Brooklyn, NY – In an Alliance With a Rabbi, New Lessons for Paladino

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    Rabbi Yehuda Levin, left, walks with New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino, center, after Paladino spoke at a campaign stop at at K'Hal Adas Kasho synagogue in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010. Paladino  paid visits to two heavily Orthodox Jewish communities of the Borough Park and Williamsburg neighborhoods in Brooklyn. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)Brooklyn, NY – Carl P. Paladino’s introduction to the world of conservative Jewish politics began with an unsolicited early-morning phone call three weeks ago to his campaign manager, Michael R. Caputo.

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    The caller, a self-described right-wing Brooklyn rabbi named Yehuda Levin, had heard that other Jewish leaders were accusing Mr. Paladino of being an anti-Semite because of disparaging comments he had made about Sheldon Silver, the Assembly speaker. After Mr. Caputo explained Mr. Paladino’s side of the story, Rabbi Levin, a fierce critic of Mr. Silver’s, invited the Republican candidate for governor to address his congregation.

    “I told him, ‘I have the credibility that when I go in front of the media and I am representing the Paladino camp, and that if he is coming to my synagogue, right before the holiday of Sukkot, it will mean something,’ ” Mr. Levin said in an interview on Monday.

    The visit had strategic appeal for both sides: Mr. Paladino, an anti-abortion, anti-gay-marriage Catholic businessman from Buffalo, hoped to find like-minded voters among the politically and socially conservative Orthodox Jews of Brooklyn. And Mr. Levin, who has dreamed for years of creating “an Orthodox Tea Party,” as he put it, was eager to help, in part by lining up appearances for Mr. Paladino at synagogues and yeshivas.

    Mr. Paladino’s remarks on Sunday made headlines, after he criticized Andrew M. Cuomo for taking his daughters to a gay pride parade and said that children should not be “brainwashed” into thinking that homosexuality was acceptable. The comments drew a round of condemnation from gay rights leaders, and fellow Republicans quickly distanced themselves from them.

    But the statements also underscored the intricate agendas and surprising alliances in a corner of the political world where even veteran politicians need a guide.

    “These are neighborhoods with a preference for insularity,” said David M. Pollock, associate executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, a nonprofit group. “In the Hasidic world, it is very hard to tell the players without a scorecard. And politicians are always reliant on the person who hands it to them.”

    Mr. Paladino relied on Mr. Levin. Like Mr. Paladino, Mr. Levin, 56, plays on the margins of traditional power structures. His synagogue, the Kehilas Mevakshai Hashem, has roughly two dozen members, far fewer than the thousands of adherents commanded by the large Hasidic sects that dominate Orthodox politics in Brooklyn, each under the dominion of a grand rebbe, or rabbi. He is based in Midwood, rather than the Hasidic strongholds of Williamsburg and Borough Park.

    In fact, Mr. Levin is not, strictly speaking, a Hasid, though he wears the familiar black hat and coat of those who are. “I’m the next closest thing to Hasidic,” Mr. Levin explained, “an amalgam of right-wing yeshivish and Hasidic.”

    What Mr. Levin did have was a pure devotion to conservative politics unmatched by more prominent Orthodox rabbis, many of whom preach traditional values in shul but are highly pragmatic when it comes to picking politicians to endorse, backing winners and those most likely to deliver resources to their communities.

    Mr. Cuomo had already been cultivating larger sects like the Satmars and won the blessing of several prominent rabbis. But Mr. Paladino’s campaign believed Orthodox voters would buck their leadership if they heard his conservative message for themselves.

    “It’s our belief that Andrew Cuomo thinks the entire Orthodox community is behind him, Mr. Caputo said on Monday. “We’ve discovered that on two of their top issues – gay marriage and abortion – he’s the polar opposite of their congregations. The Orthodox community has expressed quite a bit of independence from the rebbes, and as long as we are talking to the grass roots of that community, we are in pretty good shape.”

    Mr. Paladino first came to Mr. Levin’s synagogue in September. Mr. Levin then helped arrange his visits to a Williamsburg synagogue and a Borough Park yeshiva – both affiliated with relatively minor sects – on Sunday.

    Some in the Orthodox community said they suspected Mr. Paladino of seeking to surround himself with rabbis – any rabbis – to rebut the accusations of anti-Semitism. The involvement of Mr. Levin, who is respected by some for his commitment to conservative values and dismissed by others as an opportunist eager to bolster his own name, reinforced that view.

    “These rabbis have become the Santa Claus of politics,” said one Orthodox political operative, who asked for anonymity so as to avoid antagonizing religious leaders. “You bring the person running, you have a photo op. And as long as he has a black hat and jacket, it’s great. It looks like an endorsement.”

