NEW YORK (AP) — New York City’s Jewish community— the largest in the United States — is facing considerable anxiety and friction ahead of an election that could potentially result in the city’s first Muslim mayor.
The leading candidate, Zohran Mamdani, has garnered significant support from progressive Jewish voters who appreciate his promises for enhanced affordability and equity in the city. However, his outspoken criticism of Israel, including labeling its military actions in Gaza as genocide, has alarmed many in the Jewish community both locally and nationwide.
This tension was evident during a sermon delivered by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl of Central Synagogue, a prominent Reform synagogue in Manhattan, where she voiced criticism of Mamdani’s statements on Israel, while refraining from endorsing either of his electoral opponents, former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. She urged her community to avoid harmful political polarization.
“This infighting endangers all of us,” Buchdahl said. “It creates an environment where we impose litmus tests on other Jews.”
Buchdahl has faced criticism for not signing a statement backed by over 1,000 Jewish clergy members denouncing Mamdani. She clarified that her principled stance is against endorsing candidates or signing collective statements, emphasizing a sense of true engagement in difficult conversations.
During her sermon, she expressed her concern that Mamdani's rhetoric contributes to the normalization of antisemitism, suggesting it reinforces harmful stereotypes that Jews are responsible for the challenges faced by others.
Mamdani, while courting Jewish voters, has vowed to increase funding to address antisemitic incidents and condemned violence from groups like Hamas, calling the attacks on October 7, 2023, “a horrific war crime.”
Despite this, he remains committed to advocating for Palestinian rights, a stance that raises concerns among many Jewish voters, especially with his intent to direct law enforcement to act against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he visit New York.
In her sermon, Buchdahl acknowledged the younger Jewish voices advocating for broader issues beyond a single focus on Israel, recognizing a shift in engagement styles with contentious political figures.
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, echoed Buchdahl’s sentiments, underscoring the need for thoughtful consideration before voting.
“If you think the choice for mayor is simple, I respectfully suggest that you are not paying attention,” he stated, acknowledging Mamdani’s commitment to empathizing with Jewish community concerns.
On the other side, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, a prominent Conservative rabbi, articulated serious concerns regarding Mamdani’s potential security risks to the Jewish community.
The polarization extends even within the Hasidic community, which has shown conflicting endorsements of Mamdani and Cuomo, revealing complex dynamics at play within leadership.
Commentator Peter Beinart has recently criticized the organized American Jewish community for prioritizing unconditional support for Israel over other critical values, demonstrating the depth of the rift as the election nears.
The upcoming election poses not just a question of leadership, but a reflection of the Jewish community’s evolving identity and its relationships with broader societal and political issues.
