Yeshiva World News

A slew of endorsements over the weekend bolstered Joe Lazar’s candidacy to succeed Simcha Felder in the upcoming race for the 44 City Council District seat.

But the emergence of another candidate from Borough Park and Lazar’s reluctance to debate his co-frontrunner David Greenfield continues to turn the special election slated for March 23 into a dogfight.

The district includes Borough Park and parts of Midwood and Bensonhurst.

Among the endorsements Lazar picked up over the weekend include neighboring 39th District City Councilmember Brad Lander and his former opponent John Heyer.

In last year’s fiercely contested Democratic Primary in the 39th City Council district, Lander and Heyer battled for the small portion of the district which includes Borough Park.

Though Lander won the Council race, Heyer, a conservative Democrat, did exceptionally well in Borough Park, winning the neighborhood 1,245 to 219, or roughly by a count of 6-1.

Lazar also picked up endorsements from Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Rep. Edolphus Towns, State Senator Diane Savino, Assemblymembers Dov Hikind, Peter Abbate, Felix Ortiz, Steven Cymbrowitz and Jim Brennan, State Senator Kevin Parker, and Councilmember Matthieu Eugene.

Lazar said he is humbled by both Lander and Heyer coming out for him, which embraces his campaign slogan that “A Community When United Will Thrive.”

Lazar also took a swipe at Greenfield when he was asked if he would agree to a debate with him.

“I believe in debating people who have a record to debate,” said Lazar. “I don’t believe he (Greenfield) has a record to debate.”

Greenfield, who has received endorsements from former Mayor Ed Koch and other local elected officials, responded that it’s unfortunate that Lazar needs to run a negative campaign.

“I’m not sure why he’s afraid of a debate. I would challenge him to debate every week for the next six weeks so voters can hear directly from him what Joe Lazar plans on doing as a city councilman,” said Greenfield.

While both Lazar and Greenfield have received a good share of endorsements, both could be challenged by longtime Borough Park Attorney Nochman Caller, 62, who also decided to run.

“I’m more qualified (than the other candidates), said Caller. “I’m a Columbia Law School graduate with a lot of experience in law and practical business. We don’t need politicians. We need someone who can get things done.”

Ezra Friedlander, president and CEO of the Friedlander Group government and public relations firm based in Borough Park, said Lazar and Greenfield are both hoping the endorsements will translate into votes.

“Caller could be spoiler. In a three-man race, anything can happen,” said Friedlander. “He (Caller) is still relatively unknown. You could make an argument it (Caller’s running) could hurt or help either candidate.”

Also running in the open election is Republican Jonathan Judge.

(Source: http://www.yournabe.com/)

Brooklyn, NY – Council hopeful David Greenfield huddled this afternoon with Brooklyn Democratic Party Chairman Vito Lopez and Deputy Mayor Kevin Sheekey to discuss the possibility of Mayor Bloomberg endorsing Greenfield’s bid to succeed Simcha Felder in the 44th CD.

The meeting took place in downtown Manhattan (not City Hall), according to sources familiar with the get-together.

The endorsement isn’t a done deal yet, but it is looking highly likely. When and if an official announcement comes, it won’t be an enormous surprise.

Greenfield already enjoys the support of former Mayor Ed Koch, a close Bloomberg ally. Also, a former Bloomberg aide, Mark Botnick, who was also at today’s meeting, is managing Greenfield’s campaign.

Bloomberg doesn’t have the greatest track record when it comes to the success of his endorsees, but his support in the 44th CD could have a big impact.

There was considerable pre-Election Day speculation about Bloomberg losing support among Orthodox voters in Brooklyn, who make up a significant portion of the 44th CD. But, the mayor performed strongly there on Nov. 3, winning more than 70 percent of the vote, which was slightly lower than his 2005 results, but still very high.

A Greenfield supporter noted that none of the candidates backed by Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who is working very hard for Joe Lazar and against Greenfield in the 44th CD special election, carried his district last fall – that includes Bill Thompson, Sen. Kevin Parker, Councilman Brad Lander and Comptroller John Liu.

Greenfield isn’t the only one working on his endorsements.

Lazar is poised to land the support of Lander and one of his 2009 primary opponents, John Heyer, who carried Borough Park last September.

Lazar was also endorsed by Sen. Diane Savino – who was for Greenfield until Seymour Lachman floated his name (he decided against entering the race yesterday) – Parker, who has made it clear his main goal is to keep Hikind happy, and Assemblymen Steve Cymbrowitz and Jim Brennan.

(Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/)

As you all know, we at YWN believe that everyone should have the opportunity to communicate to you. As a result, we printed a press release – in good faith – from retired civil servant Joe Lazar which claimed support from several elected officials including Senator Kevin Parker. Apparently, Mr. Lazar’s release was not true and Mr. Lazar never got the Senator’s endorsement.  Now the Senator is upset at YWN. Please see Senator Parker’s release below.

[It should be noted that YWN clearly wrote the words "Press Release From Lazar Campaign" at the bottom of the press release in question - posted below as well.]

Brooklyn, NY- State Senator Kevin Parker has pledged to stay neutral in the 44th District City Council race to succeed Simcha Felder between Joe Lazar and David Greenfield.  Contrary to an article posted in the Sunday, January 31, 2010 Yeshiva World Newspaper, which claims Senator Parker has not endorsed Joe Lazar. Senator Parker issues this statement:

“These are two strong candidates running, and that’s a good and healthy thing for Boro Park. However, my primary duty now is to concentrate on serving the people of the 21st District,” said Senator Parker. “Whichever candidate wins, I look forward to developing a solid working relationship with them in our shared goal of serving the people of the 44th District.”

Senator Kevin Parker represents an ethnically diverse community in the 21st District including:  Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington and Borough Park.

EXCERPT FROM JOE LAZAR PRESS RELEASE POSTED BY YWN ON JANUARY 30, 2010:

“…..Joe Lazar is already compiled a long list of formidable endorsements from elected officials, including Congressman Edolphus Towns, Assemblyman Dov Hikind, Assemblyman, Peter J. Abbate, Jr. Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, State Senator Kevin S. Parker, Councilmember Matthieu Eugene and Councilmember Brad Lander…….

See full release: http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=46405

(Dov Gordon – YWN)

New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio announced his endorsement of Joe Lazar for City Council in the special election to fill the soon-to-be vacant seat in Brooklyn’s 44th Councilmanic District.

“I am proud to support Joe Lazar for City Council,” said de Blasio. “Joe is an exceptional leader with a long proven track record of securing services and funding for his community in essential areas like health care, education and affordable housing.”

