New York City Jewish organizations and leaders expressed concern and celebration after Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor on Tuesday, after a campaign that raised concerns among many Jewish residents about anti-Israel radicalism.
A majority of the city’s Jews voted for former governor Andrew Cuomo, according to CNN, with 63% over Mamdani’s 33%. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa received 3% of the Jewish vote.
Cuomo exceeded expectations projected in last week’s Marist University and Quinnipiac University polls, which indicated the independent candidate would win 55% or 60%, respectively. The same polls had Mamdani with 32% and 16% of the Jewish vote, and Sliwa with 11% and 12%.
Major Jewish organizations, United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York, Jewish Community Relations Council of 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 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 that the city remained a place where the largest Jewish community outside of Israel could continue to 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.
Stephen Wise Free Synagogue senior Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch congratulated Mamdani on his victory, but reiterated his concerns about the mayor-elect’s record and rhetoric toward Israel and Zionism.
“We will work with the new administration where possible and oppose it when necessary. Our threshold issue remains unchanged: whether our leaders respect Judaism the way Jews see ourselves, not as others would define us,” wrote Hirsch. “I urge him to be a uniter and a peacemaker by rejecting those who seek to divide us, and to continue seeking an understanding of how the vast majority of New York Jews – like Jews throughout the United States – are deeply attached to Israel and why they see the Jewish state as an essential element of their Jewish identity.”
The Orthodox Union also invited the mayor-elect to “embrace the responsibility of governing for all” by ensuring protection, dignity, and respect for all New Yorkers, including the Jewish ones.
“A significant part of the broader Jewish community, too often fractured and at odds, came together with a strong voice and organized effectively in turning out the vote,” said the OU. “We are committed to building on this progress. The Orthodox Union is more determined than ever to continue advocating for the needs of the Jewish people and transforming our collective strength into lasting impact at City Hall and beyond.”
Yeshiva University president Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman said 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 he had been prompted by Mamdani’s victory to build the first Jewish day school in the Hamptons, a series of towns and villages east of New York City.
“This is in anticipation of the thousands of Jewish families who 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 Sliwa to independent and Cuomo, said 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 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.
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.
The Bend the Arc progressive Jewish political organization said 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.
“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.”
Progressive Kolot Chayeinu synagogue Rabbi Abby Stein said New York finally had a mayor who would fight for every resident, and would work to provide them with housing, childcare, and transportation.
Jews 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.
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.•