New York Jews Divided Anxious As Zohran Mamdani Nears Historic Mayoral

The Democratic nominee criticized Donald Trump’s endorsement of opponent Andrew Cuomo (AP Video by David Martin) New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks at Dutch Kills Playground on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in the Queens borough of New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki) New York mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa rallies with supporters at one of his campaign offices, in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.

(AP Photo/Richard Drew) New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo cheers along with supporters while campaigning in New York, Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) NEW YORK (AP) — New York City’s Jewish community — the largest in the United States — abounds with anxiety and friction a day ahead of an election that could give the city its... Copyright 2025 The Associated Press.

All rights reserved. New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks at Dutch Kills Playground on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in the Queens borough of New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki) NEW YORK – New York City’s Jewish community — the largest in the United States — abounds with anxiety and friction a day ahead of an election that could give the city its first... That candidate, Zohran Mamdani, has won over many progressive Jewish voters with vows to make the city more affordable and equitable.

Yet he has alarmed many other Jews — in New York and across the U.S. — with harsh criticism of Israel, including saying its military campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide. The tensions within the politically diverse community were illustrated Friday in a sermon by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, who leads Central Synagogue in Manhattan, one of the country's most prominent Reform synagogues. As a Jew and a New Yorker, Norman Needleman said he finds the city’s mayoral election “painful.” Waiting in line Friday to vote on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the 77-year-old Needleman thought Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old democratic socialist, would be good for the city’s social needs. But his positions on Israel were just too much for Needleman to accept.

“If I try and bend that far, I’ll break,” he said, quoting the musical “Fiddler on the Roof.” His comments reflect what has been a fraught debate, among Jews in New York and elsewhere, ahead of the city’s mayoral election Tuesday. Jewish voters have long reliably supported Democrats, and Mamdani won the Democratic primary, but concerns about rising antisemitism and Mamdani’s sharp criticisms of Israel have opened up a generational split and raised deeper questions... This election has shown clearly that “Jews and Jewish voters are not a monolith,” said Phylisa Wisdom, the director of the New York Jewish Agenda, an advocacy group promoting liberal Jewish New Yorkers. From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important...

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. New York City’s Jewish community — the largest in the United States — abounds with anxiety and friction a day ahead of an election that could give the city its first Muslim mayor.

That candidate, Zohran Mamdani, has won over many progressive Jewish voters with vows to make the city more affordable and equitable. Yet he has alarmed many other Jews — in New York and across the U.S. — with harsh criticism of Israel, including saying its military campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide. Two winning tickets were sold, entitling each holder to half the prize. The Missouri ticket holder’s share amounts to $893.5... US President Donald Trump posted a holiday message in a festive tone, listing his achievements while lashing out at his...

Former EU commissioner Thierry Breton among five facing travel restrictions over Digital Services Act enforcement. As Zohran Mamdani gets ready to be New York’s mayor, many American Jews are concerned and divided about his stance on matters related to the community. Mamdani won the Democratic Party’s New York mayoral primaries at a time when antisemitism has been on the rise in the aftermath of the October 7 terrorist attack. At the same time, Israel has faced unprecedented isolation globally and criticism in the United States over its war in the Gaza Strip that has killed tens of thousands of people and devasted the... Mamdani’s standing among the Jews goes both ways. While his views on anti-Israel, Palestinian movements and the refusal to acknowledge the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish state concerns some, others find in him an ally in their criticism of...

Mamdani has found support among some notable Jewish leaders and reports suggests a broad section of younger Jews also support him. Brad Lander, New York’s comptroller who is a Jew, has endorsed Mamdani. Representative Jerrold Nadler, one of the city’s most prominent Jewish leaders, has also endorsed Mamdani. Nadler said he and Mamdani would work together “to fight against all bigotry and hate”. Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani’s insurgent mayoral campaign has ignited a fierce debate inside New York City’s Jewish community, with mainstream organizations and veteran Democrats warning that his rhetoric on Israel is dangerous, and others... The 34-year-old socialist, a self-described anti-Zionist and the son of Ugandan and Indian immigrants, has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, supported boycotts of Israeli products, and said he would seek Prime Minister Benjamin...

In a city home to the world’s largest Jewish population outside Israel, Mamdani’s message has struck sharply different chords, galvanizing left-leaning activists while alarming many Jewish voters who view his words as inflammatory. Recent polling underscores how evenly split the electorate has become. A Fox News survey conducted in mid-October found that among Jewish voters, 42% supported Andrew Cuomo, 38% backed Mamdani, and 13% favored Republican Curtis Sliwa. A Quinnipiac University poll from early October showed 41% of likely New York City voters said their views on Israel align most closely with Mamdani’s, compared with 26% for Cuomo. Earlier surveys reflected similar divisions, underscoring a community sharply split over his candidacy. Earlier surveys reflected similar divisions: a Honan Strategy Group survey from May found roughly six in 10 Jewish voters backed other candidates over Mamdani, while a Zenith Research/Public Progress Solutions poll released July 30...

Mamdani has rejected accusations of antisemitism, saying his criticism is aimed at the Israeli government’s conduct, not at Jews. But the controversy has spilled into nearly every corner of New York’s civic life, from synagogue boards and dinner tables to political fundraisers and classrooms, as voters grapple with the broader meaning of his...

People Also Search

• Mamdani's Mayoral Victory Divides Jewish New Yorkers - The New York Times
• New York's Jewish community divided, anxious over Mamdani ... - AP News
• New York Jews divided, anxious as Zohran Mamdani nears historic mayoral bid
• New York's Jewish community divided, anxious over Mamdani, an Israel critic
• How Zohran Mamdani's run for mayor has split Jews in New York and ...
• New York's Jewish community divided, anxious as city faces potential ...
• NYC Jews split on Mamdani mayoral bid | Israel Hayom
• After Zohran Mamdani's Mayoral Victory, Jewish New Yorkers Face a ...
• As Zohran Mamdani gets ready to be New York's mayor, many Jews are ...
• Zohran Mamdani's NYC mayoral bid splits Jewish Democrats