ח׳ סיון ה׳תשפ״ו | May 24, 2026
Crown Heights Leaders Uncertain On Community’s Future
Unlike previous elections, in the upcoming Assembly race, 95% plus of Anash are in the district. Will the broader CH establishment do something different, or will they follow the lead of the small unelected divisive group?
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.
COMMENTS
CHJCC & VAAD should not endorse anyone & should instead educate the voters on the issues and let the Jewish grassroots decide, which will result in a Jewish landslide of Gluck votes.
If the CHJCC & VAAD endorse Gluck, they risk losing future NYS grants from Cunningham, if the incumbent wins.
If the CHJCC & VAAD endorse Cunningham, they enable more Vital Brooklyn’s homeless shelters, “protected” bike lanes, gentrification, gentilification and inaction on Kingsbrook Shul and more betrayals.
July 12, 2022 – CROWN HEIGHTS ASSEMBLYMAN YANKS SUPPORT FOR PRO-BDS CANDIDATE – “In a statement to Anash.org, the assemblyman said “I have traveled to Israel and seen firsthand the realities on the ground. I unequivocally oppose the BDS movement, and all that it stands for. I will not support a candidate that fails to recognize Israel’s right to exist by endorsing a movement that seeks to destroy our democratic ally Israel. I am therefore withdrawing my endorsement of YLN.” https://anash.org/crown-heights-assemblyman-yanks-support-for-pro-bds-candidate/
July 20, 2023 – RESURFACED VIDEO SHOWS MANDANI URGING END TO NEW YORK FUNDING OF ISRAEL “SETTLER CRIMES” – “Last week, prominent New York City rabbis joined more than 650 rabbis nationwide to sign “A Rabbinic Call to Action: Defending the Jewish Future,” affirming that Jewish Americans “cannot remain silent” on discrimination against Jewish people and citing Mamdani’s anti-Israel stances. ” https://www.foxnews.com/politics/resurfaced-video-shows-mamdani-urging-end-new-york-funding-israeli-settler-crimes?msockid=332d510268c065281781463a69af64d0
July 24, 2025 – MAMDANI CLAIMS ENDORSEMENT FROM CROWN HEIGHTS ASSEMBLYMAN – Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani announced Tuesday that he had received the endorsement of Crown Heights Assemblyman Brian Cunningham, who has connections with community activists and has visited 770 and the Rebbe’s library. https://anash.org/mamdani-claims-endorsement-from-crown-heights-assemblyman/
May 15, 2026 – MAYOR ZOHRAN MANDAMI ON “X” – “Today marks Nakba Day, an annual day of remembrance to commemorate the expulsion of more than 700,000 Palestinians between 1947 and 1949 during the creation of the State of Israel and the year that followed.” https://x.com/NYCMayor/status/2055402930677879076?s=20
May 22, 2026 – ASSEMBYMAN MORENO REINTRODUCES MANDAMI’S NOT ON OUR DIME ACT TO BAR NY NOT FOR PROFITS FUNDING ISRAEL – https://queensledger.com/2026/05/22/am-moreno-reintroduces-mamdanis-not-on-our-dime-act-to-bar-ny-nonprofits-funding-israel/
May 22, 2026 – ANOTHER CHANCE AT BLOCKING FUNDING OF ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS – “As an assembly member, I introduced the ‘Not on Our Dime’ Act because I understood that New Yorkers did not want their government subsidizing war crimes,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “I am grateful that Assembly Member Diana Moreno and Senator Jabari Brisport are carrying this work forward.”. (this bill would put organizations like Hatzolah out of business because of its fines and penalties to those doing business in Judea & Samaria)
https://jacobin.com/2026/05/new-york-legislation-mamdani-israeli-settlements
Will NYS Assemblyman Brian Cunningham publish his position to the 2026 “NOT ON OUR DIME” NYS Bill before the June 23, 2026 Democratic Primary?