We all envision a spring for our city, where we don’t fear ICE taking our loved ones away, where working forty-hours a week is more than enough to survive, and where we all have time to dance and sing and celebrate, just as the Jews did as we left mitzrayim.
Chag pesach Sameach
It was not lost on me that Passover shares this same central message: the coming spring. A constant theme that arises as my connections to other communities in Queens grows deeper is that we all share so much, despite our cultural and religious practices that distinguish us.
On Sunday, I was welcomed by the South Queens Indo-Caribbean community to their celebration of Holi at Phagwah Parade. As the Phagwah Social Justice Collective marched Liberty Ave demanding ICE out of NY, my friend reminded me that the meaning of Holi is the welcoming of Spring.
Will we continue to dig ourselves deeper into mitzrayim, or will we work together in solidarity, across racial and religious differences, to create a world we all can live in?
This year, as we bear witness to horrors in Gaza, the US and Israel waging yet another war in the Middle East, and retaliation against Palestinian activists for exercising their 1A rights, we have a choice of how to interpret our histories and recommit to our shared struggle.
Some see the hoarding of wealth by a few modern-day Pharaohs as a leading cause of our planet’s destruction, while others laud their way of doing business.
Just as there is no one way of being Jewish, there are as many interpretations of the Passover story.
Some find inspiration to recommit to liberation for all peoples, while others insist that Jewish safety relies on the occupation, disenfranchisement, and genocide of others.
Questioning how my Jewish history is used to justify the Israeli occupation led me to the Jewish-Palestinian solidarity movement.
And questioning why a city of billionaires couldn’t also provide basic protections for its workers led me to run for state assembly in Queens.
This tradition of asking questions made me the person I am today. The questions I asked at the Passover seder as a child led me to ask more questions as an adult.
Questioning why our immigration laws are so inhumane led me to a career as an activist and attorney.
Graphic with “Chag pesach Sameach!” in orange text on a yellow background with the David Orkin for Queens logo, surrounded by 4 cups of wine, writing on papers, and spring flowers.
The Passover seder is structured around questions we ask each year: why do we retell our escape from mitzrayim (“the narrow place”) to freedom? Why do we speak as though the story happened to us, rather than our ancestors? What relevance does our story of liberation have today?🧵
Endorsement graphic with a blue background and headshot of David Orkin wearing a blue button down and glasses, which reads “David Orkin for Assembly District 38 Proudly Endorsed by New York Progressive Action Network”
Deeply honored to receive the endorsement of @nypan1.bsky.social. Their advocacy for social, economic, and environmental justice is essential to our community's fight to put people over profit. I am grateful for their trust and ready to fight with them for a more sustainable and equitable future.
We must fight for universal healthcare and gender affirming care, end discrimination against trans workers and tenants, and ensure we can afford to live freely and fully here. Together we will ensure trans New Yorkers are not just visible, but enjoy stable, thriving lives.
A heart-shaped trans flag with the words "Celebrating Trans Day of Visibility" and "David Orkin for Queens"
This Transgender Day of Visibility, I celebrate my queer community and trans & non-binary neighbors.
New York must remain a sanctuary for trans people from around the world. Trans people have always been here, and are not going anywhere. Queer liberation is not negotiable.
Happy Holi! Days like today are why I love Queens 🥰 Had so much fun celebrating at the Phagwah Parade with my friends at DRUM Beats, the Phagwah Social Justice collective, and @mayor.nyc.gov! ❤️💜💙💛💚🧡🩷
Keep the fight going alongside us www.david4queens.com#volunteer
Left to right, Assembly candidate Samantha Kattan, student activist Abid Mahdi, Assembly candidate David Orkin and State Senate candidate Aber Kawas walking with a Democratic Socialists of America banner at No Kings in Manhattan on March 28, 2026
Yesterday I marched with @socialists.nyc and my fellow members and endorsed candidates Aber kawas and Samantha Karan alongside a massive turnout for No Kings. The only way to fight Trump’s fascism is collectively, expanding democracy from the ballot box to the workplace.
We're in the FINAL STRETCH for petitioning!!! We’re out tomorrow with @cct4nyc.bsky.social 👀 If you want a more affordable city, protected from ICE and corporate greed, this is your last chance to make sure workers like us are fighting for this agenda on the ballot ✊🌹
Sign up in 🧵!!!!
