By: Fern Sidman

In a significant political development ahead of New York City’s Democratic primary on June 24, the influential Bobov Chassidic community has formally endorsed former Governor Andrew Cuomo in his bid for mayor. As reported by the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) on Friday, the endorsement is viewed as a major show of support from one of the city’s largest and most politically active Orthodox Jewish communities.

Joel Rosenfeld, a senior community leader within Bobov, told JNS that after extensive meetings and deliberations with a range of mayoral candidates, community leaders came to a unanimous decision to back Cuomo. “We have concluded that Cuomo is the strongest advocate for the community’s values and the needs of New York City,” Rosenfeld said.

The Bobov endorsement comes amid growing concern within Orthodox Jewish circles over the rising influence of far-left candidates in the race. According to the information provided in the JNS report, several contenders with ties to socialist political movements are polling competitively despite having made statements or supported policies that the community views as hostile or dismissive of Orthodox Jewish life.

“This election is critical,” Rosenfeld emphasized in his remarks to JNS. “We cannot afford to let those who oppose our values lead our city. The stakes are simply too high.”

The endorsement is particularly meaningful given Bobov’s substantial voter base—numbering over 20,000 residents, primarily concentrated in Brooklyn’s Borough Park neighborhood. Historically, the community has played a decisive role in local elections, often swinging outcomes in tightly contested races.

Cuomo’s relationship with the Orthodox Jewish community has been complicated. During the COVID-19 pandemic, several Chassidic neighborhoods were singled out for stricter enforcement measures, which community leaders interpreted as discriminatory and stigmatizing. In his outreach to Bobov leaders, Cuomo reportedly acknowledged those past tensions.

As JNS reported, Cuomo “expressed deep regret for the distress caused, acknowledging past mistakes and committing to prevent such issues in the future.” He also pledged to maintain direct communication with religious leaders and to include Orthodox Jewish advisors within his administration to ensure policies are crafted with cultural sensitivity.

The conciliatory tone appears to have resonated with Bobov leadership. “What we heard from him was genuine,” Rosenfeld told JNS. “He took responsibility and made a real commitment to include our voice in the decision-making process going forward.”

Given New York City’s ranked choice voting system, in which voters can list their top preferences in order, the Bobov community also announced second and third choices: State Senator Zellnor Myrie and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, respectively.

While Cuomo is their clear favorite, the backup endorsements serve as strategic hedges should the former governor fail to gain traction in early rounds of ranked choice tabulation.

Myrie, who represents parts of Brooklyn with sizable Orthodox populations, has worked on public safety initiatives and interfaith dialogue. Adams, meanwhile, has cultivated a reputation for moderation and support for community-based services, both of which have endeared her to segments of the city’s religious communities.

In a statement to JNS, Cuomo described the endorsement as both humbling and encouraging. “I’m so grateful to have the support of Bobov, which is a powerful statement of my continued commitment to the Orthodox community,” he said. JNS reported that  political observers noted that the endorsement might also help Cuomo consolidate moderate and religious voters wary of the growing influence of radical elements within the Democratic Party.

Whether the endorsement will translate into electoral victory remains to be seen. But one thing is certain, as the JNS report indicated: the Bobov community has made it clear that their priorities—public safety, cultural sensitivity, and political inclusion—will shape how they engage with city leadership now and in the years ahead.