“I am honored to receive Public Advocate de Blasio’s endorsement in this special election for City Council,” said Joe Lazar. “I believe that an elected official’s most important job is to be the public’s advocate. The fact that Bill de Blasio, the person who all the people of New York City chose to be our advocate, is endorsing my candidacy, I believe speaks volumes about what I aim to achieve in the City Council. No one will fight harder for the residents and businesses of Borough Park, Midwood and Bensonhurst than I will.”

Even though Mayor Bloomberg has not yet officially declared the special election to fill Councilman Simcha Felder’s seat, who is resigning to become a Deputy Comptroller, Joe Lazar is already compiled a long list of formidable endorsements from elected officials, including Congressman Edolphus Towns, Assemblyman Dov Hikind, Assemblyman, Peter J. Abbate, Jr. Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, State Senator Kevin S. Parker, Councilmember Matthieu Eugene and Councilmember Brad Lander.

Though Lazar is a first-time candidate for office, he is a veteran of city and state government. He was one of the early members of Community Board 12 (appointed in 1972 by then City Councilman Howard Golden), and chair of CB 12’s budget committee. He has also served as NYC Regional Director of the NYS Office of Mental Health and Budget Director for the NYC Department of Buildings. In these various important economic positions, Lazar successfully brought hundreds of millions of dollars of funding into his community.

(Press Release From Lazar Campaign)

The following unedited article appears on “City Hall News“. (Link below)

To all outside appearances, Assembly Member Dov Hikind had been something of a mench for his former chief of staff, David Greenfield.

When Greenfield had gone to Albany to lobby elected officials, he had lunched in Hikind’s office. A couple years ago, Hikind’s political club, the United New York Democrats, held an event honoring Greenfield for his community service.

And only a few months ago, when the bris of Greenfield’s second son fell on a Jewish holiday, the conservative Orthodox Hikind walked miles to Greenfield’s synagogue for the ceremony.

Yet when Council Member Simcha Felder announced his resignation in early January to take a job in Comptroller John Liu’s office, Hikind, a longtime powerbroker in Boro Park’s Orthodox Jewish community, made clear he was adamantly opposed to Greenfield winning the special election to replace Felder.

“That’s the goal of everybody, to be united [against Greenfield],” Hikind said at the time.

Hikind maneuvered behind the scenes to ensure only a single candidate from Boro Park would run against Greenfield, since Greenfield is seen as the strongest candidate in the district’s other neighborhoods, Bensonhurt and Midwood.

In the end, Hikind succeeded, with Judge Noach Dear taking a pass on the race, leaving Hikind’s longtime friend Joe Lazar running as the sole Boro Park candidate.

In an interview, Hikind refused to discuss why he and others in Boro Park’s political establishment are so entrenched in their opposition to Greenfield.

Greenfield, meanwhile, chalks up their issues to generational and stylistic differences, and bashed Hikind’s efforts to consolidate the opposition against him.

“This is the exact type of backroom, smoke-filled-room politics that I’m running against,” Greenfield said.

Those close to Hikind and Greenfield believe the tension is more political than personal. Each camp cites the same basic facts, each running it through their own interpretations of what is good and what is bad.

In 2004, two years after the end of his brief tenure working for Hikind, Greenfield was tapped to run the newly formed Sephardic Community Federation, and helped turn the south Brooklyn Jewish community

into a political force. These connections also helped Greenfield develop a base of support separate from Hikind that helped him raise $177,000. Lazar, meanwhile, has relied on Hikind to line up fundraising and endorsements.

One political insider in the Jewish community who has spoken with Greenfield about the relationship believes the main source of the tension is that Hikind was not asked to play kingmaker by Greenfield.

“David didn’t go and ask for Dov’s blessing,” said the insider, noting that Hikind himself was once considering running for the Council seat.

Another factor in the split with Hikind appears to be the new—and by many accounts effective—style of lobbying that Greenfield has brought to local Jewish politics. Greenfield’s aggressive tactics and novel style of coalition-building, however, have rubbed some in the Boro Park political establishment the wrong way.

“When you’re Eliot Spitzer trying to steamroll everyone, that’s one thing—and even that didn’t work for Eliot Spitzer,” said one political insider in Boro Park. “When you’re just some young guy, that’s a totally different thing.”

In 2006, Greenfield formed a coalition of leaders across the religious spectrum called Teach NYS and launched an aggressive lobbying and mail campaign on behalf of a proposal put forth by Gov. George Pataki to give privateschool parents a $500 yearly tuition tax credit. For many parents who send their children to religious schools, the rising cost of tuition in recent years has proven crippling.

But the coalition faced strong opposition from Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and his close ally, the New York State United Teachers, which balked at sending public money to private school parents. During the budget battle, Greenfield shook the Jewish political establishment when Teach NYS targeted the powerful speaker himself, sending mailers to Silver’s Lower Manhattan Assembly district questioning his stance on the tax credit issue.

Greenfield’s aggressive tactics, which mirrored those used by unions, were a departure from the methods used by powerful Jewish social organizations such as Agudath Israel, which instead has relied on building a close relationship with Silver, who is Jewish Orthodox, to get funding. Greenfield’s methods appear to have irked some within the organization.

As a non-profit, Agudath Israel itself cannot endorse in the race, but several key members of its leadership are on board with Lazar’s campaign. Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz, Agudah Israel’s chief Albany lobbyist and a competitor of Greenfield’s, has been assisting Lazar. And George Weinberger, chairman of the board of trustees of Agudath Israel, held a major fundraiser at his house for him.

Lefkowitz declined to comment on the organization’s relationship with Greenfield.

But although he has made some enemies, Greenfield’s approach also brought results. Although Teach NYS did not achieve all of its aims, it did win an unprecedented $330-per-child yearly tax credit at an annual cost to the state of $600 million.

And Greenfield’s efforts also won a number of supporters for his Council race, including the endorsements of Kings County Democratic Party leader Vito Lopez and State Sens. Marty Golden and Carl Kruger.

“David is a young, aggressive guy who has brought a fresh perspective to lobbying members—and has obviously been successful,” said Kruger. “I think some of the negative reactions to him have been because he was so aggressive. But if he wasn’t, I don’t think he would have prevailed.”

So far, most of Greenfield’s major endorsements in the Council district have come from outside Boro Park, and

whether he will be able to pull much of the vote in that neighborhood remains unclear. Felder, who remains popular in the district, is backing Greenfield in the race and may win him some support in the neighborhood.

