Speaking before hundreds of congregates of the Satmar community in Williamsburg, Sunday evening, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio promised the community’s empowerment if elected as mayor of NYC. “I need your help, but I want to ask you to vote for another reason: For the empowerment of this community, because it is so important that this community show its real vital importance to New York City by representing its strength at the voting booth,” Mr. de Blasio said.

“People make assumptions. But one thing is a fact: When you come out and vote you show the full strength of the community. I need your help but your vote will also help to make sure policies change for the benefit of the community,” he added.

“I will never forget the support you’ve given me,” he further pledged.

“Bill de Blasio has a proven record of sensitivity to the Jewish community,” said Rabbi Moshe Hirsch. “he has shown his deep understanding of our unique values and concerns, throughout his years in public office. His door was always open for our community.”

“We have no doubt that Bill de Blasio will continue to prove himself loyal to our community in City Hall. He’s an honest man, a true and trusted friend who’ll make a great mayor,” Hirsch added.”

In a brief appearance at the Yeshiva Machzikei Hadas of Belz annual dinner, on the week of his kick-off for mayor in January, the Public Advocate was introduced by the chairman of the event as “the next mayor of New York City.” The estimated crowd of 1,500 participants enthusiastically applauded his presence.

One of the Belzer community’s activists, Mr. Eliezer Igel, said, “Don’t forget your own communities, which are all standing behind you.”

Remembering Mayor Ed Koch, Mr. Igel expressed his confidence in de Blasio filling that vacuum. “People in this community will not forget 32 years ago when our community (Belz) was threatened to a certain extent. At the time, Ed Koch went way beyond his call of duty to protect our community. And we did not forget 32 years later,” he said.

“So, I want you to know,” Mr. Igel continued, “this community is growing, and we do not forget the people that stand behind us and support us. So in the name of this community, we bless you that you should continue being Advocate of New York City, but in the position of mayor, so that we will all be able to say, ‘Bill de blasio, the great mayor of New York City,’” Mr Igel concluded to enormous applause.

According to the most recent polls, Bill de Blasio is leading all of his Democratic rivals by a large 16-19 point margin.

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(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)