Boro Politics reports: The upcoming special election to succeed Simcha Felder for the 44th District City Council seat is shaping up as a political version of David versus Goliath, according to Hassidic and Orthodox Jewish political pundits in Borough Park.
But in this case, the David is candidate David Greenfield and the Goliath is longtime Assemblymember Dov Hikind.
“Hikind wants to crush Greenfield and everyone knows it,” said one highly knowledgeable political source.
Ironically, Greenfield got his political start working as Hikind’s chief of staff.
“Dov has earned the respect from everyone in the community for going beyond what an ordinary assemblyman can accomplish,” said Ezra Friedlander, CEO of the Friedlander Group, a leading government and public relations firm based in Borough Park. “But that said, this election will be closely watched for its implications not only pertaining to the actual candidates but to Dov Hikind, who is universally regarded for time immemorial as the tone setter of how the community should exercise its vote,”
At press time, the special election race looks to be a two-man contest between Greenfield and longtime civil servant Joe Lazar. Former State Sen. Seymour Lachman is also considering throwing his hat in the ring.
Lazar recently received Hikind’s blessing after the assembly member struck a deal with Borough Park’s Hasidic community, according to sources.
Hikind originally wanted former City Councilmember and current Civil Court Judge Noach Dear to run against Greenfield, but met with resistance from the Hasidic community, who were considering putting up their own candidate.
Hikind, who has been in office 28 years, refused comment on the race through his office.
Dear could not be reached for comment, but political observers feel that Dear will not run at the risk of losing his judgeship.
Sources said the Hasidic community felt Hikind turned his back on them by supporting pro-choice and pro-gay marriage candidate Brad Lander in his recent and successful run for the 39th City Council district, which also covers a small portion of Borough Park. That community backed conservative Democrat John Heyer, and Heyer wound up winning the Borough Park portion of the district, 1,245 to 219 or roughly 6-to-1 vote.
“There was a certain expectation that the community should not back a different candidate then Dov, but no one anticipated John Heyer galvanizing the Hasidic community the way he did,” said one source, adding that Hikind decided to go with Lazar so as not to impose his will on the Hasidic community the way he attempted to do with Lander.
“This is an indirect referendum on Dov Hikind, no question about it,” said another source. “If Greenfield wins, the era of Dov Hikind as the supreme ruler of Borough Park and the community is over.”
Yet, while a Greenfield victory would hurt Hikind’s role in the area as kingmaker, he still remains hugely popular in Borough Park. Hikind knows how to work with people and his assembly seat would not be in jeopardy, sources said.
(Source: http://www.boropolitics.com/stories/2/3/02_03_44_hikind.html)
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18 Responses
I’d say that precisely for this reason all Bensonhurst, Boro Park and Midwood voters should go out and support David Greenfield come election day. Who does Hikind think he is- Daas Torah? I’ll tell you who he is. He’s an uncontested assemblyman in a Jewish district with no one with guts to stand up against him as he will strong-arm everyone against you. He is someone who has hardly accomplished anything for his constituence (except if he owns a house in the Shomron) besides taking up on other potential askanim e.g. Felder, Dear and now Greenfield. It’s simple math, Greenfield with a mind of his own and being a young fellow has much potential becoming a politician of the higher caliber, thus a threat to Hikind, vs. Joe Lazar a pawn for Hikind, up to retire upon the completion of his council term is the best this for this power-hungry, same-old-politics politician. Dov, PLEASE mind your own business and let voters vote based upon their own decision and don’t use institutions and organization that recieve grants through you to push them against their own consciense.
to tell the truth i really don’t know who David Greenfield is . i mite know him by face and have sometimes said hellow to him at community board 12 meetings . however i do know what Dov Hikind stands for , and that is not to help the average person . let me just list a few items here.
it is very nice that his wife calls his radio show to offer moral support . that is what all good jewish women should do. however when on the dov hikind radio show last saturday night on january 16th Joe Lazar tells Shaney Hikind on the air live i love you Shaney for what she just said there is a major problem here . a religous person no matter what , should never tell a married religous women i love you . there is no excuse for that no matter what and this is something that we should take into consideration when we pull that lever for that special election to replace simcha felder.
my second point is as follow . the storey that is shown below i clipped from the times herold website .
times Herald-Record
Posted: January 22, 2010 – 2:00 AM
One night this month, a group of businessmen and political leaders met with Gov. Paterson in Kiryas Joel and reached for their checkbooks and credit cards – pumping a total of $140,200 into his campaign coffers.
