NYC’s Chief Rabbi Warns Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani‘s Ideology Poses ‘Severe Threat’ to Jewish Safety
NEW YORK, NY - Rabbi Joseph Hirsch, a prominent religious leader in New York City, issued a stark warning about the ideology of incoming Mayor-elect zohran Mamdani, asserting it represents a “severe threat” to the safety and well-being of the Jewish community. Hirsch, who immigrated to Israel as a teenager and served in the Israel Defence Force, voiced his concerns during a recent sermon to his congregation, alleging Mamdani’s views are “indistinguishable from Israel’s most implacable foes.”
Hirsch’s warning comes after Mamdani, a 34-year-old Muslim immigrant and supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, secured a surprising one-third of the Jewish vote in last week’s mayoral election, according to exit polls. The rabbi expressed deep concern over Mamdani’s repeated refusal to condemn the phrase “Globalize the intifada,” which is widely interpreted as a call to violence.
During a meeting with mamdani in August, Hirsch and other religious leaders reportedly focused on the “fears of New York Jews” should he be elected. Hirsch argued that increased security measures alone would be insufficient to protect the community, emphasizing the need for a ”safe surroundings.” He cautioned his congregants that “If the overall atmosphere is hostile to Jews, it will severely threaten Jewish safety everywhere in the city every day.”
Hirsch further warned that hostility towards Jews historically escalates, stating, “And history has proven conclusively that what starts with Jews never ends with Jews. The city itself will become much nastier and much more violent.” He likened Mamdani’s ideology to that of terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah, and their supporter, Iran.
The rabbi’s strong stance has drawn both support and criticism. Congregant Ronen Schwartzman told The New York Post he was “proud” of Hirsch “for being vocal when you need it,” contrasting his pro-Israel stance with what he perceives as a less supportive approach from the Reform movement. Israel activist Lizzy Savetsky championed the rabbi’s speech on social media, stating, “He is unafraid to speak the truth.We need more Jewish leaders like this.”
Mamdani’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the New York Post.