Jewish group backs Yassky
Crown Heights Jewish leaders are slated to step into a charged Brooklyn congressional race today when they endorse City Councilman David Yassky, the Daily News has learned.
Members of the Crown Heights Political Action Committee – the political arm of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council – are expected to make the announcement with Yassky at a City Hall press conference.
“He had a sensitive ear to our needs while a councilman, and we remembered that,” said Rabbi Nochum Gross, former chairman of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council.
The other candidates are state Sen. Carl Andrews (D-Crown Heights), City Councilwoman Yvette Clarke (D-Flatbush) and Chris Owens, son of the retiring incumbent.
Political observers said as the contested race heats up in the final days before the Sept. 12 primary, the endorsement could be important because of the community’s record for voting as a bloc and for getting the vote out.
“When you’re in hand-to-hand combat, every vote counts,” said consultant Hank Sheinkopf.
“If this is tight, this could put Yassky over the top.”
Crown Heights Jewish leaders estimated they could turn out “thousands” of votes.
But political watcher Evan Stavisky said Yassky already needed to do well among Crown Heights Jewish voters, meaning the endorsement is notable, but “not make or break.”
“The electoral map for David Yassky requires him to get overwhelming support in the white community, and particularly in the Jewish community,” said Stavisky.
Yassky, who has raised the most money of the candidates in the race, said, “I’m honored to have their support,”.
The race is expected to split along racial lines, and the winner likely will be the candidate who can pull out the most votes on primary day.
Clarke, the anticipated favorite among Caribbean voters, has picked up key support from two powerful Service Employees International Union locals, 1199 SEIU and 32BJ.
Andrews has garnered endorsements from the teachers union, the AFL-CIO and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, among others.
Meanwhile, Owens scored an endorsement yesterday from the New York Amsterdam News, the third African-American newspaper to back him.
“It’s very important to have that support, because it represents the concerns of African-Americans in New York and throughout the country,” said Owens.
Heshie
Rubashkin was smart to place Shea Hecht as Chair and also incude other independent leaders such as Rabbi Lieder. When Chanina was Vaad boss, he appointed himself as Chair and made all the decisions by himself, even when PAC members outvoted him. Chanina did whatever Clarence Norman wanted.
This is a tough congressional race. But Yassky has more brains and know-how than all three other candidates combined. Carl is a nice guy, and he’d been friendly to the community, but he would not stand out–Yassky would be a national new face in Washingon
Mordy
Yasher Koach Moshe R. for appointing an independent leader, Shea Hecht, as chair of the PAC. The last PAC leader was appointed by himself, Hanina Sperlin. And I always heard that Hanina picked all the candidates according to whatever Clarence Norman asked, plus some money from Clarence that Hanina never was accountible for.
Joseph Steinherz
This endoresement is ill advised. We have years of good relations and assistance from Carl Andrews. From Yassky we have promises. Andrews has spent his life living in and working in our district. Yassky moved over the border of the district shortly before the filing deadline.
As someone who has lived her fore a quarter of a century, I am dismayed that the Brooklyn political machine is trying to saddle us with an outsider, whose renown in our district was purchased not with hard work, like Carl Andrews but with advertising dollars.
The ingratitude of our political leadership embarasses me. Publicly expressing my support for Carl Andrews and for representation indigenous to and sensitive to the needs of our diverse district is an expression of hakoras hatov and the honourable thing to do . I hope other Crown Heights residents will do likewise
mechi
hatzlocho rabbo CH keep the good work and lets hope that we will have only good news
yossy
i was shocked to see more people marching with yassky to day then with andrews yasskys chances are getting
bigger but i still think the c.h pac should waite a couple more days before deciding b/t yassky and andrews
Eliezar
I do not think we necessarily owe everything to Carl Andrews. I was saddened to see him march with A Sharpton in the parade today and after reading that he will campaign everyday with Sharpton. Granted, Carl is a nice guy. But he is also someone who only realy got to know sperlin, hardly a model representative of our community. Carl, as nice as he is, is mostly a poltiical fixer, and did little do distinguish himself in Albany.
Shmuel G.
Carl Andrews is a low class politician.
