By: Rabbi Michael S. Miller

For the first time in my 5 decades of Jewish public service, I am making a political endorsement. I will be voting for Andrew Cuomo to be the next Mayor of the City of New York. I don’t take this position lightly. The stakes are just too high in the mayoral contest for me to remain silent. Of course, I have concern for the future of the City should an avowed socialist act on his pledges to make the city affordable by potentially bankrupting its finances. But, as a proud Jewish New Yorker, having an occupant of City Hall who:

•            Denies the Jewish right to self-determination in their ancient and now modern homeland,

•            Rejects the recognition of Israel as a Jewish state.

•            Slanders Israel as an apartheid state, ignoring its Declaration of Independence which guarantees social and political equality to all inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex.

•            Falsely accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza,

•            Refuses to repudiate the blatantly antisemitic slogan “Globalize the Intifada”,

•            Uses the term “Zionist” as a pejorative,

•            Supports the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction (BDS) movement which delegitimizes Israel,

•            Threatens to illegally arrest the democratically elected Prime Minister of Israel should he step onto New York City’s soil, and,

•            Desists from calling for Hamas to lay down its weapons, would put at risk the residents of the city with the largest Jewish population outside of Israel. A vote for a Republican who has no chance of winning is essentially a vote for the Democratic Party nominee identified with socialism, an ideology long steeped in antisemitism. While former Governor Andrew Cuomo, whom I have known over many years and have been with him in Israel, has his baggage, there are absolutely no acceptable alternatives. Early voting begins on October 25th. The fate of the City and its Jewish citizenry will depend on your vote and the election’s outcome. Your vote truly matters. Make sure you are registered and vote for Andrew Cuomo for Mayor.