I am glad to "hear" your voice again and appreciate your ability to write and lead during this fraught time. We must show up and make every effort to save NYC from collapse, not just for our own sakes. Shabbat Shalom.
Did you happen to see today's NYTimes Opinion by Lydia Polgreen?
In it she writes the following: "When asked repeatedly by journalists to disavow the phrase "globalize the intifada, Mamdani explained that while he himself did not use that language, he understood why others did, calling it in one interview an expression of 'a desperate desire for equality and equal rights in standing up for Palestinian human rights'."
His weak defense of this abhorrent language would be like saying "Lynching of black people is really not as bad as people think it is!
Polgreen goes on to say "This answer drew wide condemnation across the political spectrum, and it seemed for a time, that it might derail his campaign's momentum. But Mamdani stood his ground, and surged to victory." She goes on to say "Yes, Mamdani is listening. But he also has core beliefs on which he was unwilling to compromise."
Stood his ground? Core beliefs on which he was unwilling to compromise? I'll say! His response shows one thing and one thing only, that he is digging in his embedded antisemitism and the uninformed of all kinds, including our own are buying into his charisma and his fantasies wholesale. But what else is new? This is such an ancient story maligned anew for modern times.
I think Mamdani gives a polite facade with lots of sophisticated sounding explanations behind which stand dangerous ideas and movements. Agreed with you -
Agreed but I think I just did what your next title admonished. I screamed about anti-semitism and you are right. We need to get off this laser focus and find other strategies for elevating Jewish voices.
So please can you define „gloablize the intifada“ because for me it seems you are just loading up the phrase with your own interpretation.
This is non sense and again what is Mamdani going to do to harm Jews in NY? And if you think his policies are bad? Look at the track record of republicans - debt and recessions all the way back for over a hundred year
As an Israeli Jew and the author of Holy Woman and six other books on Jewish spirituality, I want to say: I love Mijal Bitton. Her clarity, honesty, commitment to growth, and love of God makes her an ideal leader. Having weathered the missiles from Iran (and the ongoing missiles from the Houthis), I must admit that I am more worried about my fellow Jews in America than I am about us here in Israel. Is Hashem tightening the screws there because it is His will that all Jews live in Eretz Yisrael?
I share your worry about the fate of pro-israel Jews in the diaspora. In many ways, Israel feels safer.
BUT - (1) As a proud American Jew I continue to believe the American experiment has been amazing and we must fight for it, (2) I do believe that the way things are right now Israel's safety is intertwined with the West and especially with America. So our fates are intertwined in a way that invites us to fight for Jewish life and safety in both Israel and America.
I have been terribly concerned for New York Jewry but have kept my thoughts to myself, because who needs another Israeli saying "come on aliya problem solved."? This short piece of yours gives me hope. Well done.
Thank you for sharing this. Was struck by this line - which is something so important and that many congregational leaders forget.
"I’ve never said who I vote for. As a congregational leader, I’ve always been deeply gratified when people across the spectrum have told me they can’t locate me politically. To me, that’s a sign I’ve done something right—that I’ve protected the Torah from being cheapened by party politics."
This should be true of our religious leaders, journalists, teachers, and professors. When these norms breakdown - we lose something very sacred - our shared community. Of course, weighing in something so existential and that relates directly to our community requires speaking up. This is akin to institutional neutrality. Organizations and leaders should not weigh in on political issues unless they directly affect the community. This is a perfect example of this. Thank you for this powerful piece. In Pittsburgh, we feel like we have been living this sad new reality for more almost a decade since 10.27.2018. and then came 10.07.2023.
I was struck by this as well. As an educator myself, I hold a litmus test for the words I write and speak in public: could I say this in front of a student? To a student? In a learning environment? Would It harm them? Would it spur harm from others or harm to themselves ? There is still plenty of room for challenge without harm, that is where real learning happen. Sadly I think many in my sector do not live by this credo anymore, in their classrooms or personal media. But it is a heavy responsibility to be an educator, whether of Torah or anything else, and a teacher should facilitate rather than dictate, should always arrive to welcome someone in.
Defeating Mamdani is essential. But the battle is also for the future of America and her value. It is those values that have made Jewish flourishing possible here.
