Adrienne Adams: A Trusted Partner for Jewish New Yorkers—Rooted in Queens

In an election season filled with uncertainty, one candidate stands out—not because of grandstanding, but because of consistency. Speaker Adrienne Eadie Adams, current leader of the New York City Council and a lifelong Queens resident, is not making promises; she’s reaffirming a relationship.

Born at Elmhurst Hospital and raised in Hollis, Queens, the Speaker grew up in a union home—her father was a UPS truck driver and her mother worked in the kitchen at Rikers Island. She attended St. Pascal Baylon Elementary and Bayside High School before earning a degree in psychology from Spelman College. She would go on to lead Queens Community Board 12, overseeing Downtown Jamaica’s revitalization, advocating for school improvements, and supporting post-Sandy rebuilding in Far Rockaway.

The Speaker prepares Passover packages for needy community members alongside Council Members Linda Lee, Sandra Ung, Julie Menin, and Lynn Schulman.

Her first major run for public office came in 2016, when she sought the State Senate seat for District 10. Though ultimately unsuccessful, she earned endorsements from Borough President Melinda Katz and Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder—praised for her honesty, community dedication, and capacity to deliver for Queens families. At the time, she pledged to strengthen underserved neighborhoods and protect educational opportunities. That message hasn’t changed—it’s only grown stronger.

Much like in that 2016 campaign, the Speaker’s 2025 mayoral bid is rooted in substance and sincerity. Her record since joining the Council in 2017—and especially since becoming Speaker in 2022—has been marked by quiet strength. She has focused on public safety, mental health services, educational equity, and transparent governance. For the Orthodox Jewish community, her commitment has been unwavering.

In a televised debate, the Speaker pledged to create a first‑of‑its‑kind Deputy Mayor for Jewish Affairs and Antisemitism—a role to ensure Jewish needs are addressed at the highest levels. She also promised that her first international trip as mayor would be to Israel, calling it “the Holy Land”—a phrase of reverence and connection.

At the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Digital Hate Report Card 2025 presentation, the Speaker stands beside Jewish Caucus Chair Council Member Eric Dinowitz.

When others suggested withholding funding from yeshivos over regulatory disputes, the Speaker took a firm stand: “We need to be resourcing them, not taking resources from the children… There has to be a way for city and state to work through this—without making the children suffer.” She has defended security grants, childcare subsidies, nonpublic school funding, and supports a curriculum inclusive of Jewish history and resilience.

The Speaker has not just spoken—she has shown up. After the October 7 Hamas massacre, she joined a vigil outside the Kew Gardens Hills Library, organized by the Queens Jewish Community Council. Weeks ago, she attended another vigil for Israeli diplomats killed in Washington, D.C. Her presence—without fanfare—spoke volumes. These moments proved what many in our neighborhoods already know: she shows up when it counts.

As Speaker, she has strengthened the City Council’s Jewish Caucus efforts—hosting Passover s’darim, Holocaust memorials, the Yad Vashem art exhibit at City Hall, and Simon Wiesenthal Center briefings on digital antisemitism. She also secured $5.1 million for trauma recovery centers in Jewish communities and supported volunteer safety partnerships like Shomrim/Chaverim patrols.

Greeting the author in Kew Gardens Hills following a community vigil held in memory of the Israeli diplomat murdered in Washington, D.C.

Her support hasn’t gone unnoticed. Every major Orthodox bloc in New York has ranked her: Ichud Hamosdos, both Satmar factions, Bobov, Crown Heights, Staten Island, Williamsburg NYCHA tenants, and the Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition (FJCC). These are relationships forged through years of mutual trust and action—not campaign visits.

At the final mayoral debate, the Speaker—standing as the sole woman—declared calmly: “I’m the adult in the room. I’ve already been doing this job—just down the hall.” It was a statement of fact—she’s led during strained times with no scandal, offering stability while others scramble for standing.

The Speaker is the only candidate in the race who can still proudly run on the same values she championed in 2016: integrity, accountability, community revitalization, and strong educational outcomes. She has proven that she brings passion to public service, not performance—and that she’s never lost sight of her mission to fight for stronger futures and brighter communities.

Offering heartfelt condolences at the shiv’ah for Sadka Yehoshua (“Sidney”) and family, following the tragic Ocean Parkway crash that claimed the lives of his wife and daughters.

She isn’t a stranger to our communities—she’s been walking our streets, protecting our schools, and standing with our families long before this campaign. Her current platform reflects the same commitments she made in 2016—and she’s upheld them ever since. Whether in Far Rockaway, Forest Hills, Richmond Hill, or Kew Gardens Hills, her alliances are rooted in conscience, not convenience.

Voting is one of the most powerful tools we have as a tzibbur—to protect our yeshivah chinuch and preserve our way of life. Don’t silence your own voice.

Early voting runs through June 22

Election Day is Tuesday, June 24,

6 AM – 9 PM

Find your polling site at vote.nyc

The Speaker has already stood with our communities—here in Queens and across the city. This is our chance to stand with her.

Touring the heart of the Crown Heights Jewish community, accompanied by local leaders and activists.
Standing with Far Rockaway activist Elkanah Adelman, a well-known community volunteer and advocate.
Delivering remarks at the street renaming ceremony for Lubavitcher Rebbe Way earlier this year.
With Queens Shmira Coordinators Shabsie Saphirstein and Avraham Pinkhasov outside Positive Beginnings in Kew Gardens Hills earlier this month.

Shabsie Saphirstein is Asst. to the Co-Publishers of the Queens Jewish Link and heads its sister paper, the Bukharian Jewish Link. He serves on the Jewish Advisory Council to the Queens D.A., and is Sec. of Agudath Israel of KGH, Treas. of the Queens Jewish Alliance, and Outreach Coord. for Queens Shmira. He is also a longtime volunteer with Misaskim of Queens and Chaverim of Queens & GN. Reach him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 917-613-1565.

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