Matzav1 hour agoConservative radio host and outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump Sid Rosenberg unleashed a blistering attack on the Satmar community Tuesday, accusing its leadership of betraying the president and undermining Jewish interests by supporting New York Governor Kathy Hochul in her reelection campaign against Republican Bruce Blakeman.
In a furious post on X, Rosenberg singled out the Satmar Rebbe and longtime chassidic political activist Mr. Moshe Indig, arguing that neither should have been permitted to attend a recent meeting with Trump at the White House.
Rosenberg, who hosts the popular “Sid & Friends in the Morning” program on 77 WABC, went considerably further than criticizing the community’s political endorsement, accusing Satmar of regularly turning against fellow Jews and presenting a danger to New York’s future.
“So the Satmars are endorsing the wretched @GovKathyHochul! She’s running against a proud Pro Israel Jew in my friend @NassauExec! This is why Rabbi Teitelbaum and phony @RabbiIndigNY never should have been invited to the White House! @LauraLoomer and I did all we could to stop it but the President was duped! That community back stabs good Jews everyday and is a threat to the future of New York. —— Jews!” Rosenberg wrote.
The remarks followed Hochul’s high-profile visit Monday to Kiryas Yoel, where she received an elaborate welcome from more than 6,000 students at Satmar’s Bais Rochel girls’ schools and met privately with Rav Aharon Teitelbaum. The girls at the school held a lengthy chant in honor of Hochul as men of the community looked on from the stage.
The governor’s appearance came as Satmar leaders publicly backed her bid for another term, providing a potentially valuable source of support ahead of the November 3 gubernatorial election.
During the visit, Hochul was joined by Satmar communal figures, including Moshe Indig and Kiryas Yoel administrator Gedaliah Szegedin. The reception highlighted the close relationship that the governor has cultivated with chassidishe leadership, particularly regarding education funding and government assistance for private-school families.
Following her appearance in Kiryas Yoel, Hochul continued her campaign tour through Rockland County, visiting the Vizhnitzer community in Monsey and meeting with the Skverer Rebbe in New Square.
The governor’s outreach to chassidishe voters has become an increasingly prominent element of her reelection strategy as she faces Blakeman, the Jewish Nassau County executive who has made his support for Israel and opposition to antisemitism central themes of his campaign.
Rosenberg, a vocal advocate for Trump and a personal friend of Blakeman, has repeatedly promoted the Republican candidate on his radio program.
The radio host’s criticism also revived controversy surrounding a September meeting at the White House, when a delegation of chassidishe leaders met with Trump. Rosenberg and conservative activist Laura Loomer were among those who opposed the inclusion of certain chassidic leaders.
In Tuesday’s post, Rosenberg claimed that he and Loomer had attempted to prevent the White House meeting and asserted that Trump had been misled into welcoming the delegation.
Blakeman, meanwhile, has accused Hochul of failing to adequately confront antisemitism and has repeatedly criticized her political alliance with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose positions on Israel have generated considerable opposition within the Jewish community.
During their October 13 gubernatorial debate, Blakeman sharply challenged Hochul over rising antisemitism and her relationship with Mamdani, arguing that Jewish New Yorkers face growing threats under Democratic leadership.
{Matzav.com}
Matzav5 hours agoAn unusual gathering involving approximately 300 supporters of the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok chassidus took place in northern Eretz Yisroel, with participants arriving from the United States for a special event attended by the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok Rebbe at Kever Choni Hame’agel in Chatzor Haglilis.
The event attracted attention because of its elaborate travel arrangements, which included a private helicopter flight from Ben Gurion Airport to the northern part of the country, allowing the visiting supporters to reach the gathering without the lengthy drive from the airport.
The gathering brought together American donors and supporters of the chassidus for an occasion centered on the Rebbe and the historic kever of Choni Hame’agel, the renowned Tanna whose tefillos for rain are recorded in the Gemara.
The gathering, known as Vaharikosi, was organized as part of a major fundraising campaign to complete the construction and renovation of the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok central bais medrash in Meah Shearim, Yerushalayim.
Approximately 300 chassidim and supporters who had contributed substantial sums toward the building project were invited to participate in the event, which took place on 7 Cheshvan, a date associated with the beginning of the request for rain in Eretz Yisroel.
The Rebbe personally traveled to Chatzor Haglilis despite reported health difficulties and the considerable demands of the journey. His arrival was greeted with singing and considerable excitement among the assembled chassidim.
During the gathering, the Rebbe addressed those present, offering words of chizuk and brachos to the supporters who had undertaken major commitments toward the completion of the bais medrash.
A special address was delivered by Rav Yehuda Deutsch, a prominent mashpia, who spoke about the significance of the day and the location, preparing the participants for the central portion of the gathering.
Among the leading supporters were R’ Shmili Horowitz and R’ Shemaya Reich, two major American donors to the building fund, who arrived at Ben Gurion Airport at approximately 5:30 p.m.
Because of the timing of their arrival, special arrangements were made for a private helicopter to transport the two men directly from the airport to Chatzor Haglilis.
The helicopter landed near the site of the gathering, where the Rebbe and hundreds of supporters were waiting.
The two donors subsequently presented the Rebbe with substantial financial commitments toward the completion of the central bais medrash.
One of the most memorable moments occurred when the Rebbe, while remaining seated, participated in a special dance with the two American supporters, holding their hands as the assembled chassidim sang.
The moment recalled a similar occasion on Rosh Hashanah, when the same two donors had participated in a special dance with the Rebbe.
At the conclusion of the gathering, the Rebbe personally distributed a special kameia to each of the approximately 300 supporters in recognition of their contributions to the building project.
The kameios were presented as a segulah for protection, health, livelihood, and success, accompanied by the Rebbe’s brachos.
The event also included an unusual development involving Rav Yehuda Deutsch, who was in the middle of the sheva brachos celebrations for his son’s wedding.
Having traveled north to participate in the gathering, Rav Deutsch needed to return to Yerushalayim in time for the main sheva brachos celebration scheduled for that evening.
The two American donors offered him a seat aboard their helicopter for the return journey, allowing him to avoid the lengthy drive south.
Rav Deutsch accompanied them on the helicopter flight back toward central Eretz Yisroel and was able to reach the sheva brachos celebration in Yerushalayim on time.
The elaborate gathering was coordinated by Impact Productions as part of the chassidus’s fundraising efforts to complete its central bais medrash in Meah Shearim.
{Matzav.com}
