Howard Samuel announced yesterday his endorsement by the Satmar Hasidic community. The Satmar community is the largest Hasidic community in the world, with an approximate membership of 100,000. In a news conference held at his headquarters, Samuels, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for New York Governor, was joined by Rabbi Leopold Lefkowitz, president of the Satmar community, and a large delegation of community leaders.
In a prepared statement, Rabbi Lefkowitz praised, Samuels as “a man with a thorough and intense understanding of our community. By his commitment to our community in the areas of housing, business and job development, as well as aid to yeshivas, (he) shows not only a profound understanding of our specific needs, but a commitment to the survival of all communities. We heartily endorse his candidacy.”
Samuels thanked Rabbi Lefkowitz and the Satmar community for their endorsement, stating, “Your endorsement today not only is gratifying to me in a political sense, but in a very real emotional sense as well. I have seen first-hand your yeshivas and your summer camps. I have seen firsthand your commitment to the principles and values that made this country great.” Samuels termed the Satmar endorsement “the most important endorsement of the campaign, not only because it represents three percent of the primary vote, but because the Satmar community is looked up to due to their commitment to community cohesiveness.
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