Tekiah Magazine

By Sophie Starr, December 2025

Credit: Madison Swart/Zohran for NYC

Zohran Mamdani is now the new Mayor-elect for the most Jewish populated city in America. Mamdani was born in Uganda and became a US citizen in 2018. The impact of Zohran Mamdani’s win of New York City is a multifaceted situation, especially impacting the Jewish people of the city. Mamdani’s election highlights a major rift within the Jewish community. 

According to polling and analysis, younger, more progressive Jews were more likely to support him, while many older or more traditional Jewish voters were wary. This explains the divide in the community which members were already worried about. “New data shows just how starkly New York City’s Jewish voters split in last week’s mayoral election — with Andrew Cuomo dominating in Hasidic and other Orthodox strongholds, while Zohran Mamdani swept progressive Jewish neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Manhattan on his way to a citywide win,” said Forward, a Jewish paper based on independence and transparency. This quote came directly from the writer, Jacob Kornbluh.

He was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020, representing the 36th District in Queens (Astoria, Ditmars-Steinway). Mamdani “focused” on affordability, housing, social justice, and public transit. When Mamdani ran for mayor elect he stood his ground. He ran for NYC Mayor in 2025, launching a campaign around making the city more affordable, for instance, freezing rent on rent-stabilized units, free buses, universal childcare, and higher taxes on the wealthy, which is already controversial because many would like to avoid spending money from taxes on public services that are not relevant to them.

Mamdani has publicly stated how he feels about the state of Israel and Jewish community, but claims he isn’t antisemitic. He rejects the idea of Israel as a “Jewish state” in the sense of privileging a religious hierarchy. He has said he “isn’t comfortable supporting any state that has a hierarchy of citizenship on the basis of religion.” 

When people are given a big platform like being the Mayor of NYC, they have a lot of eyes on them. Especially now post Oct. 7, 2023 and the subsequent ceasefire deals, all of these comments and actions are watched. Putting the wrong information out and posting it creates a divide and is dangerous. That is why more than half of the Jewish community all over the nation, not just in NYC, are scared. 

Looking back at interviews with family and friends, this writer has gotten the same response from all of them. They are worried about the rise of antisemitism. Post Oct. 7 antisemitism has been on the rise and fueled by other propaganda within the media. “The Jewish people have been worried about antisemitism for a while now but now since the Mamdani election and having this power, I’m not sure what he will let slide.” said Jodi Tawil when I interviewed her about the Mamdani election. 

What does this type of “ruler” mean for the Jews? Not only is the Jewish community worried about politics and policies, but they are more concerned for their safety and what comes next for them. Jewish students and community members expressed fear that Mamdani’s past rhetoric could embolden antisemitic behavior.  

He has strongly criticized Israel’s military actions, particularly in Gaza. For example, after the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, he referred to Israel’s response as part of a deeply unjust system. “The path to peace… can only begin by ending the occupation” and “dismantling apartheid.” These statements can be interpreted as antisemitic and anti-Zionist. 

During his time in the NY State Assembly, Mamdani has proposed legislation called the Not On Our Dime! Act, which would prohibit non-profits in New York from supporting Israeli settlements.

Right after Mamdani’s election, there were hundreds of reported antisemitic incidents reported by the ADL. On the night of Mamdani’s win, Nov. 5, there were two large swastikas drawn on a Brooklyn Yeshiva. One of the biggest concerns from Jewish leaders is that Mamdani’s administration could further normalize anti-Zionist or “anti-Israel” political discourse in City Hall. His past support for the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) Movement and criticisms of Israel are particularly alarming for some.

In response, Mamdani has publicly condemned antisemitism: he called the graffiti “disgusting” and vowed to “root the scourge of antisemitism out of our city.” Major Jewish institutions are taking a watchful stance. The ADL, for instance, plans to “monitor” his administration through a “Mamdani Monitor” to track policies and appointments relevant to Jewish security. Some see his mark as a potential risk to public safety, especially given his critical stances on Israel and law enforcement.  

The ADL created the “Mamdani Monitor” for this reason and a reinvigorated antisemitism hotline that has been around for more than a decade, but now it is more relevant than ever. Both of these tools will be a great start to watching antisemitism in NYC. “In light of Mayor-elect Mamdani’s long, disturbing record on issues of deep concern to the Jewish community, the ADL is watching and responding to the policies and appointments of the new administration.” To hear more about these tools, the ADL offers extensive information regarding these tools and antisemitism. Mamdani is set to be sworn in Jan. 1, after the new year has begun. From this point on, this situation should develop further.