
    Reubies
    14 years ago

    Come November I will rather vote Republican “Buffoon” than Democrat anything.

    fiftyseven
    fiftyseven
    14 years ago

    Yossi Gestetner just tweeted that Rabbi Pesach Lerner has told him that he will NOT attend this protest. The jewish comunity DOES support Carl Paladino! we should make a rally to show support to a man who wants to fix a broken Albany! take a look at what Lopez said about the brooklyn jews. These so-called jewish leaders don’t represent anybody anyway! they have lost our support a long long time ago.

    1234
    1234
    14 years ago

    Biggest mistake. u never know he’s gona win. U never gona get a favor from him if he gets elected. Why do u need to come out against him ? U can endures cuomo with out coming out against him. Such stupid leaders. U r not speaking for the Jewish Community. Change the title. New York – Jewish Community To Speak Out Against Paladino

    Secular
    Secular
    14 years ago

    While I think Lazzio would have made a better Republican candidate. I think it’s a HUGE mistake for the ‘Jewish Community’ to go against Carl Paladino. What’s troubling is that these so-called Jewish representatives align themselves with liberal-progressive types, whose values are often antithetical to traditional jewish values. Pro abortion, Pro gay marriage. The support of Dov Hikind and others like him, lacks credibility because he himself is a member of a democratic party so he speaks as a democrat first and as a Jew second.

    And while Sheldon Silver may provide some representation to the Jewish community in the state assembly, we again must remember that he aligns himself with the Democrat party which again holds values antithetical to the Torah. Also, it is because of Sheldon Silver that there has been no tort reform or Malpractice reform in the state of New york. Also recall, that the state assembly has been deadlocked for over a month during the summer, and that the state only has emergency budgets filed from week to week because they refuse to work with their own Democrat Governor! to pass an annual budget. How many people know that he is on retainer for the (malpractice) law firm of Weitz and Luxemberg..certainly a conflict of interest.

    The issue of school voutures is nothing more than a campaign promise. Bloomberg promised private school voutures before being elected to his second (not third) term. He has since been re-elected and still no voutures. My feeling is, the promise of vouchers is something used to get middle class (private school) parents on board. However the reality is, many private schools (Yeshivas) themselves do NOT want vouchers because they then have to disclose the exact amount of tuition and expenditures, the fact that they charge for Lunches in spite of receiving goverment assistance, amount of scholarships etc.

    If you are sincererly worried about the economics of the state and of the country as a whole It would be wise not to alienate the republican and TEA party.

    Jacobtheblogger
    Jacobtheblogger
    14 years ago

    Here again the Cuomo campaign is trying to fear us , the Jewish community is not anymore obligated to the establishment, we have seen candidates come and go, and yet no change has been made to dirty politics and to the way Albany and NYC is working, Yes! We all are mad, we have our rights, and hurt by such a sinking economy that has driven so many of us into the ditch, will no more tolerate the pre election scare tactics, that are made to shift away the discussion from the real issues, and approve every politician running on the Democratic ticket, as if we didn’t have enough.. our vote is not for sale and not for granted,,,New Yorkers will have the choice to choose and to vote for the guy they believe that will bring to really change to our State,and that will fight on our behalf and not on behalf of lobbyist and power seekers.

    Secular
    Secular
    14 years ago

    Instead of protesting palladino they should protest Ahmadenijad

    Mikes
    Mikes
    14 years ago

    Don’t worry guys! We all know why this leader’s back, Silver. We also know, that the BP Lazar-Greenfeld election has proven that what the leaders say doesn’t mean anything to the voters! So if you’re fed up with Albany, don’t be afraid that the Jewish votes will go to the same old corrupted politicians!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Gestetner has no idea who is coming to the demonstration, especially Lerner and the YI crowd who are strong advocates of torah values and conservative but have half a brain…somthing Paladino and Gestetner seem to lack. Paladino’s racist and antisemtic comments put him in the same sewer as Ahmadenijad

    14 years ago

    #3 & #6 are right. Carl Paladino is uncouth, unrefined, & untried, but despite his crass approach he actually does have excellent ideas. Shelly Silver is a disgrace to the Jewish community. Dov Hikind is an opportunist.

    I’m a Republican & I must say I have a certain unease about Paladino. But if you take his big mouth out of the equation, he’s the best guy running. Unfortunately, i get the sense he has a long memory & will not forget insults. Someone high up representing the rest of us needs to stand up for Paladino, otherwise Kiryat Joel, New Square, & us plebs in NYC can forget about future funding.

    phx613
    phx613
    14 years ago

    I moved out of NYC 16 years ago, so update me. It’s my understanding that Sheldon Silver is a liberal, as is Chuck Schumer, as is Andrew Cuomo. Somebody please tell me what any of them has done for the Orthodox Jewish community? Are they supporters of Obama? Where do they stand on the mosque near ground zero? It appears that Paladino is a less than perfect candidate, but examine where he stands on the issue, not by a few callous statements. Remember New Yorkers, you voted out one of the strongest voices for Jews and Israel , Al D’Amato, for Chuck Schumer, who certainly does not represent our interests. Don’t make the same mistake. Liberals do not represent Orthodox Judaism, the Democratic Party has been taken over by radicals.Remember, Governor Pataki and Mayor Giuliani, these are the type of leaders we need. Let’s take our country back before it’s too late.

