Because 2015 is an off-year election and the Democratic Party primary is scheduled for a Thursday (September 10) rather than a Tuesday, very low voter turnout is expected – which could play a major role in the outcome. In fact, even one or two votes could conceivably make a difference. So it is critical that readers in the districts indicated come out to vote.
Barry Grodenchik for City Council (District 23, Queens)
The Jewish Press endorses Barry Grodenchik for the seat on the City Council representing eastern Queens that was recently vacated by Mark Weprin, who took a post in the Cuomo administration.
Mr. Grodenchik, an experienced public official, has a well earned reputation as a champion of Jewish issues. He is supported by his predecessor and by Assemblyman David Weprin, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, and former Queens borough president Claire Shulman.
Mr. Grodenchik, who served in the New York State Assembly, is currently a top aide to Borough President Katz and was a deputy borough president under former borough president Helen Marshall and chief administrative officer for over a decade for former borough president Shulman.
Grodenchik has played a leading role on issues relating to the Hillcrest and Hollis Hills eruvin and the establishment of the famed Rabbinical Seminary of America in Kew Garden Hills. He was also instrumental in resolving some of the problems faced by Yeshiva Har Torah, the Toby Pelman Mikveh in Hillcrest, and a number of other shuls and day schools across Queens.
Barry Grodenchik is clearly the right choice to represent the 23rd District in Queens on the New York City Council.
Judge Michael Gerstein for Civil Court Judge (6th Municipal District, Brooklyn)
The Jewish Press urges readers in Brooklyn to reelect Judge Michael Gerstein to the New York Civil Court. Judge Gerstein is widely known as a person of great integrity and has impressed his peers and members of the bar with his intelligence and knowledge of the law. He is noted for his judicial demeanor and capacity to get to the heart of issues before him and for his commitment to just results.
Judge Gerstein, in serving as civil court judge for the past ten years with honor and great distinction, has been a credit to the civil court bench, and we are proud that he is a member of our community. He has earned our support for reelection.