He also just recently purchased a home in Crown Heights with fraud. He manipulated this poor old Goy to sell his house to Andrews for a fraction of the value being that he is a "Senator" and will work "very hardb working for the public".
As a neighbour and friend of this old goy he naturaly offered the house to me first. But when he was at his church on sunday Andrews was there as well and gave a speech and finished the speech by asking all if they knew anyone willing to sell their home, G-d will bless them if they would sell it to him so he can better help this district.
So naturally this goy told me that its "very important for this comunity that a senator should have where to live" and refused to continue dealing with me.
After the deal went throught with this thief Andrews for 375,000 instead of the 700,000 that he wanted from me and saw that Andrews had no intention of actually living there I called his office and made up with him to meet him at the house on Crown Bet Troy and Schenectady to negotiate the a potential sale.
When I arrived at the house at night he was there waiting for me and as soon as we started talking about the house he said Ok give me a million Dollars and the house is yours. I told him its not worth that price and I would not pay for a house in that location a condition one million dollars. At which point he said
"I know your People got all the money, So why are you barganing?"
He continued: "Bring it in a shoe box, Only cash" at which point I told him to stop fantasizing because i was not intersted at this price. He then responded by saying "I know you jews will be back knocking on this door.
A Yid
I will vote for Yvette Clarke, who has supported our community, and its only because of her mother that we have Mosdos day Care.
CH activist
Mayor Bloomberg all but all out endorsed Yassky today after the parade.
I know what I am talking about!
Shmuel, Shmuel, Shmuel! You know better than that. It’s not what happened! And you know it!
Carl Andrews has been a friend to our community for many years. He was indeed a close associate of Clarence Norman who, himself, enabled the building of the Jewish Childrens Museum by removing numerous tax liens on the property.
He also poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into the community through support of CHJCC programs such as Mrs. Mintz’ Family Preservation Program.
Yassky on the other hand has done little for the community, is a far left liberal who married out of the faith and will vote left of left anti-Israel 90% of the time.
ch voter
i will vote for yassky i urge everyone else to vote for him.
member of chpac
In a phone interview with Chanina Sperlin, Chairman of the Crown Heights Political Action Committee, **** **** has learned that this endorsement is another one of Moshe Rubashkin’s acts of deception perpetuated on the Community.
This endorsement does not represent the Crown Heights PAC in any form whatsoever. It was done without a meeting of the PAC and without the consent of the Chairman Chanina Sperlin. In order to achieve a semblance of legitimacy, Rubashkin has enlisted the support of Shea hecht and Nochum Gross, a former Vaad member, who in the past wrote a letter to the Community supporting Rubashkins phony elections for the Beis Din against the psak din of the Moro Deasro Horav Shwei Shlito.
Therefore, the Chairman of the PAC Chanina Sperlin, has made it clear that no one should take this seriously, despite any press coverage , and should wait for the official announcement from the PAC, within the next few days.
CH activist
Chanina Sperlin has no right to pretend he is still PAC Chair. He was appointed Chair when Leibel Nash was by the Vaad and reappointed himself when he kicked Noochi Gross out of the Chair office. Moshe Rubashkin is now the Vaad Chair and can appoint whoever he wants, by majority vote of the Vaad, including the respected Plotkin and Lang. Chanina is a political crony of the old regime. He is using his photo ops to claim he is still chair, but he is as much the Chair as Clinton is still President. Take a hike, Chanina.
Ephraim
Chanina Sperlin always made the decisions on who the PAC would support, regardless of meetings or votes, and even if members wanted somebody else. He rarely held meetings. And there were no rules. What a joke.
Joseph Steinherz
The passionate and well informed diversity of opinion in this and other political races raises a serious question. What loyalty can an unelected political club that does not freely admit new members command from our community?
The only reason that this should not be considered a deal made in the proverbial smoke filled room is that smoking is banned in public places.