    Paskunyak
    Paskunyak
    14 years ago

    A very impressive list of leaders of organizations who stand to lose lots of money if a Republican (who can cut the fat in NY) is elected Governor.

    C’mon guys, was George Pataki, a Republican, so bad? But ALL of you with the “Open Hands” organizations didn’t vote for him and he still gave you money because Republicans fund what is right and what is needed. The Demorats BUY your votes.

    We threw Alfonse D’Amato under the bus. He was the most pro-Jewish, pro-Israel US Senator at the time but Chucky Schumer came along promising big $$$ to those who supported him. Some got their $$$$$ and the Jewish Community and the rest of the country got shafted.

    Yes, Paladino’s statement was stupid and he should apologize to the community for it.

    I didn’t hear the same kvetching and noise when any Demorat made anti Jewish or anti Israel statements in the past and there have been many.

    Our community is small, very small. We really don’t control as many votes as we think we do. Look at what happened in Lakewood, NJ. The Community Leadership endorsed the Demorat for Governor because he promised them lots of $$$$$$$$$$. 94% of the Lakewood Jewish Community voted for the Republican! The Republican won, B”H and is doing a great job.

    The same thing will happen in NY. The large organizations will cry and throw a tantrum and support the Demorat, no matter who it is but the bulk of the Jewish Community will support the candidate who will keep NY afloat.

    I will vote for Paladino. When he wins the election he will change his tune because he will need many of your organizations. Your board members may think differently.

    Remember a President’s wife who kissed Mrs. Arafat after listening to her speech about how the Jews poisoned her people? Then she ran for NY Senate against Rick Lazio a supporter of Israel and other Jewish issues. Why did the community back the Arab loving Demorat against the Jew loving Republican?

    I could go on but you get the picture.

    yuppi
    yuppi
    14 years ago

    Dov I love you dearly ! But on this one you’re dead wrong ! Please don’t do this !

    Mark Levin
    Mark Levin
    14 years ago

    They could demonstrate all they want but people VOTED for him! They are all nuts because the alternative is someone who is well entrenched in socialized liberalism which means more taxes and more nanny state.

    Besides, all these libs don’t have to vote for him in the general election. They could all keep voting socialized liberal democrat like they have been all along!

    HeshyEkes
    HeshyEkes
    14 years ago

    Calling someone “a hitler” is just what people who didn’t go through the Holocaust refer to a petty dictator, which Shelly probably is. Let’s not go crazy over Paladino’s comment. His positions are certainly closer to the frum community than that arrogant, liberal Cuomo. Besides, Paladino doesn’t stand much of a chance in the welfare state of NY where there are alot more takers (from the Govt) than Payers.

    fiftyseven
    fiftyseven
    14 years ago

    How about Dov Hikind & Lefkowitz making a protest against Lopez the Dem Boss in Brooklyn? he said “If No One Respects My Leadership, How Do I Fight the Hasidim”?”

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Lopez made his comments nearly 10 years ago….Paladino insults yidden and minorities on a daily basis and seems to take delight in the insults and obscenities he hurls around with no sense of self-control. Dov and the others understand that there are more important issues here than vouchers and gay marriage.

    czyrankevic
    czyrankevic
    14 years ago

    who appointed these people as leaders besides who needs their instructions on who to vote for if they want to impart their opinions let them do it in schul not for every antismit to see and hear

    Mikes
    Mikes
    14 years ago

    I really understand these leaders who are protesting! They’re anyways going to city hall to pick up there CHECK, so they’ll do whatever they’ll be told to do, by the corrupted establishment, like a puppet!

    However, so far I’m not getting a check from them. They only keep asking me for money. That’s why I’m going to vote them outa there. VOTE PALADINO!

    Alan
    Alan
    14 years ago

    Remember Hitler was against smoking and into healthy eating. These nut jobs are not conservatives, not good for the Jews, and make easy targets for liberals.

    bubble
    bubble
    14 years ago

    So D’Amato is upset that his puppet :Lazio =did not get elected he throws tantrum.
    Time to change the make up of Albany even if it take a wackjob who was never in politics

    The best jobs today are in the government, Once elected to are there for life, and can
    do what ever you please

    Try that in the private sector

    scmaness
    scmaness
    14 years ago

    gam do la tovah,whatever it takes for the world to do teshuvoh,may we see the imminent geula!

    Smokey
    Smokey
    14 years ago

    Former Senator Al D’Amato has said that calling Paladino an eccentric is an understatement D’Amato said that he is not endorsing either the Democrat or the Republican candidate, but that he thinks that Andrew Cuomo has done a good job. I believe that D’Amato’s pro-Jewish credentials are substantially in order. Who can forget the work he did in getting the Swiss banks to release the money from the accounts of holocaust victims to their survivors? [Rhetorical question.] Probably some of the posters here are too young to have ever heard about D’Amato..

