Zohran Mamdani has found an unlikely coalition within the Jewish community in NYC - progressive Jews who share his pro-Palestinian stance. Despite controversy over his anti-Zionist views, Mamdani is leading among Jewish voters, with some polls showing a 17-point lead.
Mamdani's message of inclusivity and economic justice resonates with younger Jewish voters, many of whom are liberal and sympathetic to Palestinians. Organizations like Bend the Arc, Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) Action, and Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ) have endorsed Mamdani, citing his commitment to human rights.
The growth of this coalition is attributed to the efforts of JFREJ's electoral arm, The Jewish Vote, which has canvassed door-to-door with Jewish voters. Alicia Singham Goodwin, political director of JFREJ, notes that her organization is not just about politics but also about meeting the needs of Jewish communities. "We care about what our neighbors are worried about, excited and hopeful for - what they need for their families."
Mamdani's strategy to win over the Jewish vote has been nuanced, with a focus on building bridges between different segments of the community. Val Vinokur, professor of literary studies at The New School, suggests that Mamdani has modulated his rhetoric to reach out to liberal congregations, making him more palatable to some progressive Zionists.
However, this shift in tone has not pleased all anti-Zionist supporters, who view it as a compromise. Jonathan Boyarin, American anthropologist and Mann professor of modern Jewish studies at Cornell University, argues that Mamdani's line between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism is clear. "It's been said that there are two kinds of people who confuse anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism: Zionists and anti-Semites."
As the mayoral election approaches, experts predict that Mamdani will secure the Jewish vote, despite his anti-Zionist background. Younger Jewish voters are overwhelmingly liberal and have been galvanised by the dynamism of his campaign. The JFREJ annual gala fundraiser, where NYC Comptroller Brad Lander was honoured alongside Mamdani, cemented this new political moment - one in which progressive Jews are no longer fringe but a majority among New Yorkers.
Ultimately, Zohran Mamdani's unlikely coalition represents a new era of Jewish politics in NYC. His message of inclusivity and economic justice has resonated with many who feel that traditional politics have failed to address their concerns. As the election unfolds, one thing is clear - the future of Jewish politics will be shaped by a younger, more progressive generation.
Mamdani's message of inclusivity and economic justice resonates with younger Jewish voters, many of whom are liberal and sympathetic to Palestinians. Organizations like Bend the Arc, Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) Action, and Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ) have endorsed Mamdani, citing his commitment to human rights.
The growth of this coalition is attributed to the efforts of JFREJ's electoral arm, The Jewish Vote, which has canvassed door-to-door with Jewish voters. Alicia Singham Goodwin, political director of JFREJ, notes that her organization is not just about politics but also about meeting the needs of Jewish communities. "We care about what our neighbors are worried about, excited and hopeful for - what they need for their families."
Mamdani's strategy to win over the Jewish vote has been nuanced, with a focus on building bridges between different segments of the community. Val Vinokur, professor of literary studies at The New School, suggests that Mamdani has modulated his rhetoric to reach out to liberal congregations, making him more palatable to some progressive Zionists.
However, this shift in tone has not pleased all anti-Zionist supporters, who view it as a compromise. Jonathan Boyarin, American anthropologist and Mann professor of modern Jewish studies at Cornell University, argues that Mamdani's line between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism is clear. "It's been said that there are two kinds of people who confuse anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism: Zionists and anti-Semites."
As the mayoral election approaches, experts predict that Mamdani will secure the Jewish vote, despite his anti-Zionist background. Younger Jewish voters are overwhelmingly liberal and have been galvanised by the dynamism of his campaign. The JFREJ annual gala fundraiser, where NYC Comptroller Brad Lander was honoured alongside Mamdani, cemented this new political moment - one in which progressive Jews are no longer fringe but a majority among New Yorkers.
Ultimately, Zohran Mamdani's unlikely coalition represents a new era of Jewish politics in NYC. His message of inclusivity and economic justice has resonated with many who feel that traditional politics have failed to address their concerns. As the election unfolds, one thing is clear - the future of Jewish politics will be shaped by a younger, more progressive generation.
. It's beautiful to see Zohran Mamdani building bridges with progressive Jews who are eager for change 
. His focus on economic justice and inclusivity is really speaking to a lot of young people right now 
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. I think it takes courage to be open to feedback and adjust your approach, especially when you're passionate about something like this 
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. It's clear that there are a lot of dedicated people working towards creating positive change in NYC 
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. It's exciting to see what the future holds for Jewish politics and how it might look different from now on 
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this coalition thingy is lowkey amazing! Progressive Jews for Palestinians, how cool is that?! I mean Zohran Mamdani's message really hits home for those who feel left out or marginalized in the community. The JFREJ's door-to-door canvassing is so smart, they're like, "Hey, what's your story?" You know? It's all about human rights and economic justice, it's not just about politics 
He's finding common ground with progressive Jews and it's about time someone did 
What's next? Are we gonna see some real change in NYC or just more of the same old politickin'? 
. Zohran Mamdani's sudden shift to appealin' to liberal Jews and makin' them feel included is just too convenient. It's like he's tryin' to distract us from the real issues at hand. I mean, what's really drivin' his message of inclusivity and economic justice? Is it just a genuine attempt to bring people together or is there somethin' more sinister at play?
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And yeah, the JFREJ's work is really admirable, they're not just about politics, but also about listening to what their neighbors need. It's a great way to build bridges and make people feel seen. 
. It'll be fascinating to see how this plays out in the election and what it means for the future of Jewish politics in NYC 
. But what's with all the different groups endorsing him? Like, how does that work? And isn't there something about Zionism and stuff that's kinda a big deal? 