News

 As the race to become speaker of the next City Council continues apace, consolidation of the field has left two Councilmembers standing. In fact, both Adrienne Adams and Fransisco Moya declared victory yesterday as we've officially entered the "through the looking glass" stage of the race for Speaker. The Speaker of the City Council is a powerful partner and sometimes-counterweight to the Mayor of New York City. This position is not a public vote, but chosen in an election of sitting New York City Council members. 

On Wednesday, October 20, His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Al-Issa, secretary general of the Muslim World League, visited Yeshiva University to participate in “Jews and Muslims: A Look Toward the Future,” the inaugural conversation in the Presidential Forum series, in which Yeshiva University president Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman engages with the global leaders and voices who are shaping today’s world. The event was conducted in association with the Rabbi Arthur Schneier Program for International Affairs of Yeshiva University, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, and the American Sephardi Federation. 

Before this latest horrible attack and the name of its dead victim—Eliyahu Kay, a 26-year-old immigrant from South Africa —fade from the news, let us at least learn one important lesson

At first, it might seem as though Sunday’s attack in Jerusalem’s Old City was just another typical act of Palestinian Arab terrorism—an attacker with a submachine gun opened fire on a street not far from the Western Wall, murdering one Jewish passerby and wounding four others. We’ve heard that kind of horrible news a thousand times before. I’ve lived it.

This week, Kathy Hochul was sworn in as the Governor of New York State. She assumed the position after the resignation of Andrew Cuomo for his acts and comments towards women. This turn of events may leave many New Yorkers to wonder just who is Kathy Hochul, and will her governorship be any different from Cuomo’s in terms of policy.

Donovan Richards serves the over 2.2 million residents of Queens as their Borough President. He was overwhelmingly elected with over 65% of the vote in 2020. Donovan made history as the first Black man to serve in this elected position. As Queens Borough President, Donovan is leading the efforts to revitalize our great borough and make it one that works for all of its residents and workers.

It was a bad week for political dynasties. In Albany, Governor Andrew Cuomo, the son of the late Governor Mario Cuomo, resigned in disgrace. In Afghanistan, America’s longest war, launched by former President George W. Bush, the son of the late President George H. W. Bush, ended in the most humiliating defeat in American history.