    14 years ago

    Paladino is crazy, even by Republican standards. He talks about welfare recipients draining the NYS budget, while he has gotten hundreds of millions of dollars as a Buffalo landlord.

    To all those who would vote for him only because of the tuition vouchers—do you also support Moslems getting vouchers for their schools? I didn’t think so—you don’t support them building a mosque on their own property! Besides, candidates can promise anything—once they get into office, if their platform is determined to be unconstitutional, then it won’t get done!

    14 years ago

    Go ahead paladino! We are all with you! Go ahead to clean up corrupted albany! Go ahead to cut NYS taxes! Go ahead to install school vouchers!

    14 years ago

    All these groise knakers could say what they want! We the people who give away our last piece of bread to pay the enormous tution fees will vote for anyone on the ballot who supports voucher. Don’t worry paladino we are all with you!

    Tzi_Bar_David
    Tzi_Bar_David
    14 years ago

    Paladino may be crazy but don’t kid yourselves, Upstate New Yorkers *HATE* the NYC and its politicians of which Boy-Cuomo is exhibit “A”. Paladino ought to call out that Cuomo at HUD was the prime architect of the mortgage disaster. Paladino will get a strong support from north of Rockland County. He very well could be the next governor…remember how Pataki took out Cuomo, it was with the Upstate voters. It would be fun to see Silver called out daily as the hypocrite that he is.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Reply to #40

    You are like the right wing evangelicals who will vote for any candidate who is anti-abortion no matter positions they take and no matter how bigoted the candidate might be. Most of us put our children through yeshiva an college without taking money form tzadakah or demanding vouchers. If you are too poor to afford to pay tuition for your childredn, get a better paying job, send your wife to work, swictch to a cheaper yeshiva or BJ, or have fewer children. Don’t look for tax money to pay your bills, B’yh they will NEVER give public money to private school tuition.

    charliehall
    charliehall
    14 years ago

    Lets see, on the one hand we have a shomer Shabat yeshiva grad who has brought millions of government dollars into the Jewish community.

    On the other hand, we have a non-Jew who distributes vile pornography who blasts that kind of aid yet pledges to create school vouchers while cutting taxes, even though he can’t create vouchers because the NY State Constitution prohibits them, and to do so would require a massive tax increase.

    And many commenters on this site are supporting the pornographer over the shomer Shabat Jew, even though the pornographer has described the Jew in terms reminiscent of 1930s Europe?

    MazelKGH
    MazelKGH
    14 years ago

    Paladino or Lazio – I don’t care. Anybody but Cuomo – he is the real “nut” job.

    Paskunyak
    Paskunyak
    14 years ago

    To # 43-Charliehall–
    There are 2 non-Jews running for Governor of New York.
    One is a Republican Conservative the other one is a liberal Democrat.

    You may want to be “liberal” with your money but don’t be “liberal” with mine.
    You may want to support homos but I do not support their wild agenda.
    You may want someone who supports Islamists but I don’t.
    You can vote for the non-Jew, liberal Coumo who is responsible for the Mortgage
    meltdown but I will vote for non-Jew, Conservative Paladino who will clean up the mess in NY.

    Charlie, why do you always support the candidate who is opposed to Torah values?

    charliehall
    charliehall
    14 years ago

    Not only would Paladino not have the power to create school vouchers were he to be elected governor because of the explicit prohibition in the NY State Constition that prohibits aid to religious schools, the governor has no role in the process of amending the NY State Constitution! Basically,the people who are supporting Paladino because of his support for vouchers have done the equivalent of purchasing the Brooklyn Bridge.

    PMOinFL
    PMOinFL
    14 years ago

    I must say, I absolutely love where all of this is going. All the know-nothing Palin followers and Limbaugh/Beck worshipers who thought they were following “conservatives”, only followed a group of ignorant hacks right down the toilet. All the while pushing REAL conservatives out of the way.

    Thanks to these tea-party nutjobs, not only will NY NOT get a Republican governor, but the Senate will remain FIRMLY in the Democrats hands.

    It is unbelievable to me how we allowed the dumbest and most ignorant and unqualified among us to set this stage.

    In a year when Democrats should be thrown to the trash, they will retain power not because they deserve to, but because they were smarter, better educated, and never did anything to stop the tea-party. They WANTED the tea-party to get their candidates in. Once again, they ignorant have been beaten by their own foolishness.

    I’m just glad William F. Buckley and Ronald Reagan aren’t alive to see this. One day, when REAL Conservatism takes hold, it certainly won’t include ignorant morons like Paladino.

    Paskunyak
    Paskunyak
    14 years ago

    To #46 - Your have a valid point about school vouchers. But look at all the other issues. There is a world of difference between the positions of Coumo & Paladino.

    see #45

    14 years ago

    to #42 The yeshiva grad has brought very few dollars into the Jewish community( unless you count his friends and relatives)- he takes care of his district and the teachers union that is who he cares about – that is his people.

    14 years ago

    #24
    is it all about money? There once was a leaderm in Europe in the 1930’s who appealed to the people because of the need of money…..