The race is also seen by many as a referendum on Hikind’s influence. Traditionally, Boro Park has voted in a bloc, turned out in droves and relied heavily on guidance from Hikind, as well as religious and yeshiva leaders. But in the Council race to replace Bill de Blasio last year, Hikind’s chosen candidate, Brad Lander, took only 14 percent of the Boro Park vote, as the Hasidic community rebelled against the pro-same sex marriage, pro-choice candidate.

In recent years, political observers in the area say, much of the conservative Orthodox community has been moving to the city’s suburbs while the ultra- Orthodox Hasidic population has rapidly grown, leading to speculation that Hikind, who is conservative Orthodox, has lost some clout.

A further complication, meanwhile, could come if Seymour Lachman decides to run for the seat. The former state senator has the potential to siphon off votes from both Greenfield and Lazar’s bases.

In the end, Greenfield’s supporters are hoping voters will look at what he has achieved for religious communities in the district, noting that just last year, Teach NYS helped win $30 million of extra funding for special-needs schools in New York City, with much of that going to the Hasidic community.

Greenfield’s supporters believe his stylistic differences with much of the Boro Park political establishment will not determine the outcome of the race.

“Up until now, people in the religious community would ask for things very nicely, and, if they didn’t get them, walk away,” said Howard Beigelman, deputy director of the Orthodox Union’s Institute for Public Affairs, and a member of the Teach NYS coalition. “David has ruffled some feathers. But in this process, he made more friends than enemies.”

(Source: http://www.cityhallnews.com/)

Boro Politics reports: The upcoming special election to succeed Simcha Felder for the 44th District City Council seat is shaping up as a political version of David versus Goliath, according to Hassidic and Orthodox Jewish political pundits in Borough Park.

But in this case, the David is candidate David Greenfield and the Goliath is longtime Assemblymember Dov Hikind.

“Hikind wants to crush Greenfield and everyone knows it,” said one highly knowledgeable political source.

Ironically, Greenfield got his political start working as Hikind’s chief of staff.

“Dov has earned the respect from everyone in the community for going beyond what an ordinary assemblyman can accomplish,” said Ezra Friedlander, CEO of the Friedlander Group, a leading government and public relations firm based in Borough Park. “But that said, this election will be closely watched for its implications not only pertaining to the actual candidates but to Dov Hikind, who is universally regarded for time immemorial as the tone setter of how the community should exercise its vote,”

At press time, the special election race looks to be a two-man contest between Greenfield and longtime civil servant Joe Lazar. Former State Sen. Seymour Lachman is also considering throwing his hat in the ring.

Lazar recently received Hikind’s blessing after the assembly member struck a deal with Borough Park’s Hasidic community, according to sources.

Hikind originally wanted former City Councilmember and current Civil Court Judge Noach Dear to run against Greenfield, but met with resistance from the Hasidic community, who were considering putting up their own candidate.

Hikind, who has been in office 28 years, refused comment on the race through his office.

Dear could not be reached for comment, but political observers feel that Dear will not run at the risk of losing his judgeship.

Sources said the Hasidic community felt Hikind turned his back on them by supporting pro-choice and pro-gay marriage candidate Brad Lander in his recent and successful run for the 39th City Council district, which also covers a small portion of Borough Park. That community backed conservative Democrat John Heyer, and Heyer wound up winning the Borough Park portion of the district, 1,245 to 219 or roughly 6-to-1 vote.

“There was a certain expectation that the community should not back a different candidate then Dov, but no one anticipated John Heyer galvanizing the Hasidic community the way he did,” said one source, adding that Hikind decided to go with Lazar so as not to impose his will on the Hasidic community the way he attempted to do with Lander.

“This is an indirect referendum on Dov Hikind, no question about it,” said another source. “If Greenfield wins, the era of Dov Hikind as the supreme ruler of Borough Park and the community is over.”

Yet, while a Greenfield victory would hurt Hikind’s role in the area as kingmaker, he still remains hugely popular in Borough Park. Hikind knows how to work with people and his assembly seat would not be in jeopardy, sources said.

(Source: http://www.boropolitics.com/stories/2/3/02_03_44_hikind.html)

Lately there has been much discussion about Racial/Religious profiling.  Some people like to make it sound a tad more politically correct, but, it is what it is.  In light of the attempted attack on the Northwest flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, it sparked the conversation anew. There is even a bill that NYS Assemblyman Dov Hikind wants to introduce to the state assembly calling for racial profiling. This is not only wrong, but also insensitive! While we are facing a faceless enemy who will try to do anything to destroy us, we have to, in some way, rely on our security system. If someone buys a one way ticket to America and pays cash, that should ring a lot more bells than the fact that his name is Muhammed. How many times were swastikas painted on our shuls or schools? How will profiling help them if chalilah, Neo-Nazis try to do something on a plane, bus or train?? All recent terror attacks were on the radar screens of the Intelligence communities. They have failed us miserably and we have to hold them accountable. To try and introduce legislation like racial profiling is not only not smart, but we let the people that supposedly take care of our security off the hook. Pregnant ladies, donkeys, children, and ambulances were used to perpetrate terror attacks. Profiling isn’t going to help.

What we saw yesterday on flight # 3079 highlights this point. A young 17 year old boy became scarred for the rest of life. What did he do?? He exercised his first amendment right, and because a flight attendant religiously profiled, look at what happened? He will now have this hanging over his head for the rest of his life!! Even if we put this aside for a minute, think about the tremendous Chillul Hashem that this caused. Is it worth it? Where is the outrage? If we do practice religious profiling, these sorts of incidents will get out of hand and will create a huge Chillul Hashem; and I can’t even imagine the travel delays this will cause on a daily basis.

We should take a closer look at behavior profiling. El-Al in Israel is the first thing that comes to mind. In a recent interview with CNN, Isaac Yeffet, the former security chief, said this about airline security, “It’s mandatory that every passenger — I don’t care his religion or whatever he is — every passenger has to be interviewed by security people who are qualified and well-trained, and are being tested all year long. I trained my guys and educated them, that every flight, for them, is the first flight. That every passenger is the first passenger. The fact that you had [safe flights] yesterday and last month means nothing. We are looking for the one who is coming to blow up our aircraft. If you do not look at each passenger, something is wrong with your system.” If they had a journalist posing as a passenger, slip through with contraband, they would be immediately fired and not given a two week suspension and the right to sue for their job back! I remember flying in and out of Israel, while being approached by security agents peppering me with all sorts of random questions. They didn’t care which yeshiva I learned in or what Parsha it was that week. They were simply engaging me in conversation to try to get a read on me. I must say they are B”H pretty successful. I think it safe to say that El-AL and Israel are the most targeted by terrorist. They practice behavior profiling and not religious profiling. They are the ones that have a proven track record! It is very simple and easy to provide a crutch for our security system to rely on. But it is only short term.  It won’t work long term. For the sake of our safety, liberty, and freedom, let’s look and try to adopt a proven method.

