ByMICHAEL STARR
Updated:

Satmar Ahronim community leaders endorsed former governor Andrew Cuomo for New York City mayor on Sunday, after another leader of the ultra-Orthodox community endorsed New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.
 
Community leaders Cheskel Berkowitz, Avrum Brach, and Shulem Yitzchok Jacobowitz issued a public statement in support of Cuomo to “out-vote the progressive agenda.”
 
“Across the board, the progressive movement’s crusading agenda is a threat to our ability to live as Torah Jews and educate our children with the same values,” read the statement. “The mayor and his office has tremendous influence on policy, direction, and geist. Each of us must do everything in our power to protect and preserve our values, communities, yeshivas, and way of life.”

Cuomo honored to have support

Cuomo said he was honored to have the support of the Satmar Ahronim leaders.

 

“Their voices carry tremendous weight in standing up for family, faith, and common sense,” said Cuomo. “I share their belief that New York needs unity and balance – not ideological extremes – and together, we’ll make this city safer, fairer, and stronger for all.”


Former New York Governor and independent candidate for New York City Mayor, Andrew Cuomo, departs after a press conference in New York City, US, October 30, 2025.
Former New York Governor and independent candidate for New York City Mayor, Andrew Cuomo, departs after a press conference in New York City, US, October 30, 2025. (credit: JEENAH MOON/REUTERS)

 

The same day, Mamdani received the endorsement of another Satmar Ahronim leader. Mamdani said on X/Twitter that he had received the backing of Rabbi Moshe Indig, who often acts as a spokesperson for the movement.

“Together, we will fight the scourge of antisemitism and build a city that works for every New Yorker,” said Mamdani.

 

Indig did not immediately respond to
The Jerusalem Post
’s requests for comments.

 

Belaaz reported on Sunday that sources within the community believed Indig’s endorsement to be unauthorized by other leaders.

 

Indig is also involved in the publication of Der Blatt, which featured on Friday a letter from Samar leaders declaring that Mamdani was “not an antisemite.”

 

The Zalman Satmar faction also issued a statement decrying a “false and dangerous” campaign portraying Mamdani as an antisemite.