Cuomo Gains Support from Orthodox Jewish Leaders Amid Controversy

Former Governor Andrew Cuomo has received backing from prominent Orthodox Jewish groups on Sunday after a rabbi in Brooklyn reportedly gave his support to socialist contender Zoran Mamdani for mayor “without proper authorization.”

Cuomo’s campaign stated that leaders from the Satmar Alonim community, including Ceskel Berkowitz, Avrum Brach, and Shurem Yitzchok Jacobowitz, issued an open letter expressing their support for him as he runs as an independent candidate. This support came after some internal tensions within the community.

In response, Cuomo expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am honored to receive support from such respected community leaders.”

He added that their influence is significant in advocating for family values, faith, and common sense. “I share their belief that New York needs unity and balance, not ideological extremes. Together, we will make this city safer, fairer, and stronger for everyone,” he stated.

Prior to the Satmar community’s endorsement of Cuomo, Rabbi Moshe Indig—a leader from the Williamsburg sect—had claimed on a local website that they were behind Mamdani, according to the Jewish media outlet Bellas.

Reportedly, sources indicated that Indig’s endorsement was not authorized and that it had been made without the consensus of other community leaders.

Despite this, Mamdani quickly embraced the announcement and shared it on social media. “Today, I was honored to receive support from Rabbi Moshe Indig and the Aronim leaders of Williamsburg,” he wrote, emphasizing the fight against anti-Semitism and the goal of creating a city that serves all New Yorkers.

On the other front, Berkowitz, Brach, and Jacobowitz issued a warning in their statement that “everything we hold dear and everything we stand for is at stake.” They urged everyone to take action to safeguard their values, community, yeshiva, and way of life.

This story is continuing to develop, so stay tuned for updates.