New York – After waging a re-election campaign whose strategy seemed to include avoiding almost all interviews, Governor Cuomo spoke with Councilman David Greenfield tonight on his weekly radio show, discussing his recent trip to Israel and his extremely close ties with Brooklyn’s Jewish community.
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The interview came one day after the governor made an appearance at Beth Jacob of Boro Park, speaking with community leaders and elected officials who came to show their support for Cuomo just days before Tuesday’s election.
After being introduced by Greenfield as “one of the greatest governors we have ever had,” Cuomo described his long relationship with the Jewish community, saying how his father forged many friendships with Orthodox Jews during Mario Cuomo’s 1982 campaign, where Andrew Cuomo served as campaign manager.
“I have inherited that, built on it and grown it,” said Cuomo, adding, “it is a warm feeling to be with genuine friends and that is what last night was all about.”
Cuomo acknowledged the diligent efforts of several local politicians, including Greenfield, Senator Simcha Felder and Assemblyman Dov Hikind. As reported by New York Observer, Cuomo heaped lavish accolades on Hikind referring to him as “a hero of mine” and “a voice of courage and of strength.”
Hikind, one of the evening’s speakers, lauded the Cuomo for his many accomplishments, but took the opportunity to push for tuition relief, calling it a tremendous financial burden on parents within the Jewish community.
“Too many of our families are struggling just to put food on the table and yet their largest expense is educating their children and ensuring their futures,” said Hikind. “By making Education Investment Tax Credits a reality, we will positively impact every single family in our community. This is our number one priority. The time for tuition relief for our families is now.”
Cuomo received a standing ovation after acknowledging his support of the Education Investment Tax Credits, saying how programs such as tuition relief and TAP for rabbinical students, should not be considered tzedaka, charity, but as matters of tzedek, justice.
Greenfield noted the governor’s many accomplishments which have brought some measure of financial relief to the Jewish community, including his work with Simcha Felder on behalf of special education students who attend private school and providing funding for couples seeking infertility treatments.
“What does it all come down to at end of day?” queried Cuomo. “Tikun olam, repairing the breach..helping one another.”
Greenfield, observed that the governor on his August trip to Israel was a rarity for Cuomo, who has publicly expressed his strong conviction to spend his time as governor in New York, dealing with state issues.
“It was remarkable to me how few people stood up for Israel and it was troubling,” Cuomo told Greenfield. Others who joined Cuomo on the two day trip were Senator Dean Skelos, Speaker Sheldon silver and Senator Jeffrey Klein.
“I wanted to make an exception to travel there, go there during the hostility and show the connection between Israel and New York,” explained Cuomo.
Cuomo, who met with several top Israeli officials during his trip, had the opportunity to visit one of the tunnels near the Gaza border. The governor, who was prepared to see small hand dug tunnels, was shocked to see their solid concrete construction.
“These were built to last,” said Cuomo. “It shows you how powerful the desire was to infiltrate from the Gaza side.”
Cuomo has also in past few days visited with leading Rabbis in NY.
Video below: Last night event with Gov. Cuomo
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While Israel needs more support from the U.S. and yeshivos need more help with funding, Jewish voters should place more emphasis on legislators who will back the sheva mitzvos bnai Noach and not pass laws promulgating actions that defy the sheva mitzvos. If a politician supports things that are against the sheva mitzvos, it does not bring Hashem’s brochos and the U.S. needs Hashem’s brochos. Vote for what is good for the US.
Cuomo was INVISABLE for most of his term. Now he wants to keep his job, so he throws crumbs at these Yidden, who are behaving as if the Moshiach lehavdil has arrived.
hes a smart man, visiting the small neighborhood that gets the most votes in the whole state
What’s the reason behind he cancelled the last scheduled vist?
I won’t vote for him because of this.
Is there a shovel big enough ????
Dear Jews he wants your votes, he does not love you, he wants only your votes.
Get a clue, he only wants your votes.