That he has gotten this far is testament to how far radically left the DNC has gone.The party is looking for potential candidates and grooming them for public office at every level of government .
Jewish leaders must convene and support one candidate and sheppard those they influence to vote for this one person
From what I’m reading it looks like Mayor Adam’s is the one who can beat Mamdani
May Hashem guide our leaders and protect Our people.
Is the message that it’s time for as many Jews as possible, to make Aliya and put our collective talents towards strengthening our Homeland.
It’s on us to hear the knocking and open the door wide קול דודי דופק
Reform Judaism had become political rather than religious. Look at the times reform jewish organizations have press releases. It is in support of democratic policies. For example, i have not found a single a single press release demanding the release of the hostages. Nor in defense of Jewish students in campuses. But there is one attacking Trump’s demands for universities to enforce Title VI. And every reform jewish organization signed that one together. So they can organize ——- when it is political.
I am “mad as hell” and maybe the anti-Mamdani movement is a way to express that. But we need to get organized about that with money and message.
Your most Herculean task is to get other Jews and white liberals on your side, after they've spent decades being brainwashed by people who despise high achievers. The easiest task will be getting Indians and most LEGAL immigrants on your side; that's why they came here. And also remind people that the NYPD announced they will suspend their normal services if that Mamluk gets elected.
I believe that most of those who voted for Mamdani are Jew haters to one degree or another, even those who claim to be Jewish themselves. I believe that Jew hatred has become not only acceptable but encouraged amongst the subset of New Yorkers who will vote for Mamdani. Even the ones who are clueless, if they can’t be arsed to pay attention to the openly Jew hating utterances of Mamdani, they are being willfully clueless because they hate Jews and they hate the West.
I don't agree - if we look at polling we see that Mark levine who is very openly pro-Israel won by large margings in NYC. Part of this is that Mamdani is a very charismatic individual who run a very positive campaign. He was also against a complicated politician with an awful campaign. I don't think most of the NYers who voted for Mamdani were doing so as a referendum on Jews or Israel even if they didn't care about the DSA's extremist anti-Israel politics.
Remember, if people didn’t like Cuomo they had the option of staying home or only ranking others besides Mamdani or Cuomo. Instead, around half a million New Yorkers ranked Mamdani. I’m finding it hard to believe there isn’t some element of Jew hatred amongst those half million people.
I don’t think most NYC voters are antisemitic, I think specifically most who voted Mamdani are. I’m finding ignorance to be less and less compelling as an excuse.
Yes, I mean many who voted for him ALSO voted for Mark Levine. I just dont think most of them outside of hyper activist bubble were thinking about Israel in their vote. And many, many, thought that because Brad Lander and Mamdani cross-endorsed each other - that accusations of antisemitism weren't real. I think we need to keep this in mind as we strategize..
Well one can always hope that 500,000 people did not specifically vote for a combination of globalize the intifada and define the police. I’m just not sure...
It’s not illegal to financially support Israeli charities or causes. It’s not illegal to support charities or causes in any country to my knowledge. Americans and Europeans for years have been actively supporting terrorists groups like Hamas through NGOs, legally, and nobody bats an eyelash. So all of a sudden supporting organizations in Israel that help the victims of terrorists attacks should become illegal, and that is NOT antisemitic?
Ok, and who does the “authorizing” and by what authority? Authorizing NGOs to funnel money to terrorist groups and NOT authorizing organization who donate money to help terror victims- sound to me like there a huge problem with the “authorizing” authority, and it sounds like whenever this “authorizer” is, together with Mamdan, hates Jews. And yes, the f word is cursing, and there is no need for you to curse at me, even if I am wrong. But it sound to me as if you hate Jews yourself, and you will easily curse at a Jew for no good reason and excuse any law that hurts Jews.
