(New York Jewish Week) – Fourteen rabbis and Orthodox community leaders from Queens were among the 400 faith leaders who endorsed Gov. Kathy Hochul’s bid for her first full term as governor. The list released by the Hochul campaign Thursday included Christian, Jewish and Muslim clergy and activists. The only Jewish endorsers listed are the Orthodox rabbis and community leaders from Queens. A source close to the Hochul administration told the New York Jewish Week that the list is a starting point and that “many more” Jewish leaders support Hochul. In regards to the Orthodox community of Brooklyn, the source said that the governor is planning to do more outreach there in the weeks to come. 

One of the rabbis on the list, Baruch Rothman of Yeshiva Ateres Shimon in Far Rockaway, said that Hochul is a leader who listens to the concerns of his community. 

“She shares our Jewish values of promoting equality and civil rights as well as standing up for what is right,” Rothman said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Governor Hochul to promote the ideals of the Jewish community in the years to come.” 

Rabbi Moishe Indig, an activist with the Satmar Hasidic community in Brooklyn, said that the fact that no Satmar leaders were on the list “does not mean we are not endorsing her.” “Today is Purim, and we are getting ready for Passover,” Indig said. “People are paying attention to that, and then right after, we’ll start paying attention to politics.” Indig added that Hochul is a friend to the community and thinks that “she’s doing a great job.” In a statement, Hochul said that she will “always be an ally to the Jewish community” and will make addressing the rise in hate crimes against the Jewish community “a top priority.” 

Hochul is gearing up for the Democratic primary in June. Her likely Democratic rivals will include U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, a moderate from Long Island, and NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a progressive. U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, the Jewish Republican from Long Island, is seeking his party’s nomination for governor. 

Main Photo: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks in New York City, August 26, 2021. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)