    Mr. Levin, who is spokesman for the Rabbinical Alliance of America, an association of socially conservative rabbis, shares with Mr. Paladino a proclivity for inflammatory public statements, particularly about homosexuality. He spoke out against a gay pride festival in Jerusalem several years ago, saying it would amount to “the spiritual rape of the Holy City” and proclaimed “This is not the homo land, this is the Holy Land.”

    On Monday, Mr. Paladino said that the two speeches he had made in Brooklyn on Sunday were prepared by someone else, and that he had stricken out some ideas with which he did not agree. In the interview, Mr. Levin said he had written one of the speeches and contributed to the second, in which Mr. Paladino warned against brainwashing children into accepting homosexuality.

    “I did not write the second speech,” Mr. Levin said. “However, I did have some input into it-and I stand ready to defend the content of it.”


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    32 Comments
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    Tzvi_Hersh
    Tzvi_Hersh
    13 years ago

    Where can one find a list of the members of the Rabbinical Alliance of America?

    yaakov doe
    Member
    yaakov doe
    13 years ago

    Maybe Paladino should have inquired about Rabbi Levin before depending on him as a speech writer. Rabbi Levin represents a minuscule part of the frum community. Levin may have doomed Paladino’s chance of victory with these 2 well publicized appearances.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    This is too funny…Levin and Paladino deserve one another…yiddeshe trailer trash meets catholic trailer trash. Levin does not represent ANY yiddeshe values, conservative or otherwise. He found his beschert in Paladino whose candidacy has embarrassed even the Catholic archdiocese which yesterday disowned Paladino’s claims that he was only repeating the Catholic Church’s postion on homosexuality. Levin’s support helps assure that any normal yid will hold his/her nose and vote for Cuomo.

    Insider
    Insider
    13 years ago

    Rabbi Levin is a tireless fighter for his cause. He is to be greatly repected. The media now recalls that Rabbi Levin had an effect on the gubernatorial campaigns of Mario (the father) Coumo and Ed Koch (Elect Coumo not the Homo !!). The New York Times is correct in identifying Rabbi Levin as an activist Rabbi but is wrong in leaving the impression that he is exploiting opportunities to aggrandize his own name. Rabbi Yehuda Levin is doing it all in honor of his mentor, Rabbi Avigdor Miller, zt”l, and L’shem Shemayim.

    13 years ago

    The only regret I have in life is that I didn’t become a Psychaitrist. Wow. I could have made a fortune. There are so many meshugenahs out there

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Reply to No. 4

    “Rabbi Yehuda Levin is doing it all in honor of his mentor, Rabbi Avigdor Miller, zt”l, and L’shem Shemayim

    How dare you soil the memory of rav miller Z’tl, whose positions on some issues were to the right of Agudah but who still had great respect among other rabbonim. Levin is regarded as a seriously disturbed person who seeks out goyim to promote himself and his hate agenda. Rav Miller would be turning over in his grave to see what his “talmid” has done. He was no mentor to this hate-mongerer.

    bigwheeel
    bigwheeel
    13 years ago

    Poster # 1 (Tzvi Hersh); ….On the letterhead and other stationery of “The Rabbinical Alliance of America”.

    oiber-chacham
    oiber-chacham
    13 years ago

    this so called rabbi levin,is nothing but a criminaly insane ignorant savage,who is absolutely obssesed with the gay issue and nothing else,
    if you remmember,when this american hitler pat buchanan,was running for president,guess who was his campaign manager in brooklyn.yes non other than this meshugana nutcase yehuda levin,this meshugana was thrown out from every rabbinic organization that he joined,and therefore he had to make up this new rabbinic organization that has absolutely one memmber,himself

    Lodzker
    Lodzker
    13 years ago

    politics isnt such a circus outside of NY

    Shlomo2
    Shlomo2
    13 years ago

    Levin is a walking Chillul Hashem.

    For the sake of non-Jewish readers, that means a walking desecration of G-d’s Name.

    FLATBUSHZAIDY
    FLATBUSHZAIDY
    13 years ago

    Why is it that the Flatbush rabonim of far greater stature than this Rabbi Levin stay out of partisan politics? Who is this man to claim that he speaks for all of us when he has a tiny congregation? From what I’ve seen of his Youtube Videos, he’s not the sort of rabbi that I would go to for a shila or guidance.

