Harav Shmuel Kamenetsky Endorses Lee Zeldin

By Reuvain Borchardt

Hagaon Harav Shmuel Kamenetsky, shlita, the rosh yeshiva of Philadelphia Yeshiva, on Monday made a rare endorsement for New York governor, encouraging the yeshiva community to vote for Lee Zeldin due to his support for yeshivas in the face of impending state regulations on private school curricula.

“We are all aware of the attack on Yeshivas in New York State,” Rav Shmuel writes. “New York needs a Governor that defends the Yeshivas.

“I therefore encourage everyone to vote for Mr. Lee Zeldin for Governor. Mr. Zeldin has pledged to help the Yeshivas, and Yeshivas will benefit from his governorship. When the Yeshivas benefit, Klal Yisrael benefits, and we have an obligation to help Klal Yisrael. Voting for Zeldin is doing something for Klal Yisrael.

“I hope that everyone understands that we are obligated to do this. We must take the time to go and vote for Lee Zeldin.”

Harav Yisroel Reisman, shlita, rosh yeshiva of Torah Vodaath and rav of Agudah of Madison, who previously also made a rare political endorsement for Zeldin, told Hamodia on Monday that a letter by the senior, venerated rosh yeshiva Rav Shmuel underscores the importance of the yeshiva issue, which rabbanim view as an existential threat.

“The Rosh Yeshiva understands the urgency of the situation,” Rav Reisman said. “His coming out with this statement the day before Election Day is intended to motivate us to show up at the polls. Let’s do it!”

The New York State Board of Regents in September passed regulations 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 not taken a stance when asked about 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.

Zeldin, a Republican congressman from Long Island seeking to oust Hochul, has repeatedly criticized regulations while campaigning aggressively in the Orthodox community.

At at rally in Williamsburg on Saturday night, Zeldin said, “It would be an honor to be the greatest champion of yeshiva education of anyone who has ever served as governor of the state of New York.”

Zeldin has received nearly all endorsements in the Orthodox community, primarily due to his stance on yeshivas, and he is expected to win an overwhelming majority of votes in the community, which could be key in a close race.

While no Republican has won a statewide race in deep-blue New York since 2002, polls show a tight race, as Zeldin has blamed Hochul for rising crime in the state, and Hochul has had to contend with anti-Democratic sentiment nationally due to economic troubles and rising inflation.

There were long lines at polling locations in the Orthodox communities of Boro Park, Williamsburg and Monsey on Sunday, the final day of early voting, indicating the community will see a large turnout of voters motivated by the yeshiva issue.

Election Day is Tuesday.

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rborchardt@hamodia.com