In a significant show of support for Rockland County’s Orthodox Jewish community, Governor Kathy Hochul traveled to Wesley Hills on Sunday for a high-level meeting with Orthodox elected officials, mayors, trustees, community activists, and leaders from across the county, where she unveiled a series of policy initiatives that were met with enthusiastic applause and widespread praise from those in attendance.

The Governor was welcomed by a packed room of community leaders, including Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht’s Chief of Staff Mona Montal, Assemblyman Aron Wieder, New Square Mayor Izzy Spitzer, Kaser Mayor Allie Pinkasovits, Rockland County Legislator Itamar Yeger, Democratic State Senate candidate Joe Rand, community activists Yehuda Zorger and Meyer Tauber, along with numerous mayors, deputy mayors, trustees, and public officials representing communities throughout Rockland County.

Serving as master of ceremonies, community activist Yehuda Zorger opened the gathering by thanking Governor Hochul for what he described as her consistent support of Rockland County’s growing Orthodox community. He specifically highlighted the Governor’s expansion of security funding for religious schools and institutions, as well as the $10 million Momentum Infrastructure Grant awarded to the Town of Ramapo to help address critical infrastructure needs.

Governor Hochul then took the podium and delivered what many attendees described as one of her strongest and most direct addresses yet to the Orthodox community.

Among the major announcements made during the meeting was the Governor’s commitment to expanding security funding for religious schools and institutions at a time when Jewish communities continue to face rising threats and antisemitism. Hochul emphasized that protecting students, houses of worship, and religious institutions remains a top priority of her administration.

The Governor also revealed that her administration is moving forward with revisions to New York’s State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), a move that community leaders believe could significantly ease obstacles to responsible housing and community development projects throughout the state.

Perhaps the most enthusiastically received announcement came when Hochul discussed legislation she signed Sunday establishing a 50-foot buffer zone around houses of worship. The measure is intended to strengthen protections for religious institutions and safeguard religious freedom. The announcement drew immediate excitement from mayors, supervisors, and municipal officials in attendance, many of whom have long advocated for additional protections for houses of worship.

Addressing the sharp rise in antisemitic incidents since the October 7 attacks in Israel, Hochul spoke candidly about what she described as a troubling increase in hostility directed toward Jewish communities throughout New York. Rather than seeing greater sympathy for Israel and the Jewish people, she noted, many communities have experienced the opposite.

The Governor highlighted New York’s recently enacted restrictions targeting masked intimidation during protests and reiterated her administration’s commitment to combating antisemitism wherever it appears. She also referenced her participation in the Israel Day Parade in Manhattan and reaffirmed her unwavering support for New York’s Jewish communities.

Assemblyman Aron Wieder thanked the Governor for her partnership on issues affecting Rockland County residents and discussed several legislative initiatives currently being advanced with support from the Governor’s office. During the discussion, Hochul encouraged Wieder to pursue additional legislation based on concerns raised during the meeting.

New Square Mayor Izzy Spitzer spoke about his longstanding relationship with the Governor and thanked her for her continued responsiveness to the needs of New Square and the broader Orthodox community. Legislator Itamar Yeger also expressed appreciation for Hochul’s attention to local concerns and her willingness to engage directly with community leaders.

Following the formal presentations, the meeting shifted into an extended question-and-answer session. Mayors, deputy mayors, trustees, and community representatives raised a wide range of issues affecting their municipalities. Hochul listened attentively, frequently taking notes while directing senior members of her staff to review concerns and provide follow-up.

Participants noted that the Governor repeatedly stressed that the meeting was not merely ceremonial and that she wanted actionable solutions. In a sign of that commitment, attendees reported that members of the Governor’s staff had already begun following up Monday morning on several matters raised during Sunday’s discussion.

Democratic State Senate candidate Joe Rand also addressed attendees, speaking about the warmth and hospitality he has experienced while meeting residents and leaders throughout Ramapo. Rand praised Governor Hochul’s leadership and echoed her message of engagement across all communities, emphasizing his commitment to representing every resident of Rockland County.

Governor Hochul also voiced her support for Rand’s candidacy, stating that she looks forward to working with him in Albany should he be elected to the State Senate. The Governor said she believes such a partnership would help advance priorities important to Rockland County residents and continue delivering results for the Orthodox Jewish community and the county as a whole.

After concluding the meeting with elected officials and community leaders, Governor Hochul held a separate discussion with private school and daycare administrators to address funding concerns and educational issues affecting their institutions.

The Governor’s visit concluded with a private fundraiser in Wesley Hills, capping off a day that many local leaders described as one of the most substantive and productive gubernatorial visits the Orthodox community has seen in recent years.

As the meeting came to a close, Yehuda Zorger thanked the Governor for making the trip to Rockland County and invited her to return. Smiling, Hochul assured attendees that she would.