    If Paladino does win what sort of cabinet post would Paladino be able to give him?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    As evident from posting no. 8 and many others over the past day, many VIN readers are very confused why such a high level website devoted to intelligent exchange of views among the orthodox community gives such prominent coverage to Levin. Certainly, the first story yesterday was worthy of mention since it was another nail in the Paladino coffin, but why keep on running new articles on the same issue with no real news value.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Maybe if someone from Levin’s family had been unfortunate enough to be at that Bronx abandoned building last week, he would step back from his madness and show some humanity. I don’t think Paladino’s handlers realize that this episode cost him the election (and possibly other right wing zealots as well). Wait to you see the poll numbers that come out later tomorrow afternoon.. If I was Levin I would get out of town really fast because a lot of Republicans will view this as a setup and deliberate sabatoge.

    charliehall
    charliehall
    13 years ago

    I agree with #12 . Why do this and other frum sites give Levin such publicity? He makes Orthodox Jews look bad. There are plenty of politically conservative Orthodox rabbis who would be far better spokespeople for our values who don’t have a past history of support for anti-Semites.

    From the article it looks like Levin has taken advantage of Paladino. That Paladino would be so clueless speaks volumes regarding his fitness for public office; hopefully he will be the last politician to give Levin the time of day.

    Also note that Levin is taking credit for the speech in which Paladino criticized prominent Orthodox rabbis by name — in an Orthodox shul. Thjs is unbelievable! Does halachah permit a Jew to get a non-Jewish political leader to attack another Jew?

    Insider
    Insider
    13 years ago

    To Mr. Number 6: Rabbi Miller was intensely proud of Rabbi Yehuda Levin’s efforts. As a mattre of fact, in 1983 leading Rosh Yeshivas and Rabbis, both Yeshivish and Chasidish, signed a Kol Korah against any political candidate that endorses gay rights, etc. The then Satmar Rebbe, Pupa Rebbe, Montviedo Rebbe, amongst many others, were signatories. The present Skulener Rebbe, may he live long productive years, was also a signer. Rbbi Miller was the moving force of that historic Kol Korah.
    At that time, the gay movement had not yet set their evil eyes on gay marriage. That Kol Korah is still in full force and effect. Rabbi Elyashuv, Rabbi Shteinman, Rabbi Wosner, Toldos Aaron Rebbe, Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok Rebbe, Belzer Rebbe, Gerer Rebbe, all continue to strongly support Rabbi Levin’s important efforts (in spite of what you and other des
    In spite of nasty comments from small minded individuals (as well as inadvertant mistakes by Rabbi Levin) the overwhelming majority of right-leading Rabbis here and in Israel strongly endorse and encourage the worthy campaign continued by Rabbi Levin with mesiras nefesh. May HaShem look down and bless him and his family with every beracha possible.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    To Insider…

    To even mention the name of Levin in the same sentence as the gadolei yisroel you mention and suggest ANY of them is in the same sewer as Levin is such a chillul hashem. Yes, all of these great rabbonim oppose gay marriage but so do most VIN readers. Thats not the point. They don’t encourage violence against gays, the victims and don’t don’t attribute every earthquake or natural tragedy to the behavior of the victims. You should personally beg mechiallah from each one of these rabbonim for implying they support Levin.

    Blicker
    Blicker
    13 years ago

    This man is an irrelevant self hating Jew. There is nly one logical explanation for his obsession with gays. He’s obviously compensating for uncomfotable urges that he has.

    charliehall
    charliehall
    13 years ago

    #15 ,

    You are wrong about the alleged obsession of rabbis — and their followers — with homosexuality. I was in Williamsburg a few days before the 2005 mayoral election. I had never seen so many political signs in favor of a single candidate. All were for Bloomberg, then as now an outspoken supporter of same sex marriage. And I know that the signs were not directed towards anyone other then frum Jews because most of the signs were in Yiddish! Bloomberg won most of the frum parts of New York City by landslide margins and repeated that feat in 2009.

    Furthermore, many commenters here have called for the defeat of Rep. Nancy Pelosi. Her Republican opponent, John Dennis, is an openly gay supporter of same sex marriage. He is also a follower of the ideology of the hedonist atheist Ayn Rand, and of the anti-Semitic congressman Ron Paul who has enthusiastically endorsed him. Apparently it is ok to support pro-Gay Republicans.

    Member
    13 years ago

    I can’t believe we have candidates like this in today’s day and age.

    schwartzi
    schwartzi
    13 years ago

    my my, what veom,and sinas chinom against another yid. politics aside,(for what it’s worth already) is this how all you negative no, better HATEFUL bloggers feel about Rabbi Levin? and why? because he is against those sexual deviants,and is not afraid to say it? as most of our politically correct,and spineless politicians are? yep,business as usual, some of you will sell your mothers for a good govt program,or a buck. hakeseg yanei es hakol. how true.

    kalmengoldberg
    kalmengoldberg
    13 years ago

    I dont really know who you are rabbi levine, but please dont make it as if you represent the community of frum people in brooklyn. thanks and good night!

    enlightened-yid
    enlightened-yid
    13 years ago

    Immediately after Paladino’s gay hate-fest speech I knew that the whole circus was Levin’s making. Paladino though has made comments on social issues was never focused on them. So I was a little surprised by the extreme tone in the message. Many people dismissed some of his hot-headed smear tactics against Cuomo and Democrats because people agreed with Paladino’s economic policies and proposals. But now there is no way any sane person can vote for Paladino after his extreme gay bashing speech written by the well know crazy Yehuda Levin. Even amongst NY conservatives there is a certain level of tolerance towards gays because they are somebody’s children and are in everyone’s community. Paladino even admitted that his own nephew is gay.

