I enjoyed reading this. I think we need to understand though that it does cut both ways. Mr Mamdani is our state assemblyman for our district. In his four years as assemblyman he has not reached out to the Jewish community and has turned down several invitations to meet with the local Synagogue. An argument can be made that Mamdani practices the politics of division when appealing to “good” Jews and ignoring or worse to “bad or unacceptable” Jews. If he is to be our mayor I truly hope he can work towards being a uniter. And I hope the Jewish Community gives him a chance. Unfortunately I’m not hopeful on either count
It's interesting to read this in the context of your recent posts about with whom we choose to ally. As noted in the comments, Mamdani is far from perfect. But perfect is the enemy of progress, especially in times when we are facing the extinction of our democracy.
I'm a Mamdani supporter regardless. Just sort of thinking out loud.
Boy! That cannot be an easy task in North Carolina. We’re in Ontario Canada (long time members of Reform shul). It was tough here when I first got involved with NIF etc… can only imagine your environment. Kol Toov & stay strong!
Great piece of writing! What upsets me is the rather obvious fact that Mamdani cannot in any way get effectively involved in international matters. He’s entitled to his view, which has no chance of succeeding i.e. turning Israel into a non-Jewish state so why the outlandish outcry by so many rabbis? They would/could be more effective pressuring Bibi & his racist government instead of wanting to continue Their war !
I absolutely agree. Sadly, one of the super anti-Mamdani people, to the point of conspiracy theory, is my former rabbi from when I lived in Los Angeles.
In these days of polarization where one side refuses to talk to the other, I have often though how quiet many Jewish households would be if two different sides stopped talking to each other. I can remember sitting at my parent's table growing up where there was constant discussion between differing sides to an argument. How uninteresting my life would have been if polarization determined who I did and did not talk to. I live in Texas. While I have opinions about Mr. Mamdani's candidacy, it's not my place to generally comment. I don't understand how other Jews can support him when there is such overwhelming evidence that he supports people who seek our extermination. But I don't vote in NYC. So, unless asked, I keep my opinions to myself. I let my former college friends from 50 years ago speak instead. They will, after all, be affected by his election. Sam
The mistake was entirely mine. I thought "Never Again" meant that we, as Jews, would never again permit anyone to commit genocide against Jews. Apparently, "Never Again" actually meant that every Palestinian, regardless of age, was a Hamas terrorist and deserving of annihilation by the Israeli Prime Minister and military personnel under his command with weapons of mass destruction supplied by America. I stopped listening to debates between Jews after that.
Well said. We've got to stop reflexively fearing difference, and be much more thoughtful about our public letters and our group positions. I think individually many of us are more discerning, but as usual, the loudest make the most noise (that's a little self evident...oops). Those leaders just put up a barrier with Mamdani and the Muslim community. Mamdani has done the exact opposite. He wrote a letter in Yiddish (not personally) to the Hasidic community in NYC, and he's not even counting on their votes. I understand it's hard to know who is genuinely committed to anti semitism and who isn't....I found a grossly anti-Semitic post and comments yesterday responding to a Jewish NYer's Islamophobic post about Mamdani. The fear is real. But I think it's misplaced and needs a lot more of a thoughtful approach, as opposed to a reflexive one. Also, I host a podcast, Freedom Over Fascism, and do lives on Tues and Wed at 1pm ET. I'd like to invite you, Rabbi S, to be my guest.
I enjoyed reading this. I think we need to understand though that it does cut both ways. Mr Mamdani is our state assemblyman for our district. In his four years as assemblyman he has not reached out to the Jewish community and has turned down several invitations to meet with the local Synagogue. An argument can be made that Mamdani practices the politics of division when appealing to “good” Jews and ignoring or worse to “bad or unacceptable” Jews. If he is to be our mayor I truly hope he can work towards being a uniter. And I hope the Jewish Community gives him a chance. Unfortunately I’m not hopeful on either count
Congratulations on that wonderful and so deserved recognition, Rabbi Sandra. Plus I agree 100%.
Thank you
Thank you Rabbi. Congratulations also on your award
Thank you
It's interesting to read this in the context of your recent posts about with whom we choose to ally. As noted in the comments, Mamdani is far from perfect. But perfect is the enemy of progress, especially in times when we are facing the extinction of our democracy.
I'm a Mamdani supporter regardless. Just sort of thinking out loud.
Thank you
Boy! That cannot be an easy task in North Carolina. We’re in Ontario Canada (long time members of Reform shul). It was tough here when I first got involved with NIF etc… can only imagine your environment. Kol Toov & stay strong!
Great piece of writing! What upsets me is the rather obvious fact that Mamdani cannot in any way get effectively involved in international matters. He’s entitled to his view, which has no chance of succeeding i.e. turning Israel into a non-Jewish state so why the outlandish outcry by so many rabbis? They would/could be more effective pressuring Bibi & his racist government instead of wanting to continue Their war !
So on target.
I absolutely agree. Sadly, one of the super anti-Mamdani people, to the point of conspiracy theory, is my former rabbi from when I lived in Los Angeles.
I completely agree and appreciate (as so often) your succinct eloquence in making the point.
Thank you
Dear Rabbi Sandra,
In these days of polarization where one side refuses to talk to the other, I have often though how quiet many Jewish households would be if two different sides stopped talking to each other. I can remember sitting at my parent's table growing up where there was constant discussion between differing sides to an argument. How uninteresting my life would have been if polarization determined who I did and did not talk to. I live in Texas. While I have opinions about Mr. Mamdani's candidacy, it's not my place to generally comment. I don't understand how other Jews can support him when there is such overwhelming evidence that he supports people who seek our extermination. But I don't vote in NYC. So, unless asked, I keep my opinions to myself. I let my former college friends from 50 years ago speak instead. They will, after all, be affected by his election. Sam
Well said and true
Thank you
This. 🥹🫂❤️🇨🇦
Thanks you Rabbi Sandra and I'd like to encourage you and your readers to read ( and share) this piece by former Israeli Knesset member Avrum Burg also about the New York City mayoral election and what it means for the choices Jewish people are facing right now:https://open.substack.com/pub/avrumburg/p/jews-vote-mamdani?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=post%20viewer
The mistake was entirely mine. I thought "Never Again" meant that we, as Jews, would never again permit anyone to commit genocide against Jews. Apparently, "Never Again" actually meant that every Palestinian, regardless of age, was a Hamas terrorist and deserving of annihilation by the Israeli Prime Minister and military personnel under his command with weapons of mass destruction supplied by America. I stopped listening to debates between Jews after that.
Well said. We've got to stop reflexively fearing difference, and be much more thoughtful about our public letters and our group positions. I think individually many of us are more discerning, but as usual, the loudest make the most noise (that's a little self evident...oops). Those leaders just put up a barrier with Mamdani and the Muslim community. Mamdani has done the exact opposite. He wrote a letter in Yiddish (not personally) to the Hasidic community in NYC, and he's not even counting on their votes. I understand it's hard to know who is genuinely committed to anti semitism and who isn't....I found a grossly anti-Semitic post and comments yesterday responding to a Jewish NYer's Islamophobic post about Mamdani. The fear is real. But I think it's misplaced and needs a lot more of a thoughtful approach, as opposed to a reflexive one. Also, I host a podcast, Freedom Over Fascism, and do lives on Tues and Wed at 1pm ET. I'd like to invite you, Rabbi S, to be my guest.
Happy to. Message me