Skver (Hasidic dynasty)

• https://forward.com/news/210213/hasidic-enclave-keeps-its-secrets-amid-elusive-reb/

Skver and the Satmar

The Hasidic community – especially Satmar and the less-populous Skver group – is veering ever more towards extremism. If it isn’t a new law prohibiting long robes traditionally worn on Shabbat, it is a ban on the internet, smartphones, concerts, strawberries, raspberries, grapes (for the slight chance they contain insects), eye makeup by makeup artists (yes, this is the case in Kiryas Joel), and now the innocent images of three-year-old girls.

This radicalized Hasidism does not include Chabad. Even though they are, by definition, Hasidic, the Lubavitchers’ representation as the poster children of Hasidism in America and worldwide is a gross misrepresentation. Many other Hasidic groups shun Chabad as a separate, modernized entity – akin to the Modern Orthodox – and whose chumros (stringencies) are a lot more lax than the bona fide Hasidim. The media-savviness of Chabad and comfortable relationship with secularism exemplifies their worldliness – something the majority of Hasidim are decidedly not, as a consequence of their insularity.

Skver has thrown its support behind Democrat Kathy Hochul for governor, joining Satmar’s Aronim faction in backing the incumbent who has signaled that she will not do anything to oppose the New York Board of Regents’ attacks against yeshivas. Skver and Satmar are now the only two voting blocs within the broader Orthodox Jewish community in New York who have spurned their brethren in endorsing Republican Lee Zeldin and his pledge to support Orthodox Jews and yeshivas and protect their way of life.

Skver also endorsed Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, a Democrat who is locked in a tight race with Assemblyman Mike Lawler. Despite the endorsements of Hochul and Maloney, many Satmar Aronim and Skverers are expected to vote for the Republicans, with their leadership’s endorsements having little effect on their vote in the crime-ridden and anti-yeshiva climate of New York.

Voting bloc - June 2025

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, candidate for Mayor of New York City, today received the endorsement of the main Satmar community in Williamsburg, led politically by Rabbi Niederman, together with a coalition of the main congregations in the area, including Pupa, Viznitz, Vien, Tzelim, Nitra, Krasna, Skver and Klausenburg. This group is known as the largest Orthodox voting bloc in the city. This marks the sixth Orthodox Jewish group to endorse Cuomo, joining the Far Rockaway Jewish Alliance, the Bobov community in Borough Park, Crown Jewish United and the Crown Heights PAC, and Satmar Ahronim, in backing Cuomo’s bid. Cuomo has also received the endorsement of the Sephardic Community Federation.

“I'm deeply honored to have the endorsement of the Satmars, a powerful nod that speaks to the deep bond and affection I’ve developed over the years with this community,” Governor Cuomo said. “I have great admiration for Rabbi Niederman, who is a true example of a real leader and who I’m proud to call a friend. Before coming to Brooklyn, he put his life on the line to save Jews in the Middle East. He’s helped to make the UJO from a three person team into a true New York powerhouse. In this election, antisemitism is on the ballot. When I become Mayor, I promise to continue my record of fighting antisemitism, and serving as that shield to protect our Jewish brothers and sisters.”