By Mark D. Zimmerman
MELVILLE, New York — Curtis Sliwa is the Republican candidate for mayor of New York City, running against Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an Independent after losing the Democratic primary.
Sliwa founded the Guardian Angels (originally called the Magnificent 13), a private security organization, in 1977 to fight crime in the New York City subway system. Wearing red berets, the members, mostly Blacks and Hispanics, were unarmed and were trained in karate.
Following the Crown Heights riot of 1992, Sliwa said of the difference between Blacks and Hasidic New Yorkers, “There is no fear that the Jewish community is going to come to the streets and loot and rob and rape. When in my lifetime have I ever seen a Hasid grab anyone’s pocketbook?”
In his mayoral campaign, Sliwa has focused on the Jewish community, saying recently that “If you [the Jews] depend strictly on Gentiles, history is replete with instances where you’re going to be horribly disappointed.” What was he referring to?
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A. He was referring to education, saying that Jews should be attending Jewish day schools, not New York City public schools. He also said, “The public schools are too focused on DEI. And trust me, Gentiles don’t consider Jews to be part of the equity.”
B. He was referring to circumcisions, noting that the number of Jewish babies getting circumcised in hospitals has increased significantly. “I would not trust a Gentile doctor to do that surgery on my son.”
C. He was referring to safety, saying Jews must protect themselves through organizations like the Shomrim (Jewish civilian patrol groups in Hasidic New York neighborhoods). He also stated that “We’ve never had more antisemitic attacks. Who’s in charge? Gentiles.”
D. He was referring to the United Nations, saying that Jews should not look to that body for a secure Israel. “Don’t waste your time asking for their help for the horrors visited upon Israel by Hamas. The Gentiles only really care about the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, not the Jewish people in Israel.”
E. He was referring to the New York City mayoral election, saying “Gentiles like Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani will never put the interest of the Jewish community first.” When reminded that he is also a Gentile, Sliwa said, “Well, that’s not really true. I consider myself to be a Goy, not a Gentile. I think that’s reason enough for New York’s Jews to vote for me.”
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Link to answer: https://rrrjewishtrivia.com/curtis-sliwa-answer.html
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Mark D. Zimmerman is an author and freelance writer based in Melville, New York