NOTE: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of YWN.

(David Lobl – YWN / Can be reached at dlresponse@gmail.com)

New York City Council candidate David G. Greenfield today announced that he has received the unanimous backing of the Brooklyn Conservative Party’s Executive Committee.  Greenfield, an experienced attorney and acclaimed community advocate, is running in the 44th Council District to replace Councilman Simcha Felder, who is vacating his seat to become a Deputy Comptroller in the New York City Comptroller’s office.  The 44th Council District includes the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Boro Park, Midwood and Bensonhurst.

“David Greenfield’s fiscally conservative approach to government, strong family values, and deep-seated moral and ethical fortitude make him the best candidate to replace Simcha Felder in the City Council,” said Brooklyn Conservative Party Chairman Jerry Kassar.  “David’s strong record of service and his proven dedication to the issues facing the Southern Brooklyn community over the years has rightfully earned him the respect of both the public and elected officials alike.  We will be extremely fortunate to have him serving as our voice in City Hall.”

“I am especially grateful to have received the unanimous support of the Brooklyn Conservative Party,” Greenfield said. “Their support of my candidacy is proof that this race transcends traditional partisan politics, and is instead about the quality of life issues that affect Brooklyn families. It’s simple, really, everyone agrees that we need to make New York more affordable.”

Greenfield has received widespread support from prominent members of every ethnic community in the diverse 44th Council District, including the Catholic, Ashkenaz, Sephardic, and Hasidic communities.  He has committed to continue working towards relief for tuition-paying parents and securing additional funding for private and public schools.  In addition, Greenfield’s top priorities include creating jobs, enhancing services for seniors, improving transportation, and lowering taxes and fines.

Greenfield has been endorsed by Senator Carl Kruger, Senator Martin J. Golden, and Senator Diane J. Savino.  Together, these three senators represent nearly one-million people, and their Senate Districts include the vast majority of the district that Greenfield is vying to represent in the City Council.  In addition, Greenfield has received the endorsements of New York City Councilmen Vincent J. Gentile, Michael C. Nelson, Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., and Lewis A. Fidler, all of whom represent Southern Brooklyn.

Greenfield is a lifelong resident of Brooklyn, where he happily resides with his wife and two small children. Greenfield is the Director and Counsel of TEACH NYS, a statewide coalition that advocates on behalf of the parents of the 500,000 Catholic, Jewish, and Independent school children in New York State.  In addition, as the executive vice president of the Sephardic Community Federation (SCF), which is the umbrella governmental relations and public policy organization of the Sephardic Jewish community, Greenfield works closely with public officials at every level of government to improve the lives of New Yorkers.

Before joining SCF, Greenfield served as Deputy Director of Finance in Senator Joseph Lieberman’s 2004 presidential campaign. Prior to that, he was Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Dov Hikind.

(YWN Desk – NYC)

Brooklyn, NY – On Monday, January 18, 2010, in an unprecedented show of unity, a rapidly growing coalition of community leaders pledged their support to Joe Lazar’s bid for the City Council seat being vacated by Simcha Felder.

“Joe Lazar is a special person who not only cares about our community, but has the expertise to spot openings in government budgets and to design programs to fit them, to help the members our community,” said Assemblyman Dov Hikind. Joe has found funding in creative ways for dozens of institution and programs in our community.” It is only fitting, and I am proud that my community showed Achdus (Hebrew for unity), on Joe’s behalf for the good of the whole community.

“We need to elect Joe Lazar to the City Council in this time of great change and economic uncertainty; to ensure our community continues to get the government programs and services it needs to grow in economic times like these when government budgets are being cut, said Moshe Wieder, a spokesperson for the community leaders.

“As long as I am privileged to be in a position to help, I feel the need to serve my community,” said Joe Lazar.  “I believe in governing by family values and traditions, which means protecting senior citizens, using government resources for public safety, health care needs, affordable housing and helping parents pay for the high costs of education.”

“Joe Lazar was responsible for condemning unsafe drug infested buildings so we could build new homes for families in our community,” Said Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz. “Joe will make it possible for our children, to be able to raise their families in our community.”

“Joe Lazar is known for his selflessness, especially when it comes to helping others with healthcare needs in our community, said community leader Mrs. Miriam Lubling. “Joe has helped me help many individuals who needed medical care.  He has assisted many of our communal organizations to obtain government services, benefits and programs.”

“Joe Lazar understands the needs and concerns of the small businessman in our community,” Said Arnold Klapper owner, Clear View Opticians.  “He has helped many of us fix problems that we have had with city and state governments. I support him because he is already doing the job of our City Councilman.”

Joe Lazar, who has lived in Boro Park and Midwood since 1961, has served this community in many capacities, including his appointment as one of the early members of Community Board 12 (appointed in 1972 by then City Councilman Howard Golden), and served as the chair of the budget committee.

Joe Lazar, a veteran of city and state government and community service for many years, serving as the NYC Regional Director of the NYS Office of Mental Health, and Budget Director for the NYC Department of Buildings, has long since proven his unique ability to successfully navigate large bureaucracies and the legislative bodies which preside over them. It has given him a unique understanding of the inner workings of government. Joe knows how to navigate the system to bring services and funding to our community. Joe has brought hundreds of millions of dollars to the community, and is looking for the opportunity to continue to do so.

(Press Release By Joe Lazar)

[VIDEO & PHOTO LINKS BELOW] Brooklyn, NY – An emergency meeting was held this morning between the leaders of the Jewish and Haitian communities to address the emerging needs of the local Haitian community. The meeting took place at the business office of George Weinberger, chairman of board of trustees of Agudath Israel of America, in Flatbush Brooklyn. Organizing the meeting were community leaders from COJO of Flatbush, Agudath Israel of America and Assemblyman Dov Hikind.