Nine days later, when Paterson outlined his budget plans for the coming fiscal year, buried in the details was a provision his benefactors in Kiryas Joel wanted: one that would enable students at a local rabbinical college to claim annual tuition grants of as much as $5,000 a year.
The Jan. 10 fundraiser, which followed one held in the same home for another state leader three weeks earlier, represents a new element of Kiryas Joel’s influence in Albany, which has relied until now on cultivating relationships and delivering voting blocs.
The tools now include campaign cash, the same currency used by unions and other interest groups seeking to sway government policy and spending.
The fundraisers for Paterson and John Sampson – leader of the Democratic majority in the state Senate – were hosted by Akiva Klein, a wealthy businessman who serves on the board of directors of the rabbinical school, known as UTA Mesivta of Kiryas Joel.
He didn’t return calls for comment.
Campaign finance records show he gave $10,000 to Paterson and $5,000 to Sampson, who collected $45,000 in Kiryas Joel on Dec. 21.
Most of the 29 Paterson donors gave $5,000 or more; none gave less than $1,000. Sampson’s 12 donations ranged from $2,000 to $5,000.
Jacob Freund, a community leader who attended the Paterson fundraiser, said it was organized to seek help for parochial schools, although he didn’t specify what requests were made.
“Gov. Paterson said, ‘I will look into that,’” Freund recalled.
The budget that Paterson introduced Tuesday proposes to offer tuition aid at colleges that are now ineligible: “Certain specialized faith-related institutions that primarily offer religious instruction or train members of the clergy.”
One school that fits that description is UTA Mesivta of Kiryas Joel, where boys 16 years and older study religious texts.
Some 1,161 students were enrolled there in the fall of 2008, according to the federal Education Department.
State budget spokesman Matt Anderson says the policy change – which would apply to about 40 schools and cost an estimated $12.8 million for the first year – was meant to match federal rules, which allow tuition grants for such schools.
“We’re simply addressing an inequity in the current system,” he said.
Tracy Sefl, a spokeswoman for Paterson’s campaign, denied any political motivations.
“It’s something that he believes in and agrees with,” she said.
Federal records show that students attending UTA Mesivta got $6.2 million in federal Pell Grants in the last federal fiscal year.
this is what dov hekind should be doing for us and he is not doing that . this is the help that all our families need.
Isn’t this Loshon Horo in its worst form?? Informing “Reuven” that “Shimon” is his enemy??? Over here its worse because its being seen by thousands of people.
#3, Do you own a business with workers? Are you an employer with employees? If so, how would you like that someone that works for you truthfully spies for your competitor and no one tells you about it because of Loshon Hora? A person is obligated to tell someone something if it has an effect on him and he can do something to change it as is explained in Chofetz Chaim. An elected official is employed by his voters and constituences. One MUST notify the public of his doing in order to review his record and either keep him or oust him. Going against our needs and will is just like a worker killing his employers business.
Thank you YWN for the totally, not at all biased reporting. Its good to know that YWN is above picking sides in every petty argument.
Its amazing are all these comments written by David Greenfield Supporters correct me if im wrong But Dov Dedicated most of his life for Us ands I will definetly continue to look for him to guide us here. All these comments sound like a Greenfields smear campaign
NYJ
1. We have good memories in Boro Park. We remember when Dov would knock the Gedolim and the Agudah on a regular basis on his radio show, for not getting involved with his molestation issue. Now all of a sudden when it suits him, the Aguda’s candidate is decisive as to who to vote for. Does this make sense to you??
2. Question, Simcha Felder was touted by Dov to be a great guy. Then when he becomes to “powerful” and a “threat”, he’s persona non grata. Does Dov think we are stupid??
3. Councilman to be Greenfield was chosen by Dov to be his chief of staff for good reason. When he appears to be a threat to Dov’s monopoly, their realtionship “sours”. Does Dov think we are stupid??
4. Pinny Ringel was a regular on the radio show and touted as a “great guy”. When he makes mention of his thoughts of running for city council, he presents as a threat to Dov’s monopoly, and their realtionship “sours”. Does Dov think we are stupid??