You are reaching back into history in a discussion of current events? The charities listed are not fighting forces. They are charities that assist the victims of terror. I could understand if there was a rule against not for profits supporting the idf- if in fact there was also a rule against not for profits supporting other armed forces. That is not the case here. Also, Israel is an American ally and as such even there, an American not for profit SHOULD be allowed to support the idf. The Irgun is irrelevant to the discussion here. “Kills children”? The idf and Hamas are not the same. The idf does it’s utmost to avoid hurting innocents, but in war there are casualties no matter how hard you try to avoid if. Hamas and the Arab Muslim civilians from Gaza purposely massacred innocents on 10/7. And they use innocents as human shields. Israel is fighting a defensive was it did not want. There is zero comparison, and any such comparison is indicative of Jew hatred. Any law singling out Jewish and Israeli causes that does not similarly apply to other causes is evidence of Jew hatred. I have not seen evidence of similar laws to the ones Mamdani proposed applying to non Jewish and non Israeli causes. This unevenness is evidence of Jew hatred. Honestly I don’t even know what you mean about being woke right. I’m not woke in any way, neither woke right nor woke left. I happen to think laws should be fair and apply to all groups evenly, and that it is unjust for only one ethnic groups to be singled out by any given law.
I am glad to "hear" your voice again and appreciate your ability to write and lead during this fraught time. We must show up and make every effort to save NYC from collapse, not just for our own sakes. Shabbat Shalom.
Thank you! Shabbat Shalom!
Did you happen to see today's NYTimes Opinion by Lydia Polgreen?
In it she writes the following: "When asked repeatedly by journalists to disavow the phrase "globalize the intifada, Mamdani explained that while he himself did not use that language, he understood why others did, calling it in one interview an expression of 'a desperate desire for equality and equal rights in standing up for Palestinian human rights'."
His weak defense of this abhorrent language would be like saying "Lynching of black people is really not as bad as people think it is!
Polgreen goes on to say "This answer drew wide condemnation across the political spectrum, and it seemed for a time, that it might derail his campaign's momentum. But Mamdani stood his ground, and surged to victory." She goes on to say "Yes, Mamdani is listening. But he also has core beliefs on which he was unwilling to compromise."
Stood his ground? Core beliefs on which he was unwilling to compromise? I'll say! His response shows one thing and one thing only, that he is digging in his embedded antisemitism and the uninformed of all kinds, including our own are buying into his charisma and his fantasies wholesale. But what else is new? This is such an ancient story maligned anew for modern times.
I hadn't seen - I will look it up.
I think Mamdani gives a polite facade with lots of sophisticated sounding explanations behind which stand dangerous ideas and movements. Agreed with you -
Agreed but I think I just did what your next title admonished. I screamed about anti-semitism and you are right. We need to get off this laser focus and find other strategies for elevating Jewish voices.
So please can you define „gloablize the intifada“ because for me it seems you are just loading up the phrase with your own interpretation.
This is non sense and again what is Mamdani going to do to harm Jews in NY? And if you think his policies are bad? Look at the track record of republicans - debt and recessions all the way back for over a hundred year
New Yorkers are in the front line but we all are feeling these same things.
You bring up excellent points about mobilizing and figure our way forward through this frightening time.
Who are ones to make this happen? I pray that we will see some leadership emerge that can bring American Jewry together.
We know we are small but we are mighty. We just need those who can lead us.
Yes - agreed that this isn't just for NY.
I think everyone has a role to play - both institutional leaders but also any individual who is willing to exercise leadership right now.
Thank you for this article. I am too quick to take my mind off Torah and feel helpless/hopeless.
I find that learning Torah and studying Jewish history gives me strength - our ancestors have overcome so much. We walk in their footsteps -
As an Israeli Jew and the author of Holy Woman and six other books on Jewish spirituality, I want to say: I love Mijal Bitton. Her clarity, honesty, commitment to growth, and love of God makes her an ideal leader. Having weathered the missiles from Iran (and the ongoing missiles from the Houthis), I must admit that I am more worried about my fellow Jews in America than I am about us here in Israel. Is Hashem tightening the screws there because it is His will that all Jews live in Eretz Yisrael?
What a kind compliment - thank you so much!
I share your worry about the fate of pro-israel Jews in the diaspora. In many ways, Israel feels safer.
BUT - (1) As a proud American Jew I continue to believe the American experiment has been amazing and we must fight for it, (2) I do believe that the way things are right now Israel's safety is intertwined with the West and especially with America. So our fates are intertwined in a way that invites us to fight for Jewish life and safety in both Israel and America.
I love this statement
That same thought about Hashem circles my brain.