Participants included Congresswoman Yvette Clark, Councilman Mathieu Eugene and Councilman Jumaane Williams, who represent the largest Haitian community outside of Florida and Haiti in Brooklyn New York. Also represented was the office of State Senator John Sampson, Senator Kevin Parker and representatives from Councilman Brad Lander’s office. Other participating Jewish organizations included the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council represented by Rabbi Chanina Sperlin and the Jewish Community Council of Boro-Park represented by Rabbi Yechiel Kaufman and leaders from Agudath Israel of America including members of the board of Trustees Shloime Werdiger, Elly Kleinman and Chaskel Bennett.

“We are not international organizations, with means to do things on an international level”, said Leon Goldenberg board member of COJO of Flatbush and Agudath Israel Trustee, “we are local organizations deeply involved in the social service needs of the local Jewish community, who care about our Haitian neighbors too. Upon hearing of the devastation in Haiti, our network of organizations began encouraging their constituents to donate to the reputable international relief organizations.”

“This meeting is also about a neighbor-to-neighbor effort, trying to find out what we can do to help alleviate the local anxiety”, Said Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz Agudath Israel of America’s Vice President of community services. “By Wednesday afternoon we had already alerted thousands of our members with the relevant donation information. Today, we are taking this to a new level”.

As word of the meeting got out, members of the Jewish leadership came forward and upon request, donated 10 computers to help the local Haitian community leaders and their constituents find love ones on the governors announced website https://haiti.nyalert.gov/ and for other needs.

Hamodia – the largest Orthodox Jewish daily and weekly newspaper in the US, pledged to run free solicitation ads encouraging their readers to donate to reputable international organizations. “We are covering the story extensively and now we will also get our readers involved by helping” said Yonosson Moller, business manager of Hamodia Newspaper. “Having a call-for-action in the name of Jewish leaders gathering today will have a great impact on our readers”.

“Today we gather as a cross section of our community to show by action that we share in the pain of our Haitian friends and are ready willing and  able to respond”, Said Assemblyman Dov Hikind one of the organizers.

“We all see the swift and expert work of Israeli Doctors and rescue teams on the ground almost immediately following the 7.0 earthquake,” said Congresswoman Yvette Clark. “The Jewish response to the pain of others is legendary and today’s gathering is a continuation of the special heart the Jewish community always shows in times of crisis.”

“We deeply appreciate the friendship and care of the Jewish community represented here today. We are urging the community at large to donate to the recognized international relief organizations who are on the ground in Haiti”, Said Councilman Mathieu Eugene and echoed by newly elected Councilman Jumaane Williams.

YWN VIDEO LINK: Click on the following link for video. http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/video_viewer.php?clip=bcgG6sRaLSc&player=y

YWN PHOTO LINK: Click on the following link for photos. http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/photos.php?albumid=5427788637232339425

(Dov Gordon – YWN)

[PHOTO LINK BELOW] The race to fill Councilman Simcha Felder’s council seat is heating up. Just last night, at the inaugural event for Hikind-backed Councilman Brad Lander, Assemblyman Dov Hikind backed Joe Lazar for City Council. Sources say that despite Hikind’s best efforts to force Judge Noach Dear into the race for City Council, Judge Dear is reluctant to give up his prestigious judgeship for what many view as a messy council race.

Previously, Hikind has stated that all of Boro Park would be united against David Greenfield, the Director & Counsel of TEACH NYS, and leading contender for City Council. Crains News explained this morning that Hikind’s opposition to Greenfield is because Greenfield “irked Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver by urging Silver’s constituents to demand a tax credit for parochial school parents.”

Apparently, Hikinds plan to unite Boro Park against Greenfield has failed. Sources say that at last night’s event several Boro Park leaders pledged their support to Greenfield. Also, there is still talk of a possible chasidic candidate in the form of either lobbyist Ezra Friedlander or cell-phone store owner Pinny Ringel. Finally, according to Crains, local Boro-Parker Moishe Oiring is said to be mulling a campaign that would be funded by his parents.

Keep your browser set to The Yeshiva World News for all the latest on this exciting race for city council. The special election is anticipated to be on Tuesday, March 23rd.

YWN PHOTO LINK: Click on the following link to see photos taken by Hillel Engel for YWN: http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/photos.php?albumid=5426975646379436305

(Dov Gordon – YWN)

New York City Council candidate David G. Greenfield today was endorsed by New York City Councilmen Vincent J. Gentile, Michael C. Nelson, Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., and Lewis A. Fidler, all of whom represent Southern Brooklyn. Greenfield, an experienced attorney and acclaimed community advocate, is running in the 44th Council District to replace Councilman Simcha Felder, who is vacating his seat to become a Deputy Comptroller in the New York City Comptroller’s office. The 44th Council District includes the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Boro Park, Midwood and Bensonhurst.

Greenfield has already been endorsed by Senator Carl Kruger, Senator Martin J. Golden, and Senator Diane J. Savino. Together, these three senators represent nearly one-million people, and their Senate Districts include the vast majority of the district that Greenfield is vying to represent in the City Council.

“As long as I have known David Greenfield, he has had ‘can-do’ attitude,” said Councilman Gentile. “He will take that approach as a city councilman and will do a great job for the district that he represents and the entire city of New York.”

“David Greenfield is a tireless fighter for the community,” said Councilman Nelson. “He possesses extraordinary character and ethics and I am proud to support him for the City Council.”

“It’s rare to see such passion for public service in a person, but I see that in David Greenfield, and that’s why he’s my candidate for City Council,” said Councilman Recchia. “David has a record of delivering for the community, and I believe he would be a major addition to both the City Council and the entire district, from Midwood to Bensonhurst to Boro Park.”

“David Greenfield is a community advocate of the highest order,” said Councilman Fidler. “His knowledge of real-world politics and public-policy is a one-two punch that will make him an extraordinary member of the New York City Council.”

“I have had the privilege of working together with Councilmen Gentile, Nelson, Recchia, and Fidler for many years on a myriad of issues facing the community, and they have always been there to stand up for the residents of Southern Brooklyn,” said Greenfield. “I look forward to continue working collaboratively with them in the City Council to improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers.”

Greenfield has received widespread support from prominent members of every ethnic community in the diverse 44th Council District, including the Catholic, Ashkenaz, Sephardic, and Hasidic communities. He has committed to continue working towards relief for tuition-paying parents and securing additional funding for private and public schools. In addition, Greenfield’s top priorities include creating jobs, enhancing services for seniors, improving transportation, and lowering taxes and fines.

Greenfield is a lifelong resident of Brooklyn, where he happily resides with his wife and two small children. Greenfield is the Director and Counsel of TEACH NYS, a statewide coalition that advocates on behalf of the parents of the 500,000 Catholic, Jewish, and Independent school children in New York State. In addition, as the executive vice president of the Sephardic Community Federation (SCF), which is the umbrella governmental relations and public policy organization of the Sephardic Jewish community, Greenfield works closely with public officials at every level of government to improve the lives of New Yorkers.

