NYC Jews cautious, others jubilant, following Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral win - Michael Starr

 

by Michael Starr

Major Jewish organizations issued a joint statement calling on the mayor-elect to govern with respect for the city's diverse views.

 

Democratic candidate for New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani's Jewish supporters hold posters as they gather outside the venue of an election night watch party, after Mamdani won the 2025 New York City Mayoral race, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, New York, US, November 5, 2025.

(photo credit: REUTERS) 

New York City Jewish organizations and leaders expressed concern and celebration after Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor on Tuesday, following a campaign that worried many Jewish residents about anti-Israel radicalism.

Major Jewish organizations, United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York, Jewish Community Relations Council New York, New York Board of Rabbis, American Jewish Committee New York City, and Anti-Defamation League New York/New Jersey issued a joint statement calling on the mayor-elect to govern with respect for the diverse views held in the city.

"New Yorkers have spoken, electing Zohran Mamdani as the next Mayor of New York City," said the NYC Jewish groups. "We recognize that voters are animated by a range of issues, but we cannot ignore that the Mayor-elect holds core beliefs fundamentally at odds with our community’s deepest convictions and most cherished values."

The major organizations said they would continue to ensure the city remained a place where the largest Jewish community outside Israel could thrive.

Groups to 'continue to confront' rise in antisemitism

"We will continue to confront, without hesitation, the alarming rise in antisemitism and hate crimes, and loudly call out any rhetoric or actions that delegitimize Israel or excuse antisemitism," said the groups.

Supporters celebrate after Democratic candidate for New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani won the 2025 New York City Mayoral race, outside the venue of an election night watch party in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, New York, US, November 4, 2025. (credit: REUTERS)

Yeshiva University president Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman said on social media that as the city entered "a new political chapter" it was important to "educate with Torah values and to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people and State of Israel."

Hampton Synagogue Senior Rabbi Marc Schneier said on X that he had been prompted by Mamdani's victory to build the first Jewish day school in the Hamptons.

"This is in anticipation of the thousands of Jewish families that will flock to the Hamptons and greater Suffolk County to escape the antisemitic climate of Mamdani’s New York City," said Schneier. 

Former state assemblyman Dov Hikind, who had switched his endorsement from Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa to independent and former NY governor Andrew Cuomo said on X that they had tried and lost.

"What the lesson is will demand reflective introspection," said Hikind. "One thing that doesn’t work is trying to win the blame game. That never leads to growth or progress."

Republican Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, who had also backed Cuomo in a strategic voting endorsement, said that she would work with Mamdani for the sake of the city, but would fight against "destructive" policies.

"To everyone who voted for this radical jihadist freak show of a candidate: don’t come crying to us rational people when widespread antisemitism, food insecurity, and a total breakdown of public safety come to your doorstep," she said on X.

Jewish supporters of Mamdani expressed satisfaction about his electoral victory. Satmar Ahronim Rabbi Moishe Indig, who had endorsed Mamdani in a disagreement with other leaders from his movement, offered the mayor-elect "heartiest congratulations and mazel tov."

"We are proud to endorse you and look forward to your leadership, vision, and collaboration for the betterment of our community and all New Yorkers," said Indig.

Bend The Arc said that it knew that some Jewish New Yorkers didn't agree with Mamdani's policies, but hoped to work with them to find understanding. However they also attacked others for accusing Mamdani of antisemitism.

"We also know that some leaders in our community cynically chose proximity to power or perceived Jewish self-interest over solidarity in this election. They helped inflame tensions in our community and the many communities we belong to. Tensions we will have to repair," Bend the Arc said in a statement. "Using smokescreen antisemitism, opponents attempted to divide the multifaith, multiracial majority that makes up New York City. White nationalists have long recognized that this nation’s biggest defense against their plans for authoritarianism is our majority, so they used Jewish fear and antisemitism to attempt to break it apart. They, and the candidates they employed as their messengers, failed."

Kolot Chayeinu synagogue rabbi Abby Stein said in a video at Mamdani's official election night party that New York finally had a mayor that would fight for every resident, and would work to provide them with housing, childcare, and transportation.

Jew for Racial and Economic Justice congratulated Mamdani, and called for supporters to join a Thursday organizational call on future steps in support of Mamdani's agenda and building their progressive movement.

Michael Starr

Source: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-872789

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