It is a pity that an exclusive club is telling us what to do. What is even sadder is when our attempts at establishing bodies of elected representatives make a class of bochrim with a substitute teacher look tame by comparison. This chaotic and dishonorable endorsement is a case illustration of why we need moshiach
For the good of the Shchuna
The Jewish press and Dov Hikind have both endorsed Carl Andrews for Congress, therefore it makes more sense to trust their judgement over a novice like Moshe Rubashkin.
go carl
dov hikind has much more experience then rubashkin and chanina together.
i am voting for carl andrews
no wonder we have no political power.
when someone does good for our community, we so not support him when is counts.
yasski is a sick liberal self hating jew
Cee
OH ! Well ! If the Jewish Press says something … they must be right … doh … dee … duh. </sarcasm>
With respect to Ms. Clarke, I’m voting for Yassky.
CH resident
Point 1: The Crown Heights Jewish Community Council is publicly funded 501c3 nonprofit agency. It is not permitted, by law, to have a “political arm.” The PAC has always been a completely separate agency. The law does not restrict board members and staff members from engaging in politcs as private citizens.
The present regime seems to have stepped over a line that was carefully and discreetly by protected by previous executive directors of the CHJCC.
These openly political actions by Rubashkin with Lang up front & and the hapless ladies of the CHJCC in the background could jeopardize still more public funding.
Point 2: Yassky will be a disaster for frumme Yidden in general and our sh’chuna in particular.
Point 3: Andrews always has been a friend to this community.
Right choice
I think that like in everything we must consult with and expert (mumche0 in the matter. Chanina which served for three terms in the JCC/Vaad and public relation with the politicians is his expertees and Nash which is senior JCC and Vaad members are the appropiate people to suggest which of the candidates is the best for the benefit of our schunah.
jimmy the tulip
Nice to see some intelectual debate.
Daniel
Dear "For the good of the Shchuna"
If you have not figured it out by now, the Jewish Press endorses based on who pays the paper’s charity funds the most money. The endorsement is not based on quality. Dov Hikind lined up the entire Jewish Press endorsement. Jewish Press endorsements are more hype than honor, and not to be paid much attention. Anyhow, the Jewish Press is controllled by Speaker Sheldon Silver, and word is that his people do not want Carl Andrews elected. Yassky’s the man.
And to Mr. Sternherz: Leibil Nash set up the PAC when he was Vaad Chair. The PAC is appointed by the Vaad Chair and is to reflect candidate support for the Vaad.
Shmuel G.
Carl Andrews is a Rasha. He Hates Jews. Get It Through Your Head.
bobby
carl andrews helped bais rivkah bnos menachem yam and many individuals,what did he doinAlbany ,in two years became the 2nd highest Democratic Senator in Albany,fought and beat Pataki ,saved Universal Pre-k, which brings multi-millions to Yeshivos Here and all over the city,but whats more important a real track record or a lot of big promises right before election day,you choice right candidate for achange,if you dare!
yankel
in respone to daniel:
i personaly know that carl andrews has long standing relationship with the editors and owners of the jewish press you can call jerry and ask him if you have the guts to
Joseph Steinherz
To Daniel,
Even is your "inside scoop " can be substantiated, a newspaper has to provide well reasoned editorials to back up its endorsements. If an endorsement of a candidate is a simple payback for private favours, then the editorials will not resonate. A lot goes on behind the scenes at a newspaper, a community organisation office or the office of an elected official. To affect wide eyed astonishment at this only when speaking of political opponents is disingenuous.
There is a cynical adage on this general subject. "Those who like the law or sausage should not watch either one being made."
One need eschew neither politics nor luncheon meat. Research into both is desirable, because not all luncheon meat is baloney, and not all politics is sleeze. If one of sheva mitzvos bnei Noach is to institute a system of government, then enobling our civic participation is an ideal towards which we all should strive
Daniel
Some of these comments are naive beyond belief. Carl Andrews is NOT the 2nd ranking Democratic Senator in Albany. The Deputy Majority Leader is Eric Schneiderman. Carl has an honorary title, which gives him extra stipend money. He is not really well regarded by his colleagues. Only Shelly Silver and Joe Bruno have clout in the legislature to get anything done. The so-called victories are those that Bruno beat Pataki on and Carl was able to be one of 60 other Senators voting.
And the Jewish Press is bought off, it’s not the NY TIMES, which has intellectual debate and ends up on the wrong side.