Before joining SCF, Greenfield served as Deputy Director of Finance in Senator Joseph Lieberman’s 2004 presidential campaign. Prior to that, he was Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Dov Hikind.

(YWN Desk – NYC)

The following is an article appearing in YourNabe.com:

Add Ezra Friedlander’s name to the mix of possible candidates to succeed Simcha Felder in the City Council from the 44th District.

Felder’s sudden resignation last week to become assistant comptroller under newly elected Comptroller John Liu has the district including Borough Park, Bensonhurst and Midwood reeling.

Felder will officially step down Jan. 31, and Mayor Bloomberg is then expected to call the special election in mid-March.

“I am considering running and will make my decision before the end of January,” said Friedlander, the CEO of the Friedlander Group, a public relations organization that specializes in government affairs.

Friedlander said he has been approached by longtime community members that would like to see a home-grown Borough Park candidate who would represent the interests of the entire district.

“History would be made if I was elected as the first Hasidic candidate,” said Friedlander, whose grandfather came to Borough Park in 1947 and established one of the first Hasidic congregations in the neighborhood.

Friedlander said he has been assured by several supporters that he would be able to raise the maximum amount of money allowed by the city Campaign Finance Board to spend on the race.

That amount is $161,000 including $88,500 in city matching funds.

Either way, Assemblymember Dov Hikind is reportedly leading the charge, along with some members of Agudath Israel, in a an anybody-but-David Greenfield campaign.

Among the people that Hikind is pushing to run is either longtime civic activist Joe Lazar or former City Council member and current Civil Court Judge Noach Dear. However, Hikind reportedly doesn’t want both to run because that would help Greenfield.

Greenfield, who used to work for Hikind, is said by sources to be a reformer in the tight-knit Orthodox Jewish community.

Dear, for instance, has had several ethical lapses, including one where he agreed to repay more than $37,000 to a private foundation under a civil settlement announced by Robert Abrams, then New York Attorney General, after it was found he used the foundation’s money to pay for expenses for his wife and kids.

Sources say that Dear, who as a judge cannot talk about his running, is strongly considering stepping down to run, but wants a clear path to victory.

However, if he loses, sources said that several district leaders will not support a Dear run to get his judgeship back in September.

Meanwhile, Lazsar said he has every intention of running, but won’t announce formally until Felder steps down.

“I have no reason to step aside for anybody. I think Noach Dear, being younger then me, should step aside and stay on the bench,” said Lazar.

Likewise, Greenfield, whose base is strongest in Midwood and Bensonhurst, said his hat is in the race.

I don’t concern myself with who will be running against me, Regardless of who runs, it will be clear that we have the best plan to deliver results to this community,” said Greenfield.

Also running is Republican Jonathan Judge.

One longtime political operative in the district said he is staying out of the race completely because it will get ugly.

It’s going to get down and dirty. Everyone is going to be digging up stuff. There will be posters being torn down and all kinds of stuff,” said the operative.

(Source: YourNabe.com)

New York City Council candidate David G. Greenfield was honored Sunday night at the Yeshiva Kehilath Yakov Pupa dinner, which took place at Ateres Avraham in Williamsburg. Greenfield, who received the “Ish Haklal Community Leadership Award,” addressed the crowd of nearly 1,000 and spoke about the need to work together on behalf of the community.

Greenfield is running in the 44th Council District to replace Councilman Simcha Felder, who is vacating his seat to become a Deputy Comptroller in the New York City Comptroller’s office. The 44th Council District includes the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Boro Park, Midwood and Bensonhurst.

After wishing Mazel Tov to Reb Aron Oberlander and Reb Kalmen Fisher, who were also honored at the dinner, Greenfield discussed his experience as a community advocate and the challenges that the community faces on a daily basis.

“I don’t sleep much at night…I am worried that too many people in our community are struggling to make ends meet.” Greenfield said. “I am worried that too many families in our tzibbur don’t have enough money to make a nice Shabbos. I am worried that too many people in our community are in danger of losing their home to foreclosure. I am worried that too many families in our tzibur don’t have enough money to pay for schar limiud – tuition. I am worried about all the difficult problems that our community is facing.”

Greenfield told the crowd about his efforts to address the tuition crisis that has affected families throughout the frum community through his leadership of the umbrella group TEACH NYS. He spoke proudly about the $600 million annual tax credit for school-age children that he helped secure, which translates to nearly $2,000 each year for the average yeshiva family. Greenfield talked about the millions of new dollars that were secured from New York State for mandated services, as well as the millions of dollars in new funding for services to New York City yeshiva students that he helped secure. He also noted that thousands of yeshiva children in New York City are now receiving free tutoring services from the federal government.

In addition to the challenges facing yeshivas and tuition-paying parents, Greenfield also addressed a number of other pressing issues facing the community.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that the needs of our community are addressed. We have a responsibility to focus on the issues that affect our community as a whole. We need to create new jobs in our community. We need to make sure that the vital social services programs that are important to so many families in our community are not cut. We need to build affordable housing developments so that families have a place to live. And we need to do all this, together, as a community.”

Greenfield closed out his remarks with a call to action to those assembled and urged people to join together to help the community.

“By working together and focusing on what is important, we can help our community regain its footing and improve the quality of life and the financial situation for our families. Together, we can solve the problems facing our community. Together, we can help our community withstand the downturn in the economy that has touched every corner of our community. Together, we can solve the many problems our community faces.

Hashem should help so that we can continue to work together on behalf of the klal and we should come to the point where we no longer have to worry about the klal, and then and only then, can we can all get a good night’s sleep.”

Greenfield, a lifelong resident of Brooklyn, is an experienced attorney and acclaimed community advocate and the Director & Counsel of TEACH NYS. He is also the executive vice president of the Sephardic Community Federation (SCF), the umbrella governmental relations and public policy organization of the Sephardic Jewish community. In that role, Greenfield works closely with public officials at every level of government to improve the lives of New Yorkers.

Before joining SCF, Greenfield served as deputy director of finance in Senator Joseph Lieberman’s 2004 presidential campaign. Prior to that, he was chief of staff to Assemblyman Dov Hikind.