“As an ….”
snore
I have been terribly concerned for New York Jewry but have kept my thoughts to myself, because who needs another Israeli saying "come on aliya problem solved."? This short piece of yours gives me hope. Well done.
I believe we need safe and thriving Jewish life in NY and in Israel :)
Shabbat Shalom!
LOVE your eloquence and honesty and vulnerability. TY for this.
thank you!
Thank you for sharing this. Was struck by this line - which is something so important and that many congregational leaders forget.
"I’ve never said who I vote for. As a congregational leader, I’ve always been deeply gratified when people across the spectrum have told me they can’t locate me politically. To me, that’s a sign I’ve done something right—that I’ve protected the Torah from being cheapened by party politics."
This should be true of our religious leaders, journalists, teachers, and professors. When these norms breakdown - we lose something very sacred - our shared community. Of course, weighing in something so existential and that relates directly to our community requires speaking up. This is akin to institutional neutrality. Organizations and leaders should not weigh in on political issues unless they directly affect the community. This is a perfect example of this. Thank you for this powerful piece. In Pittsburgh, we feel like we have been living this sad new reality for more almost a decade since 10.27.2018. and then came 10.07.2023.
Thank you so much, Jen. I learned from R' Jonathan Sacks about the need for this..
Sending love from NY to Pittsburgh - Shabbat Shalom!
I was struck by this as well. As an educator myself, I hold a litmus test for the words I write and speak in public: could I say this in front of a student? To a student? In a learning environment? Would It harm them? Would it spur harm from others or harm to themselves ? There is still plenty of room for challenge without harm, that is where real learning happen. Sadly I think many in my sector do not live by this credo anymore, in their classrooms or personal media. But it is a heavy responsibility to be an educator, whether of Torah or anything else, and a teacher should facilitate rather than dictate, should always arrive to welcome someone in.
Thank you Rebecca. I have the same test as an educator. I imagine some of my students and how they will hear what I say..
You are so admirable! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us! We missed you last week, glad to have you back to guide us through this difficult time
Thank you so much, Mazal!!
Love this post. Prayers and solidarity from Philly.
thank you - Shabbat Shalom!!
The sequel to your piece a few weeks ago, “ Why I’m Breaking Up With the Two-Party System as a Jew.”
Thank you - I've been thinking about it..
Mamdani is the fusion candidate - communism melded with Shia jihadism .
That a young man who had never had a real job, who hates America and her core values , was granted citizenship mission a scandal in and of itself .
Bill Ackman just posted on C that he met with both Mayor Adam’s and Former Governor Cuomo and he will support Mayor Adams
Here is a link to Ackman’s statements
https://x.com/billackman/status/1940602849424969733?s=46
Defeating Mamdani is essential. But the battle is also for the future of America and her value. It is those values that have made Jewish flourishing possible here.
That he has gotten this far is testament to how far radically left the DNC has gone.The party is looking for potential candidates and grooming them for public office at every level of government .
Jewish leaders must convene and support one candidate and sheppard those they influence to vote for this one person
From what I’m reading it looks like Mayor Adam’s is the one who can beat Mamdani
May Hashem guide our leaders and protect Our people.
Is the message that it’s time for as many Jews as possible, to make Aliya and put our collective talents towards strengthening our Homeland.
It’s on us to hear the knocking and open the door wide קול דודי דופק
we have a lot of work to do.
Here's a worthwhile article in reaction to what you said: https://www.thefp.com/p/ayaan-hirsi-ali-glastonbury-and-the
Shabbat Shalom!
Reform Judaism had become political rather than religious. Look at the times reform jewish organizations have press releases. It is in support of democratic policies. For example, i have not found a single a single press release demanding the release of the hostages. Nor in defense of Jewish students in campuses. But there is one attacking Trump’s demands for universities to enforce Title VI. And every reform jewish organization signed that one together. So they can organize ——- when it is political.
I am “mad as hell” and maybe the anti-Mamdani movement is a way to express that. But we need to get organized about that with money and message.
Please help if you know how.
Your most Herculean task is to get other Jews and white liberals on your side, after they've spent decades being brainwashed by people who despise high achievers. The easiest task will be getting Indians and most LEGAL immigrants on your side; that's why they came here. And also remind people that the NYPD announced they will suspend their normal services if that Mamluk gets elected.
