NEW YORK (Yaakov M / VINnews) — Governor Kathy Hochul is in full panic mode. Virtually the entire orthodox Jewish community has come out in support of Lee Zeldin, due to Hochul’s lack of support of our community.
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Many Rabbanim and community leaders feel that we are being targeted, and unlike Lee Zeldin who has been a true friend of the Jews, Hochul has thrown us under the bus.
As a result, the governor has released a statement asking for Jewish support. She is clearly desperate to salvage what used to be a reliably Democratic voting bloc. However if you read her letter carefully, Hochul’s stance on the issues that matter most to our community has not changed. She uses cleverly ambiguous words, but her true sentiments are undoubtedly clear.
Below is a response and fact-check of Hochul’s statement (full letter below):
As your governor, I proudly stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters across the state and will continue to send a strong message that New York has zero tolerance for antisemitism. This community has been targeted for so many years, and I will do everything in my power to protect you from evil and hate and will continue to fight for your right to practice your religion.
FALSE.
Governor Hochul has not done “everything in her power”. Quite the opposite. She has allowed crime to run rampant, and Jews have been repeatedly targeted by violent antisemitic hate crimes.
Despite overwhelming support from the frum community (at least until recent weeks), Hochul has not instituted a single policy to reduce antisemitism or punish those who commit hate crimes. Her no-cash-bail policy, which she refuses to reverse, has given criminals a guarantee they can commit vicious crimes, repeatedly, and get zero consequences.
The numbers don’t lie. A recent ADL report that shows New York led the nation with 416 reported antisemitic incidents last year. This year is already worse, with 577 incidents reported in the first seven months.
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I recognize that education is an important value in the Jewish community and I want to assure everyone that Jewish schools will always be treated with fairness and respect.
FALSE.
Hochul has not treated Jewish schools with “fairness and respect.” The State Education Department has targeted yeshivas. They are attempting to invade our schools and hijack their curriculum with devastating restrictions. Unlike Lee Zeldin, Hochul has dodged the issue and essentially said there is nothing that she can do. Yeshivas and Jews are being discriminated against, their constitutional rights are being violated, and Hochul, the most powerful politician in the state, has been silent.
I also fundamentally believe that every school across New York should have the resources to provide a proper education that gives every student the opportunity to be successful, and I remain committed to ensuring that continues to be the case.
PROBABLY TRUE.
If you read these words carefully, Hochul is hinting that she supports the equivalency guidelines. “Proper education” and “opportunity to be successful” are code words that suggest an overhaul of the yeshiva curriculum. A typical politician, Hochul is carefully choosing her words, so that all sides can see whatever they choose. However a careful reading makes it very clear that she does not stand with yeshivas.
I am proud of the relationships that I have made over the years with the members and leaders of New York’s Orthodox Jewish communities. As Lieutenant Governor, I visited many Jewish summer camps in the Catskill mountains and I got to see, firsthand, the wonderful children coming through our yeshiva system across our great state. As Governor, my understanding of, and appreciation for the Jewish community has grown even stronger.
When Hochul was Lieutenant Governor, and the Jewish community was being tormented and singled out by Cuomo’s “red zones”, as the black community was allowed to mass protest, where was Hochul? She refused to defend our community. When Cuomo shut down camps in the Catskills for political reasons, and our children suffered, where was Hochul? Her “appreciation for the Jewish community” is convenient NOW, when Hochul badly needs our votes. However her track record is sorely lacking and contradicts these words.
I want the Jewish community to thrive in New York and educate their children here, as they add to the mosaic of our beautiful state. I will continue to work with Rabbis, Administrators and leaders in the Jewish community to help them in every way that I can, in order to keep the Jewish communities of New York growing and flourishing for many years to come.
When she says “work with Administrators and leaders in the Jewish community”, Hochul is happy to take our donations, and probably gives our institutions funding in return. With that said, she has made it clear that she does not want to keep our community “growing and flourishing.” Between rampant antisemitic hate crimes and the war against yeshivas, the Jewish community is suffering more in New York than any time in recent memory, and Hochul has thrown us under the bus.
Read the most crucial line from @KathyHochul's letter: "Provides an education that gives every student the opportunity to be successful" because… Yeshivas don't do that.
The supposed lack of success of Yeshivs alumni is on what the anti-Yeshiva agitation is predicted on.
— Yossi Gestetner (@YossiGestetner) November 1, 2022
The democrats have lied to
Us for so long they no
Longer know the truth from their fantasy
I think Gov. Hochul should be treated with respect, thanked for good things she has done, and not be subjected to unfair, hysterical attacks.