(Dov Gordon – YWN)

First-time New York City Council candidate David G. Greenfield today was endorsed by Senator Carl Kruger, Senator Martin J. Golden, and Senator Diane J. Savino. Greenfield is running in the 44th Council District to replace Councilman Simcha Felder, who is vacating his seat to become a Deputy Comptroller in the New York City Comptroller’s office.  The 44th Council District includes the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Boro Park, Midwood and Bensonhurst.

Together, these three senators represent nearly one-million people, and their Senate Districts include the vast majority of the district that Greenfield is vying to represent in the City Council.

“David Greenfield is a fighter for education and for all the people of our communities,” said Senator Kruger. ”He knows how to successfully cut through red tape to achieve results.  In the tradition of Councilman Simcha Felder, I know he will bring a steadfast dedication and vision to the job of City Councilman. I need him in the City Council. So do you.”

“David Greenfield has proven to be a leader for education innovation in our state,” said Senator Golden.  “His vision and energy will be a welcome addition to the City Council.”
 
“David has a proven track record of delivering for our community, whether it be his work as an attorney or community activist,” said Senator Savino.  “I believe that with his record and his passion he is the best qualified person to represent the 44th Council District.  I look forward to his campaign and to working with him as my colleague in government.”
 
“I am very grateful to receive the bi-partisan support of Senators Kruger, Golden, and Savino,” said Greenfield.  “They are all well-respected and dedicated public servants, and to have their support is humbling.  I am looking forward to working with each of them to address the local issues and specific needs of the residents of the 44th Council District.”

Greenfield has received widespread support from prominent members of every ethnic community in the diverse 44th Council District, including the Ashkenaz, Sephardic, Hasidic, & Catholic communities. He has committed to continue working towards relief for tuition-paying parents and securing additional funding for private and public schools.  In addition, Greenfield’s top priorities include creating jobs, enhancing services for seniors, and improving transportation.

Greenfield, a lifelong resident of Brooklyn, is an experienced attorney and acclaimed community advocate.  As the executive vice president of the Sephardic Community Federation (SCF), the umbrella governmental relations and public policy organization of the Sephardic Jewish community, Greenfield works closely with public officials at every level of government to improve the lives of New Yorkers.

Before joining SCF, Greenfield served as deputy director of finance in Senator Joseph Lieberman’s 2004 presidential campaign. Prior to that, he was chief of staff to Assemblyman Dov Hikind.

(YWN Desk – NYC)

The following are excerpts of an article by Chris Bragg of City Hall News:

Assembly Member Dov Hikind, an influential powerbroker in the Jewish Orthodox community of Boro Park, is seeking to use his influence to narrow the field of candidates who are planning to run in the special election to fill Simcha Felders seat.

Hikind said he is trying to dissuade either Joe Lazar, a longtime local government official, or former Council Member Noach Dear, a Brooklyn Civil Court judge, from running because he fears they could split the Boro Park vote, and hand the election to David Greenfield.

“That’s the goal of everybody, to be united [against Greenfield],” Hikind said.

Greenfield has already declared that he will run for Felder’s seat. If multiple Boro Park candidates run against Greenfield, this would give Greenfield a leg up in the special election, Hikind said.

Greenfield served as Hikind’s chief of staff from 2001-2004. But political insiders say Greenfield is more independent of the Boro Park political establishment than other potential candidates in the race and represents a threat to Hikind’s influence.

Hikind declined to comment on the reasons why he opposes Greenfield.

Thursday morning, Hikind is expected hold a meeting with Lazar where the two will discuss whether Lazar will stay in the race, Lazar confirmed.

“I’m meeting with Dov, and I really need to talk with Noach as well to see what’s going on,” said Lazar. “It is my intention to run, but I need to see what’s going on.”

Several political insiders in the neighborhood said they expected Hikind to ask Lazar to drop out of the race.

Dear, meanwhile, is a near-lock to run for the seat whether Hikind wants him to run or not, said several neighborhood insiders. Dear also would likely be a more viable candidate than Lazar, given his two decades of building name recognition as a Council member in the 80’s and 90’s, they said.

Hikind, however, said he had no intention of asking Lazar to step aside at the meeting, and said that his goal is simply to get a single candidate running against Greenfield – whether Lazar or Dear.

Meanwhile, it struck some Greenfield supporters as odd that Hikind would go to such lengths to thwart Greenfield’s political ambitions.

“That’s fascinating,” said Council Member Lew Fidler. “David used to be [Hikind's] chief-of-staff, so I don’t know what category to put that in.”

Though Greenfield does not have Hikind’s support, he is not lacking for endorsements. He has already privately lined up the support of Kings County Democratic Party Leader Vito Lopez, State Sens. Carl Kruger and Marty Golden and Council Members Domenic Recchia, a source close to the Greenfield campaign said.

Greenfield said that he was not concerned about who would be running against him and that he is planning on making Hikind’s brand of old-school politics a talking point in the campaign.

“This is the exact type of backroom, smoke-filled room politics that I’m running against,” Greenfield said. “This backroom deal-making is not going to select the City Council candidate.”

COMPLETE ARTICLE AT CITYHALLNEWS.COM

Albany - On December 31, key leaders and administrators of major yeshivas in New York State met for almost two hours with New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind at his office to plan for the coming year in Albany.

The first priority of the group, according to Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz, Agudath Israel of America’s vice president for community affairs, who was present at the meeting, was making sure that the 2010-11 state budget includes items that have been funded for many past years – like CAP and Mandated Services. The cut in the rate for after-school vouchers was discussed as well, as was the commuter tax, the cut in the Metrocards to students, transportation issues, Title I and other topics.

Assemblyman Hikind’s district, Rabbi Lefkowitz notes, encompasses a large number of citizens whose highest priority is their children’s education. And, the Agudath Israel representative adds, “Dov has shown his commitment over the years as an advocate for non-public schools, insisting that they receive the fair share of government support to which they are entitled.”

Agudath Israel executive vice president Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel was also in attendance at the meeting. The yeshiva representatives present were: Rabbi Heshie Dembitzer (Bobov), Rabbi Zalman Gombo (Pupa), Rabbi Yitzchok Gottdeiner (Yeshiva Torah Vodaath), Rabbi Shia Hecht (Belz), Rabbi Naftali Klagsbrun (Satmar),Rabbi Aron Langsam (Belz), Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz, Rabbi Yeruchem Shapiro (Bais Yaakov of Boro Park) and Rabbi Meir Weinberger, Yeshiva Chasan Sofer).

(YWN Desk – NYC)

NYS Assemblyman Dov Hikind is seeking drastic measures to combat terror, resurrecting a measure he’s tried to introduce before: ethnic profiling – a bill that would make ethnic profiling an acceptable, legal tool for catching terrorists.

