YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of NYS Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz of Queens. He was approximately 45-years-old and had been battling an illness for a few years.

He was an Assemblyman since 2011.

Michael grew up in the Forest Hills section of Queens, and as a child, studied at Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe.

He served as a tremendous voice for the Jewish community, and his passing is a terrible loss for our community and for the State of New York.

NY State Assemblyman Dov Hikind released the following statement to YWN:

“I’m still in shock learning this terribly sad news just after Shabbos,” said Hikind. “Michael was a friend and an outstanding colleague; a proud Jew who loved his family, loved his community, and loved the Jewish people. He was as good as G-d makes people, a star, a real mensch. I will miss him very much. May his family be comforted with the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.”

Chaskel Bennett, a member of Agudath Israel Board of Trustees told YWN that he and Simanowitz were childhood friends, having attended Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe in Queens together as elementary school students.

“Michael was always a protector”, Bennett said. “‎He just had a natural instinct to protect the most vulnerable among us. His passing creates a void that will be extremely difficult to fill.‎ His voice, his tenacity and his willingness to stand up on behalf of our community and yeshiva children will be extraordinarily hard to replace. I am heartbroken,” said Bennett.​‎

NY Governor Cuomo released the following statement:

“Assembly member Michael Simanowitz worked every day to make life better for his constituents and I join them and all New Yorkers in mourning his sudden passing.

“We shared a love for our home borough of Queens and a belief in public service as a vehicle for positive change. As an Assembly member and prior to that a staffer, he was widely respected by his peers and his partners in government.

“Michael was also a man of faith and, first and foremost, a dedicated family man whose efforts were in the service of a better future for his children and everyone’s children.

“I send my deepest condolences to his wife Jennifer, his four children and his other loved ones, friends and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.

“Yehi Zichro Baruch, may his memory be a blessing.”

The Levaya information will be published when it becomes available.

Boruch Dayan HaEmmes…

(Chaim Shapiro – YWN)