I believe that most of those who voted for Mamdani are Jew haters to one degree or another, even those who claim to be Jewish themselves. I believe that Jew hatred has become not only acceptable but encouraged amongst the subset of New Yorkers who will vote for Mamdani. Even the ones who are clueless, if they can’t be arsed to pay attention to the openly Jew hating utterances of Mamdani, they are being willfully clueless because they hate Jews and they hate the West.
I don't agree - if we look at polling we see that Mark levine who is very openly pro-Israel won by large margings in NYC. Part of this is that Mamdani is a very charismatic individual who run a very positive campaign. He was also against a complicated politician with an awful campaign. I don't think most of the NYers who voted for Mamdani were doing so as a referendum on Jews or Israel even if they didn't care about the DSA's extremist anti-Israel politics.
Remember, if people didn’t like Cuomo they had the option of staying home or only ranking others besides Mamdani or Cuomo. Instead, around half a million New Yorkers ranked Mamdani. I’m finding it hard to believe there isn’t some element of Jew hatred amongst those half million people.
I don’t think most NYC voters are antisemitic, I think specifically most who voted Mamdani are. I’m finding ignorance to be less and less compelling as an excuse.
Yes, I mean many who voted for him ALSO voted for Mark Levine. I just dont think most of them outside of hyper activist bubble were thinking about Israel in their vote. And many, many, thought that because Brad Lander and Mamdani cross-endorsed each other - that accusations of antisemitism weren't real. I think we need to keep this in mind as we strategize..
Well one can always hope that 500,000 people did not specifically vote for a combination of globalize the intifada and define the police. I’m just not sure...
Mamdani has already introduced anti Jewish legislation: https://www.dailywire.com/news/mamdani-bill-would-fine-new-yorkers-1m-for-donating-to-unauthorized-nonprofits-in-israel
It’s not illegal to financially support Israeli charities or causes. It’s not illegal to support charities or causes in any country to my knowledge. Americans and Europeans for years have been actively supporting terrorists groups like Hamas through NGOs, legally, and nobody bats an eyelash. So all of a sudden supporting organizations in Israel that help the victims of terrorists attacks should become illegal, and that is NOT antisemitic?
Ok, and who does the “authorizing” and by what authority? Authorizing NGOs to funnel money to terrorist groups and NOT authorizing organization who donate money to help terror victims- sound to me like there a huge problem with the “authorizing” authority, and it sounds like whenever this “authorizer” is, together with Mamdan, hates Jews. And yes, the f word is cursing, and there is no need for you to curse at me, even if I am wrong. But it sound to me as if you hate Jews yourself, and you will easily curse at a Jew for no good reason and excuse any law that hurts Jews.
Sharona - I do not want that kind of cursing and incivility in my substack comments - I banned the user and deleted their comments.
Thank you. I don’t know why I let myself be bothered by this person.
You are reaching back into history in a discussion of current events? The charities listed are not fighting forces. They are charities that assist the victims of terror. I could understand if there was a rule against not for profits supporting the idf- if in fact there was also a rule against not for profits supporting other armed forces. That is not the case here. Also, Israel is an American ally and as such even there, an American not for profit SHOULD be allowed to support the idf. The Irgun is irrelevant to the discussion here. “Kills children”? The idf and Hamas are not the same. The idf does it’s utmost to avoid hurting innocents, but in war there are casualties no matter how hard you try to avoid if. Hamas and the Arab Muslim civilians from Gaza purposely massacred innocents on 10/7. And they use innocents as human shields. Israel is fighting a defensive was it did not want. There is zero comparison, and any such comparison is indicative of Jew hatred. Any law singling out Jewish and Israeli causes that does not similarly apply to other causes is evidence of Jew hatred. I have not seen evidence of similar laws to the ones Mamdani proposed applying to non Jewish and non Israeli causes. This unevenness is evidence of Jew hatred. Honestly I don’t even know what you mean about being woke right. I’m not woke in any way, neither woke right nor woke left. I happen to think laws should be fair and apply to all groups evenly, and that it is unjust for only one ethnic groups to be singled out by any given law.
Also, why are you so angry about my comment that you feel the need to curse at me?