Chair
To Daniel
Got news for you NASH WAS NEVER CHAIRMAN OF VAAD
/JCC.
Milhouse
The NYT endorsed Yassky. That alone is reason enough to vote for anyone else.
Joseph Steinherz
There was once a candidate for office who told an audience as follows " If I am lucky, I will get 53 or 54 per cent of the vote. Since I am the elected representative of even those who bitterly opposed me, I hope to win their confidence by treating them as well as I treat those who contributed to my campaign. Therefore I can promise my contributors nothing more than to weigh their needs and opinions in the context of the needs and sentiments of all my constituents.
I believe you will be so fortunate to have my wisdom guiding our congressional district, that no special favours are neccesary to you or any interest group that you might champion.
When I win, those of you who worked so hard to elect mecan call my campaign office to hear a recorded message of thanks."
I would like to ask reb Daniel if he thinks our community should look for such a candidate. I would hope to be represented by someone who has a proven record of rewarding their blocs of supporters. The Jewish Press has always supported those who helped Jewish Institutions. I would like to see The Jewish Press and others assist in building a Republican Party that is not an echo of the Democrats in approach and ideology. But I would never question their sincerity in championing the well being of Jews and Jewish institutions
yossy
At the end of the day crown heights will be devided half going to andrews half to yassky we should all thank are so called leaders for this
Yechiel
How was Chanina the Chairman of the PAC while a member of the Community council?
Daniel
Daniel agrees that Nash was never Chair, but he developed the idea for the PAC as an outside group appointed by the Vaad.
Hopeless
If Yossi is right, and he probably is close, it is going to cost the sh’chuna plenty! With ADAMS probably a shoo-in for state senator, and the incumbant assemblyman & council person we will have NO friends in government, even at the most insignificant level.
Daniel
Dear Hopeless:
How can you say we have no friends in government? Karim Camara, Eric Adams, and Letitia James are all good friends, promising to help the CHJCC and all mosdos whenever needed. Chanina hates Adams, but Chanina is only 1 of 22,000 yidden. Most of our electeds have Jewish aides, and are always responsive when called. Even Major Owens had a Jewish aide until Chanina blew it and backed Clarke against him 2 years ago: then the aide was given a pink slip. Way to go, Chanina.
Sperlin No More
I can’t believe there is even a debate on who we should vote for. David Yassky understands what it means to be Jewish, as he is one himself. Carl Andrews actually marched with the devil (Sharpton). Doesn’t that say something to anyone? Thank gd Sperlin is not involved in elections anymore, he embarasses the community with his poor speaking abilities (a five-year-old retarted boy has better social skills). Sperlin always has a knack for picking losers for his own personal gain with Norman.
Mordy
I do not understand why "Hopeless" is so hopeless. Eric Adams as a Senator is going to help Crown Heights. The new Assemblyman Camara is an honest guy–even if he came from Andrews and Norman–and has a bright future–he is fighting for tuition tax credits. Tish James in the City Council has provided funds beyond the JCC, to the yeshivas, social service centers, and does lots of good constituent work. Only Major Owens has been a dud in Congress.
sad but funny
It’s hysterically funny.
No Likuti Torahs in 770.
The Tzfatim stole all the Kehot and as a counter attack the Gaboim confiscated the Meshichist Printed ones thereby leaving none at all.
Joseph Steinherz
Too many comments on this issue switch seamlessly from discussion of the merits of the candidates to the alleged faults of our community leaders. Each of the candidates has a public record in our district or elsewhere. Even where there is no public record , there is visibility by virtue of kinship to the incumbent.
Comments on our communal leadership in this forum blur the focus that we should have on the political race. Additionally, our choices as individuals, whatever they may be are hopefully for the good of our shechuna.Introducing personal acrimony does our community no good. Lets try to focus on the records of the candidate in this race.
Magdeburger Chossid
It is amazing how many different people Carl Andrews has endorsing him. We need someone in our community who can work with people that we might not have good relations with. Such talent is a must in our district. I hope everyone will listen to common sense and vote for Andrews on Tuesday, September 12.