Cuomo Denounces Antisemitism in Fiery Address to Brooklyn’s Shaare Zion Congregation: Vows to Make NYC a Global Model of Tolerance

Edited by: TJVNews.com

In a passionate and widely applauded speech delivered to over 1,500 congregants at Congregation Shaare Zion on Shabbat, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo—now a declared candidate for New York City mayor—called for unwavering, zero-tolerance policies against antisemitism and challenged the city to lead the world in combating hatred.

According to a report on VIN News, Cuomo, who once held the state’s highest office for over a decade, stood before the largest Sephardic-Syrian synagogue in Brooklyn and urged New York City to live up to its reputation as a beacon of pluralism and moral leadership.

“Let New York City set the international standard of a people, of a government, of a society that has zero tolerance for any antisemitic act of any kind,” Cuomo declared, as reported by VIN News. “Let us speak the word loud and proud, and let the power of our example set a new model to follow.”

The crowd responded with thunderous applause, rising to their feet in what several congregants described as a moment of renewed hope amid a concerning uptick in antisemitic incidents citywide.

Cuomo’s appearance at Shaare Zion comes during a climate of heightened concern over Jewish safety in New York. According to the report on VIN News, leaders within the Sephardic community have voiced increasing alarm about harassment, vandalism, and threats targeting Jewish institutions, particularly since the October 7 Hamas massacre in Israel, which has ignited a wave of hostility against Jews around the globe.

Cuomo didn’t shy away from this reality. Instead, he acknowledged it directly—and pledged to confront it head-on if elected mayor.

“Hate has no place in this city,” Cuomo stated. “And I intend to lead a government that doesn’t just say it—but shows it, every single day.”

Congregation Shaare Zion is considered a powerful and influential center of religious and civic engagement within New York’s Sephardic-Syrian community. According to information provided in the VIN News report, many in attendance remembered Cuomo’s consistent support for the Jewish community during his tenure as governor—particularly his vocal condemnation of antisemitism and strong ties with Jewish leaders across denominations.

“Andrew Cuomo has always stood with our community,” said one local board member after the event. “His message today wasn’t just rhetoric—it was a call to action. And we believe he can deliver.”

Cuomo’s address at Shaare Zion comes just weeks after formally announcing his candidacy for New York City mayor, a move that has sparked intense media speculation and reshaped the political landscape of the 2025 race.

As the VIN News report noted, Cuomo is positioning himself as a seasoned executive who can bring discipline, experience, and decisiveness to a city facing deep divides, rising crime, and community tensions.

His speech on Shabbat was carefully crafted to bridge religious and civic themes, tapping into the audience’s concerns about public safety, the erosion of civil discourse, and the need for moral clarity in a time of confusion.

But Cuomo’s message extended beyond the boundaries of Brooklyn or New York. VIN News reported that his repeated use of the phrase “international standard” suggests a broader ambition: to reassert New York as not only America’s largest city, but a global symbol of democratic values and communal solidarity.

“Let the world look to us,” Cuomo said. “Let them see how New York—home to so many cultures, faiths, and histories—can lead with courage and conviction.”

As he enters the 2025 mayoral race, Cuomo appears to be leaning on themes that have long defined his political identity: strength in adversity, moral leadership, and a combative stance against intolerance, VIN News reported.

His speech at Shaare Zion offered a glimpse of how he intends to galvanize faith communities, especially Jewish voters, who have become increasingly vocal in demanding more decisive action from City Hall.

According to VIN News, Cuomo’s words struck a chord in a community that has felt overlooked, vilified, or caught in the political crossfire of progressive movements that sometimes blur the line between criticism of Israel and attacks on Jewish identity.

Saturday’s event at Shaare Zion was more than just a campaign stop—it was a statement of intent. In confronting antisemitism not merely as a Jewish issue but as a civic crisis that threatens the moral integrity of the city, Andrew Cuomo positioned himself as a candidate who sees hate not only as a threat to one community but as a danger to all.

As the mayoral race heats up, his words will likely resonate far beyond the walls of the synagogue—and may shape the contours of one of New York City’s most consequential elections in recent memory.