Ahead of a pivotal primary election, the Roshei Yeshiva of Lakewood held an emergency meeting today, gathering dozens of leading rabbanim, including the Belzer Dayan, the Skulener Rebbe, Roshei Chaburah, Roshei Mosdos, and prominent askanim. The meeting took place at the home of Harav Malkiel Kotler, Shlit”a.

The central focus of the meeting was the urgent need for the Lakewood community to rally and vote in the upcoming primary. Rabbanim were asked to speak about the matter over Shabbos and to encourage their kehillos to vote.

Participants expressed deep concern over the potential for severe funding cuts to yeshivos should the wrong candidate win the gubernatorial race. Discussions also emphasized the importance of tuition relief and tax credits—policies that are vital to the financial well-being of frum families and institutions, and which have NOT received strong backing from Congressman Josh Gottheimer.

A key issue addressed at the meeting was the question of voting for Democratic candidate Josh Gottheimer given longstanding communal concerns regarding “toaiva” policies. Harav Malkiel Kotler, Shlit”a, made clear—with full consensus from the assembled Rabbanim—that such concerns do not pertain to this particular election and must not deter the tzibur from voting for the candidate who will most effectively safeguard the kehilla’s interests.

Harav Malkiel shared that he had traveled personally to Eretz Yisrael to consult Maran Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman, zt”l, on this issue. Rav Aharon Leib unequivocally stated that this matter is not a factor and instructed that the tzibur should vote for the candidate deemed most beneficial by the Roshei Yeshiva.

This guidance, Harav Malkiel emphasized, follows the longstanding mesorah from Maranan Rav Aharon Kotler, Rav Shneur Kotler, Rav Moshe Feinstein, and Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky, zt”l.