    Yehuda Levin only accomplished two things with his own agenda– first he has cost Paladino any chance at victory and second every blog on the internet is asking who are these Jews who like to hear hate speeches from politicians. The Catholic Church and the Mormon nut-jobs are looking like tolerant people compared to what people see of Orthodox Jews clapping to Paladino’s speech in their synagogue. Not a smart way to bring such attention to Americans.

    And If Paladino is this inexperienced at trying to win hearts of New Yorkers then maybe he is really not competent to be our governor. This is not Alabama where such campaign tactics will fly. And Paladino needs to fire his campaign manager for failing to screen Yehuda Levin as a crazy hack that brings not value to political campaigns for candidates. I think it’s too late for Paladino to tone his “tough guy” rhetoric down because it’s not his first scandal.

    stockloss
    stockloss
    13 years ago

    Great Job Rabbi Levin!!!
    People are so scared to talk againt gays and other mehigoyim but not you. Rabbi Avigdor Miller would honor you in Madison Squre Garden for ure work. Keep it up! Much Hatzlocha to you.

    yaakov doe
    Member
    yaakov doe
    13 years ago

    Levin doomed the Paladino campaign by preparing the candoidates scripted speach. Could he be a plant by the Coumo campaign?

    Shlomo2
    Shlomo2
    13 years ago

    To the Levin troll who keeps writing the positive comments here, under different names, I have a question

    Levin represented himself to Paladino as an influential power broker with strong support within the ultra orthodox world. This is why Paladino joked that he would employ Levin as his new campaign manager.

    If that claim were not true, then Levin would be guilty of a host of Torah violations as regards to deceiving another person and giving them advice that would harm them. (This is aside from the Chillul Hashem.)

    The question: Could you please give us some specifics as to which influential Rabbis in NY support Levin, for instance having urged their followers to vote for Pat Buchanan on Levin’s say so?

    Insider
    Insider
    13 years ago

    Mr. Number 18: HaShem should bless you and give you clarity of vision. All the Gedolim that I mentioned, and many that I left out, stand up when Rabbi Yehuda Levin steps into their room. I forgot to mention the Kashau Rav, zt”l, as well as the present one, strongly support Rabbi Levin and his important work. In spite of your collective lust for Section 8, Food Stamps, Welfare, and MedicAid, Torah principals supercede – and will prevail. Rabbi Levin has a large family, Boruch HaShem, he does not suckle goverment handout benifits. It is absolutely inconceivable that we, the frum observant community, will not only tolerate, but actually promote political candidates that espouse abortion, gay lifestyles, euthinasia, and all other deviancies in exchange for the promise of Section 8, Food Stamps, Welfare, and MedicAid. Have we sunk so low that a vocal defender of Torah and family values is lietrally defamed by coreligionists within our own communitites. May HaShem have mercy on all of us.

    sane
    sane
    13 years ago

    Paladino and Levin could not make a better couple. They are both crude and totally unqualified for leadership positions. Levin claims to be a protege of R. Avigdor Miller, z”l. The two have nothing in common. R. Miller would never c”v talk in the crude manner of Levin.

    13 years ago

    Note that some comments here refer to Levin as Rabbi, while the article repeats his title as Mr. Levin. Knowing him personally, I agree with the media writer, as I do not think of him as a rabbi, though the media tends to label anyone sporting a beard as rabbi.

    Levin is actually an opportunist, not an idealist. He sees the loud mouth character of a candidate Paladino as an association that will gain him exposure and perceived political clout. In reality, it is much hot air, much ado about nothing. As someone sickened by the performance of Obama and Washington Democrats, I would gladly vote for any other candidates. Paladino has made my ability to vote straight Republican into a challenge. He has a loose mouth, reflexively attacks, and parrots whatever he is told will gain him PR points. In my book, elected officials have other responsibilities, and should be held to a higher standard of humanity and morality. If morality wins this election, watch Paladino and Levin fade into obscurity.

    MazelKGH
    MazelKGH
    13 years ago

    I don’t like R’ Levin. I don’t like Paladino. But I HATE Cuomo. He is evil just like his father was. I will vote for Paladino and as a bonus it will also get rid of Bloomberg (hate him too).

    13 years ago

    Carl – you’re running around with the WRONG RABBI – Levine does NOT represent Orthodox Jews – he’ll only hurt your campaign.

    13 years ago

    hes frumming out!