Prominent leaders of Queens’ Jewish community have announced that they are leaving the Democratic Party.
On September 6, Rabbi Nahum Kaziev, a representative of Druzhba magazine and founder of Druzhba TV, and Rafael Nektalov, founder and editor-in-chief of The Bukharian Times, took part in a press conference held at 9:00 a.m. outside Jerusalem Bagels, located at 64-48 108th Street in Forest Hills.
Rabbi Nahum Kaziev and Rafael Nektalov formally announced their decision to leave the Democratic Party, citing concerns about the party’s current direction and its relationship with the city’s Jewish community. Their statements appear on pages 10–11 of issue 1283.
“As someone who was born in the Soviet Union, I saw firsthand the consequences of a society embracing failed political and economic systems,” Rabbi Nahum Kaziev said from the podium. “Communism doesn’t work! Socialism doesn’t work! Antisemitism doesn’t work!
“America has succeeded because it was founded on the principles of freedom, individual opportunity, entrepreneurship, democratic institutions, and the right of every person to live without political persecution.
“I sincerely hope that the leadership of the Democratic Party recognizes what is happening and understands that many longtime Democrats are approaching a breaking point. I made this decision after serious reflection.
“Thirty years is a long time to belong to a political party. But there comes a moment when you have to stand firmly by your principles. For me, that moment came today.”
“I no longer want to play the game of choosing the lesser of two evils. I simply do not want to stand alongside evil, alongside a clique of people who hate America and the way of life that allows us to be free and to live according to our conscience,” Rafael Nektalov emphasized. He pointed to what he described as the New York Democratic Party’s failure to confront antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment, which, he said, have taken the place of addressing social and political issues in a city with a large Jewish population.
The press conference drew approximately 60 people, including numerous neighborhood residents and journalists representing Queens’ English- and Russian-language media.
Dr. Oleg Fuzaylov, Zoya Yakubova, who translated from Russian into English, and Mikhail Abaev also spoke. They emphasized the importance of holding press conferences of this kind, noting their impact on the political engagement not only of Bukharian Jews, but also of Russian, Mountain, and Georgian Jews in the area.
Dr. Svetlana Yunovna Iskhakova, a Republican Party representative in the 28th District who has participated in numerous elections in Queens, urged community members to register and become more active in local elections rather than voting only in U.S. presidential elections, as is often the case in our community.
“Those who wish to re-register should contact the Board of Elections,” she emphasized. “The process should be started without delay.”
Her remarks were echoed by Angelika Iskhakova, a member of the local Republican Party club. She said she could assist anyone who needs help completing paperwork to register to vote or change their party affiliation.
In closing, Rafael Nektalov suggested that Rabbi Nahum Kaziev take part in an upcoming election and run for office. Kaziev politely declined, saying that doing so was not part of his plans.
“The main thing is to change the direction of the community’s political orientation from the Democrats to the Republicans—a party that has not stained itself with antisemitism,” he said.
For additional information regarding changes in party affiliation, address, name or telephone number, or registering with a new party, contact Angelika at 347-624-7205.
Also: 1-800-FOR-VOTE (1-800-367-8683). Online registration is available through the New York State Board of Elections website: ELECTIONS.NY.GOV.
Queens main office: 118-16 Queens Blvd., 11th Floor.
Photos by Merik Rubinov
This was translated from Russian.
By Zoya Yakubova