By a CH Resident

There are many different Crown Heights community leaders, askonim, activists, PAC’s, for-profit and non-profit organizations helping with the political and social aspects of the Shchuna. Dozens of activists, some newer, some older, advocating for the betterment of Crown Heights.

During the past Mayoral election, there was a Lubavitcher chosid running against incumbent progressive council member Crystal Hudson. None of the leadership on any level in Crown Heights supported this Lubavitcher candidate because they said he didn’t have a chance to win, and they weren’t wrong. The Crown Heights Jewish community is gerrymandered into three different city council districts, so our votes are sliced into three when it comes to city council elections.

The fact that Lubavitcher bravely jumped into the race highlighted the concerns of local residents, and did his very best, and got over half of the Crown Heights votes that were in his district, despite the fact that the CH establishment was against him. They paid Chabad platforms to silence him and endorsed and vigorously promoted his Anti-Israel socialist opponent. Nevertheless, he proudly ran for office and inspired the young chevra in Crown Heights to get involved. That show of leadership, although unsuccessful at that time, is giving energy to all future Jewish candidates and those who want to get involved with helping Crown Heights.

With the Assembly race of Ahron Gluck challenging incumbent Brian Cunningham, 95% plus of Lubavitchers are in the district. Will the broader CH establishment do something different, or will they follow the lead of a small unelected group, which claims to be “united” but is anything but that?

If you ask most Lubavitchers who they are voting for, an overwhelming majority of answers are the same: Ahron Gluck, not because he’s “one of us” but because his policies, views, and political positions align with the views and values of our community. On the other hand, most Crown Heightsers are furious with Assemblyman Cunningham’s unapologetic support for the Homeless shelters and proposed bike lanes in the neighborhood.

Will the broader Crown Heights leadership support the best candidate or will they be forced to support the same elected official who is actively destroying the neighborhood? Time will tell, but one thing is for sure: The more Lubavitchers registered to vote as a Democrat, the bigger the chance that our community’s candidate, Ahron Gluck, can win.