Rabbi Schachter Tells YU Students to Miss Seder if Necessary to Vote; Berman Calls NYC Mayoral Election ‘Battle for the Soul of Our Nation’
YU President Ari Berman and Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Herschel Schachter released public statements urging students to vote in Tuesday’s New York City mayoral election, which pits former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa against self-described socialist Zohran Mamdani.
In an email sent to the YU student body on Monday, Berman encouraged students to “recognize the significance of this moment for our nation and for our community.”
“Voting is both a privilege and a responsibility,” Berman wrote. “I encourage every member of the YU family — students, faculty, alumni and friends — to make a plan to vote and ensure your voice is heard on November 4.”
In a handwritten letter circulated to students via WhatsApp, Rabbi Schachter similarly urged eligible voters to cast their ballots.
“According to the media, the election this week is close and any vote counts,” he wrote. “Everyone who is legally entitled to vote is obligated to do so. Even if need be, one must cut seder [religious classes] to vote.”
“Every Jew is responsible for one another,” he added in Hebrew.
Berman also appeared on Fox Business on Oct. 24 where host Stuart Varney pressed him about democratic mayoral candidate Mamdani’s use of the slogan “globalize the intifada.”
“This election is not just about New York City; it is a battle for the soul of our nation,” Berman said during the interview. “What we see here is a side that excuses antisemitism under the banner of social justice versus ones that actually stand for the values of America. And it is critical for us to ask the right questions and vote wisely.”
When asked about the polls showing that 38 percent of Jewish New Yorkers support Mamdani, Berman replied: “I can tell you, the overwhelming percentage of Jews, right now, understand very clearly that Mamdani is discriminatory, divisive and dangerous. He refuses to condemn ‘globalize the Intifada,’ which we know spreads hate and can lead to violence.”
Berman emphasized that the election carries consequences far beyond the Jewish community.
“[These are] radical progressives who are trying to rewrite the history of America,” he told Varney. “They call cultural pride colonialism, and they try to erase the Jewish from Israel while they try to erase America from the United States.”
While Berman acknowledged that he is a “faith leader” who doesn’t “tell people how to vote,” he insisted that “if you are a person of moral conscience, you should know what is at stake in this election,” and “make sure your vote counts.”
On Tuesday morning, YU Computer Science Department Chair Judah Diament emailed computer science students that absences would be excused for those voting during class hours. “CS students should email their professor to inform them why they are missing class,” the message read.
“When both the president and rosh yeshiva stress the importance for everyone to do their civic duty, it helps bring to light the mission of YU: to be steadfast in Torah and Judaism, but not ignore and disassociate from the world around you.” Noam Schechter (YC ‘27) told The Commentator. “Especially in an election as important as this one, this message of civic responsibility and action is vital.”
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday. A recent Quinnipiac poll found that 43 percent of the respondents plan to vote for Mamdani, compared to 33 percent for independent candidate Cuomo and 14 percent for Sliwa. Polymarket, an online prediction market, currently gives Mamdani a 95 percent chance of winning.
Mamdani defeated Cuomo in the Democratic primary on June 24. Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, who had been running as an independent, dropped out of the race on Sept. 28 and has since endorsed Cuomo.
Daniel Kohn contributed to this story.
Photo Caption: Gracie Mansion, the New York City mayor’s residence
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