“This is the time we need to do the kind of things that we would not do under ordinary circumstances,” Hikind said. “It is to use ethnicity as one, and it’s very clear, as one of the many different things that law enforcement can use.”

Hikind proposed the same thing in 2005 and it never even got to the Assembly floor. In the wake of Friday’s terror scare ,he thinks it could become the law of New York State and eventually the nation.

“Let law enforcement do what it feels is necessary without tying their hands,” Hikind said.

Hikind says he plans to reintroduce the profiling bill when the legislative session reconvenes in Albany in January.

Some advocates of ethnic and racial profiling say it is being used in Israel and reportedly on El-Al Airlines and seems to be effective.

(Source: CBS2 HD)

We at Yeshiva World News have spent the last 36 hours interviewing over a dozen key activist rabbonim, askanim and community leaders. Our question to these “machers” was simple: – which politicians that represent our community are our friends and which are our foes on same-gender marriage? The answers that we received may surprise you.

Friends:
1. Carl Kruger (represents the frum areas of: Midwood, Madison, Sheepshead Bay) – the powerful chairman of the Senate finance committee was the only Democratic Senator from Brooklyn to vote against same-gender marriage. This is not a surprise. Kruger has been a long-time supporter of our community. He even hired a frum yeshiva graduate as his top aide – Jason Koppel.

2. Marty Golden (represents the frum areas of : Midwood, Gravesend, Marine Park) – the Republican Senator not only voted against same-gender marriage, he “whipped” votes by pressuring his fellow Republicans to do the same. Thanks to Marty all the Republican Senators voted against same-gender marriage.

Foes:
3. Shelly Silver (represents the frum areas of: the Lower East Side of Manhattan) – the Speaker of the Assembly, who is an Orthodox Jew, is the number one supporter of same-gender marriage in New York. Not only did he – in his role as speaker – bring it for a vote in the Assembly, he personally voted for the legislation. This is despite the fact that every Jewish organization honors him each and every year for his “leadership.”

4. Kevin Parker (represents the frum areas of: Boro Park, Kensington) – if you sat at home at didn’t vote for Simcha Felder for Senate last year, you have only yourself to blame. Senator Parker is one of the most passionate supporters of same-gender marriage despite representing half of Boro Park. Don’t worry – we might get rid of him yet. He’s facing criminal charges for assault and if convicted will be booted from the Senate.

5. Diane Savino (represents the frum areas of: Boro Park) – this Senator spoke on the Senate floor about “making history” for same-gender marriage and about how the “struggle will continue.” She condescendingly insisted that despite this new toeiva law, “religious institutions can continue to practice discrimination with respect to the sacrament of marriage.” This from the woman who represents the most religious Jewish community in America!

6. Dan Squadron (represents the frum areas of: Williamsburg) – The “Aroni” sect of Satmar went all out to elect this guy to Senate last year. How does he repay their favor? Not only does he vote for same-gender marriage, he says on the floor of the senate that voting for same-gender marriage “protects our religion.” Really, Dan? Same-gender marriage will protect our religion?

7. Malcolm Smith (represents the frum areas of Far Rockaway and Queens) – the President of the Senate has fallen far from grace. He promised that the Senate would not bring the same-gender marriage vote to the floor. Malcolm broke his promise by not only bringing the vote to the floor but by voting in favor of same-gender marriage.

8. Toby Stavitsky (represents the frum areas of: Kew Garden Hills & Queens) – this elderly state-woman of politics bucked the majority of her community when she voted for same-gender marriage. Insiders wonder whether the possibility that her son is a paid lobbyist for some who support same-gender marriage had something to do with her vote.

9. Eric Adams (represents the frum areas of Boro Park & Crown Heights) – the Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee shows up each year around Pesach time and holds a meeting with police officials and “askanim,” ostensibly about our physical safety. But what about our spiritual safety, Eric? Of that, the Senator cares not. He was shaking on the Senate floor when he compared the lack of same-gender marriage to slavery! “We have to lead the country to the right place,” by passing same-gender marriage, he exclaimed! Ironically, insiders believe that the reason he cozies up to the Jewish community every Pesach is because he wants to be Mayor of New York City one day. Can you imagine?

Not helping:
10. Dov Hikind – (represents the frum areas of Boro Park and Midwood) – we didn’t want to add the Assemblyman’s name to the list of foes, so we created a new category just for him. After all, Dov voted against same-gender marriage and even spoke out against it on the floor of the Assembly. However, according to no less than five of our insiders, his actions speak louder than his words. The fact that last year Dov supported Kevin Parker (pro-same gender marriage) over Simcha Felder (against same-gender marriage) for Senate and this year supported Brad Lander (pro-same gender marriage) over John Heyer (against same-gender marriage) for City Council is proof to these insiders that he really doesn’t care about stopping this legislation. After all, while Agudas Yisroel and every other major Jewish organization were fighting the same-gender marriage legislation over the last few weeks – where was Dov? In Israel, planting olive trees!!! Unless that’s a new segulah for fighting bad legislation, he should have been in Albany instead.

Compiled by: Yehuda Drudgestein – YWN.

New York State legislators approved a plan on Wednesday to close the state’s budget deficit, drawing high praise from Agudath Israel of America for the plan’s rejection of cuts to education, including a proposed approximately $11 million  cut to the state’s nonpublic schools.

Had that proposed cut been enacted, yeshivos and day schools across the state would have suffered a loss of approximately $3 million.  Now, though, with today’s vote in Albany, the funding will remain intact.

Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz, the organization’s vice president for community services, had warm words of thanks for the state legislature, and singled out Democratic Conference Leader John L. Sampson, who opposed cuts to education from the start and particularly objected to disproportionate cuts to nonpublic schools.

The Agudath Israel representative also lauded “the thousands in the community who responded to our legislative action alerts and contacted legislators about their concerns for nonpublic education funding in these trying financial times.”

Rabbi Lefkowitz also praised New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver for his efforts to protect education from budget cuts.

Among the State Senators Rabbi Lefkowitz singled out by name for the Orthodox Jewish community’s gratitude were Democrat Conference Leader John Sampson and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver for their leadership. In addition, we thank Senators Carl Kruger, Diane Savino, Jeff Klein, Dean Skelos, Marty Golden, Malcolm Smith, Assembly members Dov Hikind, Helene Weinstein, Rhoda Jacobs, Audery Pheffer, Alan Maisel and Michael Cusick.

(YWN Desk – NYC)