Message from R’ Schonfeld: R’ Yoel Schonfeld

It was a classic meeting of titans of opposing views. Zohran Mamdani and Donald Trump. The ultimate capitalist with the ultimate socialist. The meeting went surprisingly well. Donald Trump was effusive in his praise of Mamdani. He said that he believes that Mamdani will make a great mayor. He said they both have the welfare of New York City in mind. And Mamdani was all smiles. Trump diffused what could have been an ugly encounter

There is the Satmar of unsurpassed chesed. No one parallels Satmar when it comes to charitable causes. Whether it is lending a helping hand to the less fortunate, or it is bikur cholim – visiting and providing for the sick – no organization surpasses Satmar. Satmar has also created two wonderful communities in Williamsburg and Monroe. They are communities rich in services and charity. They also have batei midrash – study halls – in which there is a constant presence of men sitting and learning Torah.

The election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York City is total insanity. Electing a Muslim whose only regret about 9/11 is that his supposed aunt was uncomfortable wearing a hijab on the subway following the destruction of the World Trade Center by extremist Muslims says goodbye to the “We will never forget” slogan adopted by New Yorkers. We have forgotten.

I must begin by mentioning Rabbi Moshe Hauer z”l. Rabbi Hauer, National Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union (OU) for the last five years, died suddenly in his home on Sh’mini Atzeres night. His loss is incalculable. Although I had frequent disagreements with Rabbi Hauer over policy issues, he nevertheless was a first-class gentleman.

Last week, Kevin Roberts, the President of the Heritage Foundation, a prestigious conservative think tank, issued a video in which he made it very clear that they will stick by their association with Tucker Carlson, despite his anti-Israel and anti-Semitic stances. Worse, Carlson invited as a guest the virulently anti-Semitic Nick Fuentes.

In truth, I knew nothing about Charlie Kirk. Yes, I had heard his name, but I thought he was just another influencer with not much to peddle. Then came that horrific moment when Charlie was assassinated. My kids reacted as though they had lost a personal friend, and so did countless others. I was immediately sent numerous clips of him engaging students in debates, with Charlie advocating conservative ideals. Afterwards, I saw Charlie fiercely debate in favor of Israel during the Gaza War.