Mario Cuomo’s Close Ties to the Jewish Community

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Mario Cuomo was more than a story teller about how he was close to the Jewish community of all denominations.

He brought into his close circle of confidants an assistant to the governor for Jewish affairs, he favored the village of Kiryas Joel maintain a separate school district despite a US Supreme Court ruling to the contrary for a group of Satmars, who mostly speak Yiddish and trace their roots back to Hungary and Romania. Cuomo often touted how he consistently pushed for stronger enforcement of kosher regulations by establishing the Kosher Food Advisory Council.

When the last Lubavitcher rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson handed Cuomo two one dollar bills, one for his 1990 election bid and another for his third term, Cuomo is known to have quipped, “This is more than I expected, rabbi, and this will require me to give back more, which I will,” sporting a silver-bordered black yarmulke.

Cuomo, known to stay close to home and sleep in his own bed in the Executive Mansion, he broke with his tradition and visited Israel in 1992. He was always seen as an unwavering supporter of Israel, as most New York elected officials must do to maintain a political life. Cuomo also established a trade office in Beth Shemesh, Israel to promote economic development opportunities between the Jewish homeland and the Empire State.

Cuomo had two rabbis at his disposal during his 12 year tenure. He considered Rabbi Israel Mowshowitz, who died in 1992 at age 77, his personal rabbi, where he held the title of special assistant for community affairs in the Governor’s office. Mowshowitz was ordained as an Orthodox rabbi but was the pulpit rabbi for the Hillcrest Jewish Center, a Conservative congregation.

Another prominent rabbi at Cuomo’s disposal was Rabbi Edgar Gluck, who served as a special assistant and later consultant to the New York State Police since 1984. In May of 2002, Gluck was caught up in a fraud scandal and was removed from this position. As a liaison, Gluck responded to emergencies involving the Jewish community.