Cuomo Seeks Frum Support for NYC Mayor After Misleading and Discriminating Against Jews During COVID

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is reportedly reaching out to New York City’s Yeshiva and Chassidish community leaders in a bid to regain their support for his anticipated NYC Mayoral run, according to multiple insiders who spoke with Belaaz Tuesday.

Cuomo once enjoyed a warm relationship with the Frum world, frequently called out antisemitism and signed laws banning the BDS movement from being supported by public funds.

Even after resigning ofice in 2021 amid allegations of harassment, Cuomo continued to make statements against antisemitism and in support of Israel, especially after the Oct. 7 massacre. This week, when murdered hostages Shiri, Ariel and Kefir Bibas Hy”d were returned from Hamas captivity, Cuomo wrote on social media: “United in profound sorrow our hearts break with the unspeakable pain of the murders of Shiri Bibas and her two precious and innocent children. United in anger we say to the world – no more.”

But memories of Cuomo’s treatment of the community during the pandemic are still fresh in the minds of the Orthodox Jewish community. Cuomo skewed data to make it seem as though a disproportionate amount of spread, in what he called “red zones,” was rampant in Boro Park, Williamsburg, Monroe and other heavily Jewish areas.

In addition, when Cuomo was deciding regulations on houses of prayer early on in the pandemic, he told Jewish community leaders on a conference call that they would be allowed to operate at 50% capacity – only to switch the limit to 10% the same day when giving a public address.

He also used harsher language when talking about the Charedi community than with other demographics.

After Agudath Israel successfully sued the state over its treatment of the Jewish community during the Pandemic, Cuomo was reportedly furious, according to community sources.

However, askanim are currently faced with a dilemma: Cuomo is ahead in early polling data as the favorite to replace beleaguered Mayor Eric Adams, charged with bribery and accused by his political foes of currying favor to the Trump Administration, and it would be disadvantageous to not have supported Cuomo during his run if he wins. Cuomo is also the most conservative candidate besides Adams, who will likely not run for reelection if he doesn’t first resign. The former Governor is far more pro-Israel than the likes of Brad Lander, who has associated with Pro-Hamas groups. On the other hand, even if Cuomo is the best option politically, it will be very difficult for the askanim to convince their constituency to support him after the way he treated them.

Cuomo and his team are well aware of this conundrum, the sources said.

The sources added that an easy way to remedy the situation would be for Cuomo to flatly apologize for his actions against the community, but the community insiders say that there’s almost no chance of that happening, knowing his personality.