A political controversy has erupted in Orange County, New York, after a campaign advertisement from Democratic State Senator James Skoufis highlighted his role in blocking a proposed Hasidic village. The ad, which surfaced ahead of the upcoming elections, touts Skoufis’s efforts to pass legislation that stopped what he refers to as the “overdevelopment” of Orthodox housing in the region. His claims have drawn swift backlash from community leaders and activists who see the messaging as a direct attack on the Hasidic community.
The ad, widely circulated on social media, features a headline that reads, “Skoufis Passes Bill to Block New Hasidic Village,” attributing the claim to local news outlet Mid Hudson News. The footage promotes Skoufis’s involvement in halting the formation of a new Hasidic-populated village, a move he portrays as a victory for his district in terms of curbing overdevelopment.
Yossi Gestetner, a prominent commentator and co-founder of the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council (OJPAC), was among the first to denounce the ad on social media. Gestetner called on Congressman Pat Ryan, who represents much of the same area, to publicly disavow the campaign’s messaging. “I hope the area Congressman @PatRyanUC will disavow this,” Gestetner wrote, amplifying concerns that the ad plays into negative stereotypes and tensions regarding Hasidic population growth in the region.
Jacob Kornbluh, a senior political reporter, also weighed in, sharing the ad and highlighting the controversy surrounding Skoufis’s approach. “In a campaign ad, State Sen. @JamesSkoufis, a Dem from Orange County, highlights passing a bill ‘to block new Hasidic village’ and approach to ‘stopping overdevelopment’ of Orthodox housing for the benefit of his district,” Kornbluh tweeted, signaling that this rhetoric may alienate Skoufis from voters within the Orthodox community.
The ad reignites ongoing debates about housing, zoning, and demographic shifts in Orange County, where the Hasidic community has experienced rapid growth, particularly in areas like Kiryas Joel. Critics of Skoufis argue that his campaign’s emphasis on blocking a Hasidic village is inflammatory and could foster division. Others view it as a legitimate response to the challenges of balancing development with infrastructure and environmental concerns.
Local residents, especially within the Orthodox community, have expressed outrage over the ad, condemning its messaging as discriminatory. David Rosenbaum, a resident of Monroe, voiced his concerns to Hudson24:
“As a long-time resident of Orange County, I am deeply disturbed by Senator James Skoufis’s recent campaign ad that openly boasts about blocking a Hasidic village. This kind of rhetoric is divisive, dangerous, and completely unacceptable in our community. Senator Skoufis should be working to unite people, not pitting one group against another for political gain. The Hasidic community has every right to live and grow here, just like anyone else. To single them out in this way is not only discriminatory but also fans the flames of hate and intolerance. I call on Senator Skoufis to immediately retract this ad and issue a public apology for targeting a specific religious community in such an inflammatory manner. Orange County is better than this, and we deserve leaders who respect and represent all of us, not just those they find politically convenient.”
At this time, neither Senator Skoufis nor Congressman Ryan has issued a formal response to the controversy. However, with election season heating up, this issue is likely to remain a focal point in local political discourse.
Context:
The tension over housing and development in parts of Orange County has been longstanding, particularly in areas where there has been a significant influx of Hasidic residents. Local governments and political leaders have frequently been caught in the middle of balancing the interests of diverse communities, which has occasionally led to legal battles and public outcry. Skoufis’s latest campaign ad appears to tap into these tensions, though it remains to be seen how the controversy will affect his standing in the upcoming election.
