Cuomo holds call with Jewish leaders amid rise in antisemitic incidents

Image by Governor Andrew Cuomo/Flickr

By Jacob Kornbluh June 7, 2021

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo spoke with a dozen Jewish leaders on Monday to discuss the recent rise in antisemitic incidents and new guidelines on hospital visitation amid a dramatic reduction in coronavirus cases, according to several participants.

Participants in the call included leaders of the UJA Federation of New York, the Orthodox Union, representatives of the large Hasidic sects and several rabbis.

In the 45-minute call, Cuomo highlighted the deployment of state police to Jewish communities across the state. “Your fight is my fight,” one participant quoted Cuomo as saying.

The governor also informed the group of leaders about the upcoming release of a $25 million Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes grant, saying it is his administration’s opportunity to send a larger message about keeping the Jewish community safe.

Cuomo also told one of the rabbis on the call that it would be his honor to champion the issue of fighting antisemitism as the governor of the largest Jewish community in the diaspora.

On the call, Cuomo mentioned that while COVID-19 vaccination rates are lower in Orthodox communities compared to the general population, he understands that it’s in part because so many Orthodox Jews are children who are below the age for which vaccinations are approved. He encouraged everyone who’s eligible to get vaccinated.

Jacob Kornbluh is the Forward’s senior political reporter. Follow him on Twitter @jacobkornbluh or email kornbluh@forward.com.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO