NYC Jewish Leaders Rally Around Andrew Cuomo Amid Eric Adams’ Legal Troubles

NYC Jewish Leaders Rally Around Andrew Cuomo Amid Eric Adams’ Legal Troubles

Edited by: TJVNews.com

As New York City Mayor Eric Adams faces mounting political uncertainty following his recent indictment on corruption charges, a growing number of prominent Jewish leaders and activists are expressing their willingness to rally behind former governor Andrew Cuomo should he decide to run for mayor. In conversations with The New York Post, many members of New York’s Jewish community, both mainstream and conservative, have voiced strong support for Cuomo, citing his longstanding relationship with the Jewish community and his record on combating anti-Semitism.

“Cuomo is a moderate with a deep history with the Jewish community and a long record of fighting for issues we care about — combating anti-Semitism and strong support of Israel,” a source familiar with the discussions told The Post. With Adams’ future as mayor now in serious doubt, Jewish organizers are calling for Cuomo to step into the political arena once again, confident that he would be a strong contender.

Cuomo, who served as New York’s governor for over a decade, has a well-established rapport with the Jewish community. Throughout his time in office, Cuomo made fighting anti-Semitism a top priority, especially as incidents of hate crimes surged across New York City. The Post report indicated that his vocal support for Israel has also resonated deeply with Jewish voters, many of whom have praised him for standing firm on issues that are central to their community.

One anonymous Jewish organizer, who said he had discussed a potential mayoral run with Cuomo, echoed the sentiment that many in the community are eager for Cuomo to enter the race. “The Jewish community is very anxious for Cuomo to jump into the race. A lot of us will jump in for him,” he told The Post. Another advocate added, “Cuomo will immediately be the top candidate in the Jewish community,” highlighting the former governor’s established base of support.

As Adams grapples with charges of bribery and wire fraud, even some of his most ardent supporters have begun to question whether he can survive politically and seek re-election next year. Michael Nussbaum, the former president of the Queens Jewish Council and a current board member of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, is among those expressing skepticism about Adams’ political future. “I’m skeptical that Eric can survive and make it to next year’s election,” Nussbaum told The Post, adding that he had spoken with Cuomo recently about the unfolding situation.

Nussbaum made it clear that he would support Cuomo if he were to run, citing Cuomo’s proven leadership skills and ability to manage a complex city like New York. “We know he can manage and govern,” Nussbaum said, reflecting a growing sentiment among Jewish leaders that Cuomo represents a stable and experienced alternative to Adams.

New York City’s Jewish population, which numbers approximately 960,000 out of a total population of 8.3 million, constitutes a significant voting bloc in any citywide election. According to Jerry Skurnik, a voter data analyst who runs Engage Voters US, Jewish voters could account for 20% to 25% of the electorate in a Democratic primary, as was explained in The Post report. This sizable influence was a key factor in Adams’ success during his 2021 campaign, where his strong stance on combating anti-Semitism earned him widespread support.

However, the legal battles now facing Adams have led many in the Jewish community to question his ability to continue governing effectively. One Jewish leader bluntly told The Post that Adams “is toast” in terms of trying to win re-election. Despite his previous advocacy for Jewish causes, particularly in the wake of Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023, Adams’ political troubles appear to be eroding his support.

As the city’s political landscape shifts, many in the Jewish community are looking for a leader who can govern from the center and maintain stability in the face of significant challenges. David Pollock, a former official with the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, told The Post that “Middle-class Jews in the city are looking for someone who can govern from the center.” This sentiment aligns with the community’s broader desire for a leader who can address issues such as public safety, rising anti-Semitism, and the challenges posed by New York’s complex political environment.

Cuomo, whose political career was marred by scandal in 2021, has since kept a relatively low profile, but his recent conversations with community leaders suggest that he could be considering a return to the political stage. His deep connections to the Jewish community and his centrist approach to governance make him an appealing candidate for those disillusioned with the current administration.

While Adams’ administration is under scrutiny, key figures in the Jewish community have publicly expressed their loyalty to the mayor, even as speculation grows about Cuomo’s possible return to politics.

The Adams campaign remains confident in its support from Jewish voters, with some influential community leaders standing by the mayor despite the recent legal troubles. “I’m sticking with the mayor right now. Adams has done a yeoman’s job,” said Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, president of the Staten Island Council of Jewish Organizations. Speaking to The Post, Mirocznik emphasized that Adams deserves “due process under the law,” reaffirming the principle of innocence until proven guilty.

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis, also voiced his gratitude for Adams’ consistent backing of Jewish causes. “We are grateful for his steadfast support to the Jewish community. His loyalty did not begin when he became mayor,” Potasnik told The Post. These sentiments reflect a deep-rooted relationship between Adams and certain Jewish leaders, who acknowledge his efforts in combating rising anti-Semitism and advocating for Jewish interests throughout his tenure as mayor.

While Adams retains significant support from Jewish leaders, some activists have expressed concern over the other candidates vying for the mayoral office. These individuals are seen as too far to the left for many within the Jewish community. One such candidate is City Comptroller Brad Lander, the city’s highest-ranking Jewish elected official. Despite his background, Lander’s progressive positions have raised doubts about his appeal to more conservative and centrist Jewish voters.

According to The New York Post, Lander’s political alignment, particularly his endorsement of Rep. Jamaal Bowman—an outspoken critic of Israel—has alienated some Jewish voters. Lander, who identifies as a “progressive Zionist,” has participated in rallies critical of Israel’s military actions in Gaza following the October 7 attack by Hamas. While these views resonate with left-leaning Jewish voters, they have created distance between Lander and more mainstream members of the community. “He has a Jewish problem,” Democratic political consultant Ken Frydman remarked in an interview with The Post, noting that Lander’s support for figures like Bowman positions him out of step with a significant portion of the Jewish electorate.