Many local politicians were unhappy with the proposed legislative lines released by Albany’s redistricting task force, but Assemblyman Dov Hikind said the plans for the “Super Jewish” Senate District 17 are “absolutely wonderful.”
“If all this ends up being the case and this district stands I think it will be absolutely wonderful,” Mr. Hikind told The Politicker.
Along with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Mr. Hikind is one of New York’s most prominent Orthodox political leaders. The proposed Senate District 17 has been described as “Super Jewish” because it consolidates much of the Orthodox community in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn.
“I’ve always felt and have said it publicly, that communities should be left intact,” Mr. Hikind said. “Communities that share philosophical goals and ideals should stay together. I think it’s absolutely great and I can tell you that people in these communities would be very, very happy to have this happen.”
Mr. Hikind’s enthusiasm for the District 17 proposal was shared by Orthodox advocacy group Agudath Israel.
“The district reflects the orthodox community’s interests. The lines reflect where the orthodox community lives and we believe that this is a very positive move in order to make sure that our voices are heard and that our issues are dealt with effectively,” Shmuel Lefkowitz, Agudath’s top lobbyist in Albany, told The Politicker.
Governor Andrew Cuomo has repeatedly vowed to veto any district lines drawn by the Legislature rather than through an independent process. Shortly after the new lines were released, the governor’s office described the redistricting proposals as “simply unacceptable” and said they “would be vetoed by the governor.”
In spite of the Governor’s opposition, Mr. Hikind is confident the proposed boundaries for Assembly districts will stand, though the Senate lines may face challenges.
“I think the Assembly lines will end up pretty much staying the way they are now,” Mr. Hikind said. “There might be a challenge to the whole thing, but I think the speaker and those who worked on it did a very good job being responsive to the needs of minorities, for example the two Asian districts.”
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10 Responses
One “super-Jewish” district could actually diminish the political power of the community. One district=one vote. Voters spread-out over a number of districts might actually have more of an impact.
(and who came-up with the phrase “super-Jewish”??)
I’m so excited, does that mean we get another do-nothing Jew, (which we must support) to represent us i Albany.
a man which has been in the assembly for 25 years should normally be sitting on -or more likely chair- some powerful commeete. why has our frum Jew done nothing for us other then talk to the press about anti-antisemitism.
an writing artical in the paper that we call African Americans shvatzes dose not really help fight anti-antisemitism.
Unless it results in a Republican winning the seat, it will be meaningless. Would we want yet another “frum” Democrat who ignores the halachic objections to gay rights and abortion and prostitutes himself and his constituents for extra patronage and entitlements?
But if that district voted Republican, it could have an imipact, especially if it affected control of the Senate. A Frum Republican Senator could rise to become a significant force in the Senate (unlike frum Democrats who are marginalized if they remain frum and oppose abortion and gay rights), and could create a basis for rebuilding a Republican party in Brooklyn. Also it means there would be a frum Conservative in politics (the closest now is Eric Cantor and he’s “conservadox”).
I would also “support” a “super jewish” district, but its just not democratic……….
I don’t know, it sort of sounds like the beginning of a ghetto to me.
This report troubles me. I was initially excited over the idea. However, this report confirmed the fact that the candidate will be a Hikind-Lefkowitz proxy.
Nice to know Dov is actually in favor of something. . . .
I agree with number 2
A person is what his name is
Hikind is a “hinkindiker”
He only puts his nose where it should not be.
There is a saying
A few coins in a tzadaka box
Just make a lot of noise
So the latest news is Lefkowitz bought Aguda, one brother is their man in Albany, the other brother is kong of nursing homes, chairman of Maimonides owner of Metropolitan geriatric, founder/operator of Chayim Aruchim. How much does one have to pay to take over what was once a “klal Yisroel” movement. Rabbi Sherer would never have allowed such a thing…..