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Cuomo Won Satmar Rebbe’s Endorsement After Promising Hands Off Yeshivas

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo reportedly promised not to interfere with the state’s yeshivas before receiving an endorsement from the Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg, Gothamist reported.

Cuomo visited Rabbi Zalman Teitelbaum at his home Thursday, where they came to the agreement, according to multiple reports. Yeshiva World translated the initial reporting by Israeli blog BeChadrei Chareidim, tweeting, “The Governor reassured the Rebbe that he would not interfere in Yeshiva education.”

Teitelbaum controls the central Satmar congregation in Williamsburg and the Satmar Yeshiva in Queens, according to Gothamist. Much of Brooklyn’s Hasidic community votes as a bloc, giving it significant pull in state and local politics.

The agreement comes as New York City officials move forward with the investigation into allegations that ultra-Orthodox schools do not provided enough secular education.

Alyssa Fisher is a news writer at the Forward. Email her at [email protected], or follow her on Twitter at @alyssalfisher

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