Pesach Osina, an Orthodox Jew who secured the Democratic nomination for a New York State Assembly seat representing parts of Queens, stated that the party he has joined is not the one he grew up with, citing the embrace of politicians with antisemitic and anti-Israel views.
"That’s not the party that we have grown up with," Osina told JNS after winning the primary for Assembly District 23, an area with a significant Jewish population. "The Democratic Party as a whole—the party that we’ve known, that we’ve grown up with—is not an anti-Jewish party. It’s a party that reflects our values."
Osina won the Democratic primary with 60.6% of the vote, defeating attorney Mike Scala. He will face Republican Tom Sullivan in the general election. Osina, who is backed by incumbent Assembly member Stacey Pheffer Amato, is set to represent a district that includes parts of the Rockaways. If elected, Osina said he would be willing to challenge members of his own party who he believes have crossed lines on issues of Israel or antisemitism.
"My job right now is to find a common denominator and work with my colleagues to ensure that resources are coming back to the community," he said. "Of course, if a colleague disagrees with members of the community, then we would have to call out that person."
Osina emphasized the importance of having someone with a deep understanding of the community in the Assembly. "It’s better to have one of your own in the Assembly," he stated, highlighting his ability to advocate for the needs of the Orthodox Jewish community.
His commitment to public service was shaped by his father's experience with a biased inspection of his small business. Osina recounted that inspectors targeted his father's business for not serving pork and questioned the English proficiency of his immigrant workers. His father fought the case and ultimately won, a lesson Osina said taught him the importance of fighting for justice.
Osina's family history also includes a legal battle his father waged against the state of Illinois in the 1990s over a biased inspection of a nursing home owned by the family. According to a Chicago Tribune report at the time, inspectors made antisemitic remarks and cited the facility for numerous violations. Osina's father sued the state, and although the judgment was largely consumed by legal fees, he considered it a victory in principle, particularly given that his parents were Holocaust survivors.
Osina described his district, the 23rd Assembly District, as having long been overlooked by city and state government. He plans to prioritize bringing resources to the area if elected, focusing on support for children and seniors. He noted that the district, which was severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy, has historically received resources last.
He also highlighted the district's diversity, encompassing Jewish, Black, Irish, Bengali, Hindu, and Sikh communities, and stressed his commitment to working with all groups to ensure their needs are met. "People don’t understand diversity," Osina said. "It’s my job to work together with everyone to make sure all their needs are being met."
Concerns raised by voters during his campaign included public safety and the cost of living. Orthodox constituents specifically expressed worries about yeshiva education and the state's potential interference with their ability to educate their children.
When asked about the Democratic Party's efforts to combat Jew-hatred, Osina responded, "There is always more work to be done." He believes that combating hate requires continuous effort and adaptation.
Osina also addressed instances of hate in his district, including antisemitic remarks directed at a constituent and eggs being thrown at Muslims outside a mosque. He identified the underreporting of hate crimes as a significant problem, attributing it to the multiple agencies and varying definitions involved in reporting. If elected, Osina intends to advocate for funding community-based liaisons to assist residents in reporting hate incidents and navigating the proper channels for complaints. "My job as a state legislator is to ensure that every one of my constituents feels safe and heard, no matter where the hate is coming from," he stated. "Whether it’s antisemitic hate coming to the community, whether it’s hate directed at someone’s hijab. No matter the type of hate."