DOV, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR US LATELY???
1.I’d say that precisely for this reason all Bensonhurst, Boro Park and Midwood voters should go out and support David Greenfield come election day. Who does Hikind think he is- Daas Torah? I’ll tell you who he is. He’s an uncontested assemblyman in a Jewish district with no one with guts to stand up against him as he will strong-arm everyone against you. He is someone who has hardly accomplished anything for his constituence (except if he owns a house in the Shomron) besides taking up on other potential askanim e.g. Felder, Dear and now Greenfield. It’s simple math, Greenfield with a mind of his own and being a young fellow has much potential becoming a politician of the higher caliber, thus a threat to Hikind, vs. Joe Lazar a pawn for Hikind, up to retire upon the completion of his council term is the best this for this power-hungry, same-old-politics politician. Dov, PLEASE mind your own business and let voters vote based upon their own decision and don’t use institutions and organization that recieve grants through you to push them against their own consciense.
Calling Dov Hikind Goliath is really silly and uninformed.
Spend a day in his office and you will see that he is available to people that no one is interested in. He’s stepped up the plate over and over again in ways that many people would not and that were not always to his personal benefit.
Go on in with a problem and see the response you get. And notice the way senior citizens are treated.
And correct me if I’m wrong but my impression is that YWN supports David Greenfield. Maybe that isn’t the case but it certainly appears that way.
#6 I’m not David Greenfield and here you have the reason why Dov Hikind wants David Greenfield off the map:
Today’s News Friday, January 15, 2010
Brooklyn Race Tightens
Assemblyman Dov Hikind and some Borough Park Hasidic leaders have resolved to back Joe Lazar for the seat being vacated Jan. 31 by City Councilman Simcha Felder. “It’s a coalition to stop David Greenfield,” says a source, referring to the other top contender. Greenfield was once Hikind’s chief of staff but did not leave on good terms, and later irked Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver by urging Silver’s constituents to demand a tax credit for parochial school parents. Assemblyman Vito Lopez, the Brooklyn Democratic leader, is backing Greenfield, the source says. March 23 is the expected election date. Moishe Oiring says he’ll run a self-funded campaign with money from his parents, but insiders write him off. Civil Court Judge Noach Dear, Felder’s predecessor, will not run.
Read it again: Greenfield irked Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver (Dov Hikind’s boss) by urging Silver’s constituents to demand a tax credit for parochial (includes Yeshivas if you don’t know)school parents.
Now explain to me who is Dov Hikind representing? Why are we not allowed to ask for Tax Credits?
The answer is very simple: Does anyone remember when Felder ran for the State Senate Dov endorsed Kevin Parker who Dov called a anti semite at an Agudah Meeting? Cause Felder is also for Yeshiva tax credits and Felder & Greenfield are a threat to Shelly Silver and Dov knows that if he endorses someone that Shelly doesn’t like he will be in big trouble.
I think I said enough. YWN: please post my comment so the truth comes out. enough with this dirty politics and we Yeshiva Parents suffer.
#2, you are naïve if you think that $5000 a year grants were a direct resulf of that $140,000 donation. It takes months to put together a budget not a few days! I will back Greenfeild but let’s not miscontrue everything here.
Looks like Hikind may yet get to live in his Efrat villa, should he lose the vote.
How is Hikind’s Hebrew? Is he viewed as a shtikel “Kahanist”?
Could Hikind make an impression on the Israeli right-wing scene?
Maybe at 60 it’s time for him to retire from NY politics!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dov_Hikind
Let’s call it like it is. Hikind’s friends and “enemies” alike will tell you that he has always served his own personal interests before the community’s. This was true during his so-called activist days and hold true now. Hikind’s constituents should carefully watch his current methods and sordid motivation and retrieve those memories when he’s up for re-election. Also, Jewish organizations that support Hikind regardless of his shenanigans should be held responsible as well. Greenfield sounds like a solid candidate that will represent the district very capably and honestly.
If we can just analyze for a second, why does Dov Hikind hate David Greenfield?
David Greenfield has founded an organization called “Teach NYS” this organizations sole purpose is to lobby Albany to provide tuition benefits for NYS residents, who choose to send their children to the higher level of education private schools.
