Local Leaders and Hundreds Gather in Kew Gardens Hills to Support Israel
and Oppose Extremism in Mayoral Race
On Sunday afternoon, October 26, a large crowd gathered at the Queens Public Library on Vleigh Place in Kew Gardens Hills to show support for Israel and mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo. Local rabbanim, elected officials, and community leaders joined in a strong show of unity. Community security was visible from the start, with volunteers from Queens Shmira helping manage the crowd, as TV cameras from various local and national media outlets were present. The crowd stretched down the block, with attendees waving signs that read “Stand with Israel” and “No to Extremism.”
Dr. Paul Brody, Great Neck activist and ZOA President of the Queens & L.I. chapter, opened the rally by singing Hatikvah, Israel’s national anthem, and reminded everyone that the anthem speaks of resilience and determination, linking the moment to Queens’ political legacy. Brody recalled standing at this very corner in 1982, when Mario Cuomo, then trailing in the polls, surged to victory after a rally here. “I was here that day,” he said. “Queens has the power to change history; we’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again. This community’s voice is powerful, and we stand united for Israel.”
KGH’s own Cantor Shaya Lloyd, performing live on keyboard, then led the gathering in the Star-Spangled Banner.
The rally’s location—Haym Salomon Triangle—carried symbolic weight. Haym Salomon was a Polish-born Jewish patriot and financier who funded the American Revolution, supporting George Washington’s army during its most critical moments. Holding this rally at a site bearing his name underscored the enduring role of the Jewish community in America’s story.
Mr. Michael Nussbaum, former President of the Queens Jewish Community Council (QJCC), officially opened the program by thanking District Leader Shimi Pelman, Alan Sherman, and Rabbi Yaniv Meirov for their help in organizing the event. Nussbaum, a longtime neighborhood fixture, spoke about the community’s deep roots. “We will not be erased from the fabric of New York City, from its culture, from its politics, or from its future,” he declared.
Rabbi Yaniv Meirov, rav of Congregation Charm Circle and CEO of Chazaq, then led the crowd in T’hilim. He reminded attendees that two years earlier, they had gathered on this block to pray for the hostages, and this year they could say Mizmor L’Sodah, thanking Hashem for their release. “May we continue to hear only good news,” he concluded.
Mrs. Sorolle Idels, Chairperson of the Queens Jewish Alliance, brought lively energy to the stage. “Mi k’amcha Yisrael – who is like the Jewish nation? We get knocked down time and time again.” Quoting Vehi She’amda, she reminded the audience: “In every generation they rise against us, but HaKadosh Baruch Hu saves us. We need a mayor who will help us!” She also noted that Andrew Cuomo wore a yellow hostage pin from the start. “Today is the first day of early voting,” she urged. “Election Day is Tuesday, November 4. Don’t let apathy take over!”
Jeff Wiesenfeld, former treasurer of the World Jewish Congress, followed with a sharp address. He invoked the words of Daniel Patrick Moynihan: “You’re entitled to your own opinion, not to your own facts.” He shared that over 1,000 rabbis from across all denominations have spoken out against Zohran Mamdani. Wiesenfeld denounced Mamdani’s radicalism and reminded the crowd of the expulsion of 800,000 Jews from Muslim lands and resettlement in Israel. Despite Israel’s repeated peace offers, the response has always been terror, culminating on October 7 with the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. “Mamdani’s parents are both rabid anti-Semites,” Wiesenfeld added. “He pretends to be a victim while leading groups like Students for Justice in Palestine that make life miserable for Jewish students,” adding, “This is not Jews versus Muslims. This is decent New Yorkers against jihadists like Mamdani.”
Adam Orlow, former President of the Queens County Bar Association, spoke next. He described how Mamdani stood outside Senator Schumer’s home just six days after October 7 with a ‘Genocide in Palestine’ sign. “This was before a single IDF soldier entered Gaza,” he said. “It was a lie created to stir up hate. I’ve always loved this city. I’ve never felt like an outsider, but Mamdani wants to arrest the Prime Minister of Israel if he visits New York City. He doesn’t say that about Assad or Putin. His double standard is pure antisemitism.” Orlow then appealed to Curtis Sliwa: “Mr. Sliwa is a good man, but he has the opportunity to do something great—drop out so we can unite behind Andrew Cuomo and make him the next mayor of New York City.”