A graphic of a Bangladeshi flag on a yellow background wishing Happy Bangladeshi Independence Day
A photo of David Orkin standing with a microphone speaking at the Jamaica Bangladesh Friends Society surrounded by community members
A photo of David Orkin seated at a table hearing from community members of the Bangladeshi Buddhist Association
A large group photo of David Orkin with guests at a Bangladeshi American Advocacy Group iftar hosted by CM Sandy Nurse
Wishing a happy Independence and National Day to my Bangladeshi neighbors and friends! 🇧🇩 The energy, culture, and resilience of this community make our city, borough, and district what it is. Celebrating with you all today! ❤️💚
A graphic of a Bangladeshi flag on a yellow background wishing Happy Bangladeshi Independence Day
A photo of David Orkin standing with a microphone speaking at the Jamaica Bangladesh Friends Society surrounded by community members
A photo of David Orkin seated at a table hearing from community members of the Bangladeshi Buddhist Association
A large group photo of David Orkin with guests at a Bangladeshi American Advocacy Group iftar hosted by CM Sandy Nurse
আমার সব বাংলাদেশি প্রতিবেশী আর বন্ধুদের স্বাধীনতা ও জাতীয় দিবসের শুভেচ্ছা! 🇧🇩 এই কমিউনিটির এনার্জি, কালচার আর দৃঢ়তা আমাদের শহর, বোরো আর ডিস্ট্রিক্টের সর্বশ্রেষ্ঠ গর্ব। আজকে আপনাদের সাথে একসাথে উদযাপন করছি! ❤️💚
Celebrate your birthday, engagement, anniversary, or the fight to tax the rich for an affordable Queens 🥳: act.david4queens.com/map
Engagements…birthdays…what special event will happen at our next petition??? You’ll have to volunteer to find out ;)
We have shifts all week and this weekend to get us on the ballot in AD-38. Come for the cause, stay for the cake! Now everyone say “happy birthday Margaret!!”
As Chair of the Internet and Technology Committee, @gonzalez4ny.bsky.social shares my commitment to strong regulations to protect NY’ers from AI displacement, ICE, and predatory data collection. Grateful for her endorsement as we let workers, not tech billionaires, call the shots in Albany.
Together, we're working to make sure Queens remains affordable and welcoming for the people who make it great. Grateful for my neighbors for their hospitality and these incredible opportunities to connect with each other!
Visiting Shri Shakti Mariammaa, Trimurti, and Bhuvaneshwar Mandirs this weekend, I was honored to be welcomed to their observance of Navratri. I was particularly moved by the words of Dharmacharya Pandit Chunelall Narine, which emphasized seeking inner peace in order to build a more peaceful world.
A campaign graphic for David Orkin for Queens with a green background and yellow text. The top reads "This Week with David Orkin for Queens." It lists three petitioning events: Tuesday, 3/24 at 5:30 PM in Glendale and Ridgewood with Claire Valdez; Wednesday, 3/25 at 5:30 PM in Woodhaven and Ridgewood; and Thursday, 3/26 at 5:30 PM in Ridgewood with Make the Road Action New York. The bottom features a photo of a diverse group of supporters holding banners for the NYC Democratic Socialists of America and David Orkin for Queens.
A campaign graphic for David Orkin for Queens with a green background. The header reads "This Week with David Orkin for Queens." It lists two weekend petitioning events: Saturday, 3/28 at 12 PM in Ridgewood with Claire Valdez, and Sunday, 3/29 at 12 PM in Richmond Hill and Ridgewood. A red circular badge on the right identifies the race as "Assembly 38 District." The bottom shows a group of volunteers holding campaign and NYC-DSA banners.
We're heading into the FINAL PETITION PUSH and its all gas, no brakes 🏎️ We're starting petitioning office hours every day this week at Peg's Cavalier alongside some new shifts across the district with @claireforny and @mtrany. Come out with us to get us on the ballot! See you there 🫡
Proud to receive the endorsement of the newest NY State Assembly Member @dianaforqueens.com! Diana is fearless in our shared fight for immigrants and workers. Together, we will tax the rich to deliver an affordable Queens and a New York free from ICE.
Map of Assembly District 38 which encompasses Ridgewood, Glendale, Woodhaven, Ozone Park and Richmond Hill
Don't know if you're an AD-38 voter? Check your registration or the map attached! amiregistered.vote.nyc
David Orkin for Queens Petitioning Office Hours flyer. "Bring friends, acquaintances or any AD 38 neighbors to get us on the ballot and grab a drink/snack with us." Monday to Saturday 6 pm to 8 pm and Sunday 1 pm to 3 pm at Peg's Cavalier at 59-02 Norman Street
Hey AD-38! We’ve got a WEEK left to get on the ballot! If you or your best friend’s ex-situationship haven’t signed yet, come to Peg’s Cavalier in Ridgewood 6-8pm this week or after 1pm Sun. to find a volunteer! (Note: you must be a registered Dem in AD-38 to sign a petition)