It costs NYC $13,500 to educate 1 child in public school for one year, while the average for private schools is $8,500 for the same child and year.
Parents who choose to send their children to private school pay taxes just as much as parents who send their children to Public Schools.
The speaker of the Assembly, Sheldon Silver is apposed to these tuition benefits. He believes that ” whats good for the goose, is good for the gander” Sheldon Silver sees David Greenfield as an ultimate threat towards him and the Assembly.
So, Sheldon Silver has commanded his puppets to act hostile towards David Greenfield. David Greenfield is a threat to their very way of life. He undermines their very existence.
The community needs fresh blood. We don’t need old politicians long past their prime, dictating to the community who we should vote for. We can make an educated decision by ourselves. We need someone who has fresh blood but understands how to work the system.
Now, there are three candidates running for this position.
There is Joe Lazar, who used to work for the Department of Buildings. (Ever call up a government agency for something? See how efficiently their run?)
There is Jonathon Judge, who is running on the republican ticket, (He has the right ideas, but lacks any political experience)
Then there is David Greenfield, who is the Director of the Sephardic Jewish Federation. He has worked for Dov Hikind, Joseph Lieberman, and has lobbied in Albany for a few years for “Teach NYS”
We can make our own decision.
DISCLAIMER:I don’t have anything to do with any of the 44th district city council candidates. I am just a citizen who is stating his own opinion. I have been posting on TheYeshivaWorld for a few years now, so you can see that I have nothing to do with any politicians.
# 10 the point that i’m trying to make is as follows if people in a small town outside nyc can get these benefits then why can’t Dov Hikind get us these same benefits . as a religious jew he should be able to do the same thing for us.
#13, I don’t think anyone here is employed by either campaign as he would do better than leaving comments on a blog, and they know it. It is anger, as the Jewish Press wrote after the city council 39 district election “Hikind Has To Mend Fences With The Community”, well he hasn’t and he’s showing us now that he hasn’t as Scott Brown would say: This isn’t Hikind’s seat – This is the people’s seat!
Oy-vey, all this slander and mud-slinging.
I think the Satmar Rebbe, Reb Yel, ZT”L, was right. We’re better off supporting non-Jews who are sympathetic to us than fielding our own candidates, who may sell us out to promote their own personal ambitions.
DOV IS BEHAVING AS A REAL POLITICIAN, BUT WE ARE JEWS!
I’m appalled by Dov’s explicit manuvering in this race, which is obvious Kinah Sinah. It is the norm in Washington, Albany and City Hall, but it shouldn’t be the norm in a political race between Frum candidates.
Its clear and widely reported that Dov is out to DEFEAT one candidate, instead of ELECTING one. Dov played his cards open, that he wants EVERYBODY BUT GREENFIELD. Joe Lazar, according to several news reports, is only his second option. He actually tried to force him out, and to get Dear running, because he saw him as more electable, and stronger against Greenfield.
This is exactly why people hate politics, because politicians are using the public to settle private scores. As Jews, this is against all the Midos we learn and try to uphold on a personal level, and we shouldn’t aid and abate such a Nkamah Ntirah on the public arene.
Even worse, the score Dov want to settle with David, is because David fought for us. Hikind’s problem with Greenfield is that he fought to hard with his leader, Shelly Silver, to get assistance for Yeshiva parents, against the wishes of the liberal interests Silver is beholden to.
We should vote against Hikind dirty and un-Jewish campaign!
We shouldn’t help him settle scores that is against our intrests.
Dov claims that Lazar has brought MILLIONS into the community “mosdos” over the past years.
SHOW US THE MONEY, in whose pocket did it go?
Read Hamodia Magazine regarding record Poverty in Boro Park!
Ask Masbia regarding record Poverty in Boro Park!
Ask Tomchei Shabas regarding record Poverty in Boro Park.
We still have the KIDs @ Risk despite the millions that Dov claims to have received from Albany. In whose pocket did the money go?
Ask Asher Lipner, why he no longer appears on the Dov Hikind Show and no longer works for OHEL.
Dov, your gig is up. Time for change with proven results. DAVID CAN SHOW US THE MONEY, DOV CAN YOU?
By the way, Dov who pays for all those trips to Israel??