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Shortly after Zohran Mamdani was elected as the mayor of New York City, I received an unexpected text from a new number. It was the mayor-elect himself reaching out.
I felt it was essential to engage with him, motivated by respect for his achievement as the new mayor. Our in-depth conversation followed a distressing protest outside my father’s Park East Synagogue. That night in the streets of New York was marked not by a political debate but by a coordinated act of intimidation aimed at Jews, notably targeting the doors of a religious institution.
This initial communication established a foundation for an ongoing dialogue focused on critical issues, such as how New York City delineates its boundaries, protects houses of worship, and exemplifies leadership in the face of fear encroaching into sacred spaces. Since that pivotal moment, I have maintained regular communication with the mayor.
It became apparent that we held differing views, particularly concerning the need for him to acknowledge Israel’s fundamental right to exist as a Jewish state. His past comments, which included demonizing rhetoric and antisemitic tropes like “apartheid,” “occupation,” and “genocide,” threaten the safety of the Jewish community in New York. I conveyed to him, as I do with every Muslim leader I engage with, that anti-Zionism equates to antisemitism.
I encouraged Mayor Mamdani to pursue legislative measures prohibiting protests in front of all houses of worship. This proposal was not an attempt to suppress free speech but aimed at establishing a clear and reasonable distinction between the right to protest and the right to practice faith without fear of intimidation. I commend him for his willingness to listen. Our discussions have led to substantive policy initiatives. In his second executive order, Mamdani instructed the police commissioner and the law department to review NYPD patrol guidelines to amplify protections for places of worship. The decree proposed evaluating buffer zones around synagogues, churches, and mosques, establishing a range of 15 to 60 feet from entrances, imposing additional restrictions during public religious services and applying relevant limitations during secular events.
This decision marked a significant advancement forward. The mayor recognized what Jewish communities throughout New York had been emphasizing for months: protests aimed at houses of worship overstep the boundaries of acceptable discourse.
In response to a planned pro-Hamas protest in Queens, the new mayor demonstrated his commitment to safety by deploying a contingent of NYPD officers to the vicinity just hours before the demonstration was set to begin. This proactive action ensured the safety of surrounding synagogues, Jewish schools, and families. It underscored that political disagreements do not negate responsibility. In his statement, Mayor Mamdani asserted that “chants in support of a terrorist organization have no place in our city.”
In my view, his remarks signal recognition that prior rhetoric and hesitance during protests, including instances where Mamdani was present, were inappropriate. I interpret his assertion that such chants have “no place in the city” as an acknowledgment that hate speech directed at Jewish New Yorkers can escalate into violence.
While the mayor’s condemnation of the protests might come at a political price with some of his progressive supporters and members of the Democratic Socialists of America, this should concern everyone in New York. Rejecting terrorism and antisemitism ought to be noncontroversial in an American context.
However, gratitude towards Mamdani does not eliminate existing disagreements. He has taken a notable step forward. Currently, he is advocating for legislation in collaboration with Governor Kathy Hochul, who has introduced a statewide bill aimed at preventing protesters from gathering within 25 feet of houses of worship.
Effective leadership is not merely about articulating the right sentiments; it requires consistent action and timely responses backed by decisive measures.
Perhaps, with cautious optimism, we are witnessing a shift in the mayor’s understanding of Israel and the repercussions of anti-Israel rhetoric on New York City’s Jewish community, the largest in the world outside Israel. As I emphasized during the High Holy Days, true transformation does not occur instantaneously or out of convenience. It necessitates acknowledgment, reflection, and meaningful change.
As we move forward, the next vital step involves Mayor Mamdani actively joining me in discussions with global Muslim leaders and their representatives in New York, individuals I have collaborated with for many years. These leaders, originating from Arab and Muslim-majority nations, may not align with every Israeli policy, yet they accept Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state without question. They embody voices of coexistence, rather than incitement.
The responsibility now rests with the mayor, as the representative of all New Yorkers, to cultivate an understanding that Israel is integral to the Jewish faith. One cannot separate Israel from the Jewish community without compromising collective identity.