Nevertheless, legitimate issues must be addressed.
Now, let’s leave the Jewish issues aside for a moment. What about rising violent crime and deteriorating quality of life, which affects all people? That needs to be addressed, and it has not been adequately dealt with. It is a serious crisis, an emergency. Her Republican opponent has said that he will declare a state of emergency to address it. That seems to me like the type of decisive action that is needed.
Kathy Hochul also says that crime in New York is a figment of your imagination. Why anyone would believe anything she says is beyond me…..
Her words are empty . How stupid does she think we are ?
Everyone is getting distracted with the meaningless Governors race. At the end of the day, for the Frum community, nothing will change. What’s much more important is the SENATE RACE! We have a golden opportunity to depose of Chuck Schumer once and for all. Republican Joe Pinion is running against him. If Chuck is defeated, that’s it. The Senate is in our hands. With Pelosi and Schumer gone from power, we can start bringing this once great nation back. With Pence, DeSantis, or Pompeo as President in 2024, things will be very good for the Yidden be”h. Go out and VOTE FOR JOE PINION!!!
Too little too late , we already voted for Zeldin you’ll not going to full us at the 11 th hour
Just keep in mind she’s talking about the LGBTQ plus divided by sign community.. She also stands with all the self hating ignorant Jews that condemn Israel. And condemn anything to do with Torah education. She also stands with all the Hasidic Jews that turned a blind eye to her evil ways and took her money and empty promises.
Keep all this in mind when voting.
She pledged nothing to us in the letter. Just the standard vague talk about “doing everything in my power” (Which she sure has not done yet) along with an even vaguer reference to continuing to support peoples right to religion and recognition of importance of religious education etc. There is absolutely nothing in this letter that the SED and those who are pushing pro criminal policies couldn’t have written too.
The real question is, do Jews stand with other Jews ? Answer is only if it’s profitable.
Any-decent, sane erlicha Jew that does not vote for Zeldin deserves to be put in cherem. Not to mention that such a person is self-hating and self Not only is she unquestionably a klafta of the first order, but a virulent anti-semite . This is in reference to us as Yidden. Regarding her as a candidate in general – she is sub-standard, corrupt as they come, and takes every single citizen of this once great State of N.Y. for fools.
Satmar backs her.
She obviously convinced satmar aronim
Just came here to post that I did not read your article because your lie habitually in your articles. No idea if maybe you got something right for a change.
Please do not forget: She ate choulent ten years ago.
Hochel stands with jews only when she needs the jews afterwards she has no need for jews
I find this letter offensive and meaningless. A last-minute “attempt” to try and persuade the Frum Communities across NYC & NYS to vote for her & the Corrupt NY-Democratic Machine that has set the NYC & NYS back by at least a decade & then some. All of a sudden she needs us & our vote ?? Kathy “Crimewave” Hochul and her minions never dreamed that out-of-control crime would become The #1 Issue of this race and as a result the Gubernatorial-race would even be a contest. She is completely clueless and out of touch with reality. Just talk to the average working person for proof. Her corrupt party dominates the media but she continues to cry how crime in NYC & NYS is a Right-Wing conspiracy!! Go figure. She does not have the backbone, knowledge or political-skills to accomplish anything other than giving back to her donors & lobbyists. Shame on any Frum Organization, Group & “Askanim” that have openly endorsed Hochul and any other corrput Democrat. We need checks & balances and the frauds in our communities have been exposed!
The real question relating to yeshiva ed, can the Governor really stop the BOE to intervene in the yeshiva curriculum? I understand crime they do have power over but I wonder if they can get in the way of the BOE.
Now Hochul ain’t as bad and aint the villan we make her out to be.
But neither is Zeldin. Charlie Hall continues to repeat lies about him. Abortion he says. look at his vote. Now lets get real and honest. What kind of abortion is vital for us frum torah jews? The real serious ones such rape incesset or danger to the mother’s life and early on. Does anyone in their right mind really think that Zeldin will make that illegal here in NY? As if its TX? Cmon Charlie please tell me with a serious face that you believe that. So big deal he signed some bill that he knew would get nowhere that out lawed it. Gimme a break and you know it.
Re some obscure election fraud so far fetched. It sonly allegatons and Xeldin didn’t do it. Again grasping on straws.
Bottom lone Hochul ain’t a villain but Zeldin is far better and he ain’t a trumpy nut either