Harav Yisroel Reisman to Endorse Zeldin For Governor, Highlighting Yeshiva Issue

By Reuvain Borchardt

MIDWOOD — Harav Yisroel Reisman will endorse Lee Zeldin for governor, in a rare rabbinical political endorsement which highlights the perceived threat to the Orthodox community from impending regulations on the yeshiva curriculum.

“Our lives as Orthodox Jews in this state have never been so threatened as they are now, with the current education regulations,” Rav Reisman told Hamodia on Thursday, confirming the endorsement, which will be formally announced on Sunday. “Lee Zeldin had the courage to speak up for our yeshivos many months ago, not just as the election is coming down to the wire.”

Zeldin, a Republican congressman from Long Island, has criticized regulations passed by the state Board of Regents last month, that for the first time give the government the ability to mandate a specific secular studies curriculum on private schools.

Incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul has remained neutral on the issue, noting that the Education Department operates independently of the governor, despite repeated requests from Orthodox leadership to use her influence to prevent the regulations from being passed.

It is extremely rare for Rabbonim to make endorsements in political races, but Rav Reisman, Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Vodaath and Rav of Agudah of Madison, said that it is only due to the yeshiva issue that he is choosing to publicly support a candidate in the race.

“We would support Zeldin for his stances on crime and inflation anyway,” Rav Reisman said, but those issues alone would not have led him to make an endorsement. “But our community is laser-focused on the attack on our yeshivos.

“And we are very motivated to get out and vote.”

Rav Reisman will formally announce the endorsement along with Rabbi Avrohom Fruchthandler, President of Yeshiva Chaim Berlin, on Sunday, when Zeldin will visit the Orthodox neighborhoods of Midwood and Boro Park.

In a personal letter Monday to 5,000 Chaim Berlin alumni, Rabbi Fruchthandler urged them to vote for Zeldin, writing “Our chinuch and way-of-life” are “at stake.”

“Congressman Zeldin is proud to unequivocally stand with the frum community in defense of yeshiva education,” senior Zeldin campaign aide Arie Lipnick told Hamodia. “On November 8, New Yorkers will have the opportunity to join Rav Reisman and Rabbi Fruchthandler in support of chinuch, in support of public safety, and in support of Lee Zeldin for Governor.”

Politicos in the Orthodox community expect an overwhelming majority of the community to vote for Zeldin.

rborchardt@hamodia.com