Executive Summary
- Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s victory has created a deep schism within New York City’s Jewish community, stemming from concerns about rising antisemitism and his history of anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian activism.
- Skepticism persists among some Jewish New Yorkers due to Mamdani’s past support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and challenges to Israel’s status, despite his pledges of inclusivity and efforts to reassure the community.
- The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has launched a “Mamdani Monitor” to track his administration’s policies and appointments, reflecting ongoing concerns from prominent Jewish organizations about his stance on antisemitism and community relations.
The Story So Far
- Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s victory has elicited mixed reactions within New York City’s Jewish community due to his extensive history of anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian activism, which includes support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and past challenges to Israel’s status as a Jewish state. These concerns are amplified by broader anxieties about rising antisemitism, though the community itself is divided, with some progressive Jewish voters prioritizing Mamdani’s domestic policies and opposition to Donald Trump over his geopolitical stances.
Why This Matters
- Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s victory has exposed deep divisions within New York City’s Jewish community, largely over his past anti-Israel activism versus his progressive domestic policies, ensuring his administration will face heightened scrutiny from groups like the ADL, which has launched a “Mamdani Monitor.” This creates a significant challenge for Mamdani to unite a diverse constituency with conflicting views and build trust across the city.
Who Thinks What?
- Some Jewish organizations and community members express deep reservations and skepticism about Mayor-elect Mamdani, citing his history of anti-Israel activism, support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and concerns about rising antisemitism, with some pledging to monitor his administration closely.
- Conversely, progressive Jewish voters and groups celebrated Mamdani’s victory, prioritizing his domestic policies on affordability and housing, and his opposition to Donald Trump.
- Mayor-elect Mamdani has pledged inclusivity and a commitment to protecting and celebrating all New Yorkers, including the Jewish community, despite skepticism from some, while also questioning the impartiality of initiatives like the ADL’s “Mamdani Monitor.”
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s victory on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, has ignited a spectrum of reactions within the city’s Jewish community, ranging from enthusiastic congratulations to profound reservations. The election results have exposed a deep schism among Jewish New Yorkers, largely centered on concerns about rising antisemitism and Mamdani’s extensive history of anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian activism.
Schumer Offers Congratulations Amidst Mixed Reactions
Senator Chuck Schumer, a prominent Jewish Democrat from New York, extended his congratulations to Mayor-elect Mamdani, despite not having endorsed him during the campaign. Schumer stated he had a “very, very good conversation” with Mamdani, emphasizing their shared commitment to improving New York City.
Schumer’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment of wary acceptance among some Jewish leaders following Mamdani’s win. Preliminary CNN exit polls indicated a significant division, with approximately 64% of Jewish voters supporting former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent, while about one-third voted for Mamdani.
Divisions Within the Jewish Community
The mayoral election highlighted divergent political views within New York’s Jewish population. While some prominent rabbis and Jewish organizations urged voters to oppose Mamdani due to his stances on Israel, younger and more progressive Jewish voters often prioritized his domestic policies on affordability, housing, and his opposition to Donald Trump.
Lila Corwin Berman, a New York University professor of Jewish history, noted that such a unified political voice has never existed among Jewish New Yorkers. She emphasized the historical diversity of views within the community regarding what is best for the city.
Mamdani Pledges Inclusivity Amid Skepticism
Mayor-elect Mamdani affirmed his commitment to working with rabbis and community leaders, vowing to protect, celebrate, and cherish Jewish New Yorkers. He stated his intention to be a mayor for every resident, including those who did not vote for him.
However, skepticism persists among some. Alana Zeitchik, an Israeli-American Brooklyn resident whose family members were impacted by Hamas, expressed her conflicted feelings about the election outcome. She agreed with many of Mamdani’s liberal domestic policies but questioned his understanding of antisemitism and anti-Zionism within progressive circles.
Concerns Over Past Activism
Concerns among some Jewish New Yorkers stem from Mamdani’s support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, his challenge to Israel’s status as a Jewish state, and a past pledge to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He previously declined to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada,” though he has since stated he would discourage its use.
In recent months, Mamdani has made efforts to reassure Jewish voters, including attending High Holiday services and participating in a Q&A session at Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn.
Progressive Jewish Support
Conversely, Mamdani’s victory was met with celebration by progressive Jewish groups. Jews for Racial & Economic Justice, a New York-based organization, publicly congratulated him. Outgoing City Comptroller Brad Lander, a prominent Jewish progressive supporter, attended Mamdani’s election night watch party, expressing strong criticism of former Governor Cuomo.
ADL Launches “Mamdani Monitor”
In the wake of Mamdani’s win, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) announced the creation of a “Mamdani Monitor” to track his administration’s policies and appointments, alongside a tip line for reporting antisemitic incidents. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt emphasized the expectation for the mayor of a city with a large Jewish population to unequivocally oppose antisemitism.
Mamdani expressed skepticism about the ADL’s initiative, questioning Greenblatt’s impartiality and citing a previous instance where Greenblatt had to correct a claim about Mamdani’s engagement with synagogues.
A joint statement from several Jewish nonprofit groups, including the UJA-Federation of New York, acknowledged Mamdani’s victory while noting that his “core beliefs” were “fundamentally at odds” with their community’s convictions. They pledged to continue working with all levels of government to ensure the safety and respect of Jewish and all communities, calling on Mamdani to govern with humility and inclusivity.
Ackman Offers Conciliatory Message
Billionaire hedge-fund manager Bill Ackman, who had previously warned that Mamdani’s victory could lead to an exodus of wealthy New Yorkers, offered a conciliatory message. He congratulated Mamdani and offered his assistance to New York City, regardless of who serves as mayor.
Mamdani, who had frequently criticized Ackman during his campaign, reciprocated with a conciliatory tone, stating he appreciated Ackman’s sentiment and would continue conversations with anyone committed to the city’s welfare.
Looking Ahead
The varied responses highlight the intricate political landscape Zohran Mamdani inherits as New York City’s mayor-elect. As he prepares to take office, he faces the challenge of uniting a diverse constituency with deeply held, and sometimes conflicting, views on both local governance and broader geopolitical issues.
