WOODRIDGE, N.Y. — Yosef Asher Schlesinger has been appointed the first Hasidic and Orthodox Jew to serve as mayor of the Village of Woodridge, following the passing of the previous mayor. The appointment, decided by a vote of the Village Board of Trustees last week Monday, will carry him through the end of 2026.
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A former Brooklyn resident, Schlesinger moved to Woodridge eight years ago and quickly became a rising star in village government. He has served as a trustee and as fire commissioner, demonstrating his dedication to public service.
Schlesinger explained that he became mayor not as a direct successor, but because the deputy mayor was unable to serve due to being in a nursing home. “The board had to hold a vote, and Baruch Hashem, they chose me,” he said.
“The reason this happened is simple — people went out and voted,” Schlesinger emphasized. “Because the community supported me as a trustee, I was considered for mayor. Every single vote counts, and we cannot take it lightly.”
He urged the Orthodox Jewish community to recognize the influence of their votes in shaping local leadership. “When our community participates in elections, we help decide the direction of our neighborhoods and the character of our town,” he said.
Woodridge has become a growing year-round hub of Orthodox Jewish life, with a full-time Beis Medrash, mikvah, daily minyanim, and several housing developments catering to frum families. Leadership from local rabbonim, including Rabbi Yitzchok Lebovitch and Rabbi Hillel Grossman — Rabbi of Congregation Ohavei Sholom, Rebbe and lecturer at Yeshiva Gedola of Woodridge, and chaplain at a state correctional facility — has strengthened the community’s spiritual and educational foundation.
Schlesinger praised the cooperative relationship between the Jewish community and local authorities. “We’ve never experienced antisemitism here. The village and police department work hand in hand with us, especially during Shabbos and Yom Tov, to ensure the community’s safety.”
“My message is simple,” Schlesinger concluded. “We live in a country where every voice counts. When people vote, they make a difference. That’s how we build stronger communities and a better future for everyone.”
Yidden, we will all regrets if we don’t go out by the tens of thousands voting for Cuomo. As bad as he is he is no Mandami. Mandami with his community woke agenda will make NYC like sewer. All the degenerate Menivollim groups will rise their heads and do to NYC way way worse than anything we heard before. Besides the fact that anyone in Real estate can say goodbye to their business. This man does not like Jews at all.
Jews, Christians and Muslims.
Please do not vote for that Anti Semite anti Israel anti America communist Mandami
I used to spend my summers in Woodridge at a bungalow colony, as a youngster. Then, the Ontario and Western railroad, had a station nearby. It brought travelers up from the NYC area (I believe that they boarded in New Jersey). It is too bad that service was discontinued.
Sliwa Sliwa Sliwa Vote for Curtis Sliwa
vote for Sliwa.