Chaptzem Blog!      

THE largest fund-raiser for Christine Quinn's mayoral campaign is an Orthodox Jewish singer who helped collect $53,850 from fellow observant Jews who supposedly don't support gay politicians.

Campaign filings show that Brooklyn-based Shloime Dachs led all other "intermediaries" who rounded up funds for Quinn, the first openly gay City Council speaker.

Many of the 29 contributors are affiliated with organizations - including Agudath Israel and the Ohel Children's Home and Family Services - that receive funding from the council.

Seven of the contributors also wrote checks to the other leading Democratic mayoral contenders, Comptroller Bill Thompson and Rep. Anthony Weiner.

Marvin Hellman, who operates his own real-estate management firm, said he chipped in $1,500 for Quinn because "I'm a friend of Shloime Dachs."

Despite his religious leanings, Hellman said he was not concerned about Quinn's sexual orientation.

"That's not an issue for me," he said.

Asked why he also gave $1,000 to Thompson and $2,000 to Weiner, Hellman said, "I'm politically active."

Dachs didn't return several calls about a fund-raiser Nov. 7 held in his home, which Quinn attended.

But Councilman Simcha Felder, also an Orthodox Jew, readily admitted he was behind the event.

"I am delighted to say I arranged this fund-raiser and was delighted to encourage people in my district and beyond to support the speaker, who is doing a wonderful job for the city," he said.

But Felder (D-Brooklyn) stopped short of endorsing Quinn for mayor. "Not at this time," he said.

An executive at one Jewish nonprofit defended the contributions by the orthodox.

"Why should they be any different than the cultural institutions or anyone else?" the exec said. "When it comes to the budget, she's the second most powerful official in the city."

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02172008/news/columnists/quinns_jewish_support_98067.htm