Rubin Davidoff, a respected Bukharian community leader, recalled how Bukharian Jews fled the Soviet Union seeking freedom. “We ran from socialism,” he said. “Socialism doesn’t work. Only a few privileged people do well while everyone else suffers. We won’t let anyone tear down what we built.”
Assemblymember David Weprin expressed concern that for the first time in over 30 years of public service, Jewish New Yorkers do not feel safe in their city. He praised Cuomo’s 2016 anti-BDS executive order: “If you boycott Israel, we will boycott you,” and urged voters not to split the opposition.
NYC Council Member Jim Gennaro then addressed the crowd. His presence carried particular significance. In 2021, he was among the earliest prominent Democrats to call for Cuomo’s resignation. Yet here he stood, calling Mamdani an “anti-Semitic hate zombie” and urging voters to unite behind Cuomo. His public shift underscored the urgency of this election and the growing coalition opposing Mamdani.
Assemblyman Sam Berger echoed this message, emphasizing the stakes for Jewish families. “Mamdani’s false accusations are slandering Jewish New Yorkers’ families. The only bill Mamdani has ever passed was a bill against Israel,” he said. “Today we stand for Israel, for our families, and for New York. Today we stand with Andrew Cuomo because he stood by us when times were tough.”
When Andrew Cuomo finally stepped forward, the crowd quieted. “It’s a pleasure to be home,” he began. “I’m a proud son of Queens, and my father was a proud son of Queens. He would shed a tear that we need to be here today. This is not the New York City I grew up in.”
Cuomo outlined his platform: building affordable housing, improving public safety, hiring 5,000 more police officers, and revitalizing the local economy. “You need a mayor who knows how to make government work,” he said. “I’ve done that all my life.” He listed accomplishments from his time as governor: balanced budgets, tax cuts, job creation, and infrastructure modernization. “Being mayor of New York City should not be your first job,” he said. “We don’t want an apprentice mayor.”
He then denounced Mamdani’s divisive politics. “The mayor’s job is not to be a messenger but a manager,” he said. “We resent the idea of a mayor being a divisive force. He should be ashamed.” Cuomo highlighted Mamdani’s refusal to denounce ‘Globalize the Intifada.’ “His friends have said America deserved 9/11—and he goes along with it. He glorifies convicted Hamas leaders and refuses to recognize Israel’s right to exist. You need a mayor who will protect the Jewish community. I will protect every Jewish New Yorker—I give you my word.”
Cuomo noted that Mamdani’s extremism extends beyond Israel. “He gave the finger to the statue of Columbus—an insult to Italian Americans. He’s an extremist and a danger to New York. He doesn’t understand what makes this city so special.”
Cuomo ended with a clear message: “This city welcomes everyone: Christians, Muslims, Jews, Black, white, gay, straight. We celebrate our diversity, and that’s what makes us strong. You attack any of us, and you attack all of us!” The crowd broke into chants of “Cuomo! Cuomo!”
“It’s up to you,” he said in closing. “Vote like you’ve never voted before. This is a vote to save our city. G-d bless you.”
Among the many distinguished attendees were prominent rabbinic leaders and community figures, including Rabbi Dovid Harris, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim; and Rabbi Hayim Schwartz, Executive Director of the Rabbinical Seminary of America, who encouraged its talmidim to attend the rally, which took place during the yeshivah’s lunch break. Additionally, Rabbi Binyomin Mittel and Rabbi Leibel Rockove of Congregation Nachlas Avos of Richmond Hill; Rabbi Dov Lerner of Young Israel of Jamaica Estates; Rabbi Yitzchok Wolowik; Rabbi Zalman Zvulonov; and Rabbi Asher Vaknin of BJCC–Ohr Avner. Their presence reflected the broad coalition that had gathered in support of Israel and against extremism, underscoring the depth of communal engagement and unity on display.
