Nearly 700 Rabbis Sign Letter Opposing NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani

NEW YORK (Just The News) — Nearly 700 rabbis from across the United States have signed a joint letter opposing New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a self-described socialist whose campaign has drawn national attention and sharp criticism from the Jewish community.

The letter, signed by religious leaders from a range of Jewish denominations, calls on voters to “unite across political and moral divides” and reject rhetoric that they say “seeks to delegitimize our Jewish identity and our community.”

“Now is the time for everyone to unite across political and moral divides, and to reject the language that seeks to delegitimize our Jewish identity and our community,” the rabbis wrote. “Words matter — and leaders who use them to divide or demean have no place representing a city as diverse and sacred as New York.”

Background

Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist and state assemblyman representing Queens, has been a controversial figure since his election in 2020. He has openly supported the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel and has criticized U.S. military aid to the country, positions that have sparked strong backlash from Jewish leaders and pro-Israel groups.

The letter — which began circulating among rabbinical networks earlier this week — accuses Mamdani of promoting “dangerous and inflammatory narratives” that could deepen social and religious divisions within the city.

A Growing Political Flashpoint

Mamdani’s campaign for mayor has been framed as part of a broader left-wing movement to challenge establishment Democrats in major cities. However, the rabbis’ letter signals that his approach may face serious opposition from New York’s large and politically influential Jewish population.

“This is not about partisanship,” one New York rabbi told Just The News. “It’s about rejecting extremism and ensuring that our city remains a place of respect and safety for every community.”

Mamdani’s Response

As of Friday evening, Mamdani’s campaign had not issued a formal response to the letter. In past interviews, he has said that criticism of his foreign policy positions is being used to “distract from the fight for justice at home.”

Still, the scale of the rabbinical opposition — nearly 700 signatories nationwide — underscores how deeply his candidacy has polarized religious and political leaders alike.