Zohran Mamdani, a progressive candidate in New York City, is garnering significant support from Jewish voters as he campaigns for office. His surprising visit to the Erev Rosh Hashanah (New Year) service at Kolot Chayeinu, a progressive synagogue in Brooklyn, New York, triggered wild cheers and applause. This unusually warm reception reveals Mamdani’s increasing, intimate tie with the community. The award ceremony recognized Mamdani’s achievements and the work of NYC Comptroller Brad Lander. Thoroughly enjoying the music, rituals and traditions that comprised the evening, more than 1,000 attendees packed the venue to capacity.
As Mamdani’s campaign heads into the final stretch, it has attracted endorsements and canvassing support from a number of progressive Jewish organizations, including Bend the Arc and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) Action. Yet Mamdani has found himself under fire from far-right activists and right-wing Jewish Democrats on Capitol Hill. While trying to win over Jewish voters, he stays doggedly focused on issues such as the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Recent polls show him in the lead with Jewish voters, a good sign as he heads through a potentially chaotic multiway race.
Growing Support Amidst Controversy
When he was introduced during the Erev Rosh Hashanah service, Mamdani received an exuberant reception. Beth Miller, a member of the congregation, noted that “He was basically swarmed at the end because people were so excited that he was there.” This is just one example of the deep community engagement Mamdani is building.
It’s not all been smooth sailing for his historic candidacy. Mamdani, for his consistently pro-Palestinian position, has come under fire from all sides. He was very critical of the bloodshed that Israel had wrought. In a recent X post calling out its responses as genocidal, on the second anniversary of the latest Gaza war, he stated that. In his brief four-paragraph statement, he never called out Hamas for its actions. He further sounded alarms about mounting human rights abuses in the area.
Val Vinokur, a political analyst, commented on Mamdani’s evolving rhetoric: “He has definitely modulated his rhetoric and has made a concerted effort to reach out to liberal congregations.” These tactical smarts have further advanced him among the progressive Zionist community. It also ends up frustrating his anti-Zionist fans.
Polling Insights and Community Engagement
In a research poll commissioned by Zenith Research, Mamdani has a 17-point lead among Jewish voters. This lead continues even within different subgroups. His campaign’s success in engaging with these communities can be attributed largely to grassroots efforts by organizations like Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ), which has actively knocked on doors and conducted phone banking to spread Mamdani’s message.
Mamdani is expected to win a large share of the Jewish vote. This is on the heels of the deeply polarized reaction to his pro-Israel position. Vinokur elaborates, stating, “He will win the Jewish vote despite and not because of his anti-Zionist background.” Democratic Primary Younger Jewish voters are trending left. In addition, they’re feeling ready and willing to act to engage in the fight for social justice.
Given the political climate, community members say they are discouraged by the lack of support Mamdani has received so far. Oren Magnezy stated, “It’s heartbreaking to see members of the Jewish community support Zohran Mamdani, who openly opposes Zionism — the national liberation movement of the Jewish people.” This raises larger questions about the schisms within the Jewish community on issues of identity and representation, and the struggle to exist at the intersections.
Navigating Complex Identities
Whatever his final standing in the race, Mamdani’s campaign strategy has been a rare and admirable exercise in inclusivity without compromising his values. When he was undergrad at Bowdoin College, that was him starting a chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. Since then, he has been out there, front and center, advocating for Palestinian rights. At first he adopted the catchphrase “globalise the intifada,” an illustration of his eagerness to enter provocative, contentious conversations. Later, he was crystal clear that he would “discontinue” it.
Jonathan Boyarin noted that “It’s been said that there are two kinds of people who confuse anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism: Zionists and anti-Semites.” This view sheds light on the differences some people are making between political opinions and private sentiments in the Jewish community.
For those of us who dream of creating the kind of equity and justice that Mamdani envisions, his efforts have hardly gone unappreciated. Younger Jewish voters have been increasingly galvanized by his dynamic campaign, looking to make the city a more equitable place to live. Vinokur asserted, “Younger Jewish voters are overwhelmingly liberal, have been galvanised by the dynamism of his campaign.”
