So now Jews can’t safely gather in a synagogue, in a house of worship, in New York City — potentially a city emblematic of all of America, in order to learn about aliyah?
Wow. Things are deteriorating in New York faster than I could have imagined. Sadly, it was clear that New York had taken and would continue taking a turn for the worse, that “times they are a-changing.” But even with that expectation, it’s hitting New York with a force all its own.
It’s one thing theoretically, mentally and intellectually to wonder about what the changes for life for Jews in New York will take shape, it’s something else to get a foretaste of the shift to a more hostile New York City for Jews.
Last week’s incident at Park East Synagogue that’s gone viral has certainly given us a picture of what’s already here.
And it certainly is surprising.
I couldn’t have made it up if I tried. Who would have ever thought it would become controversial for American Jews to meeting in a shul about making aliyah?
Within Mamdani’s strangely bizarre and disturbing response to the verbally volatile, threatening, anti-Semitic protests blocking the entrance to the synagogue where a Nefesh B’Nefesh meeting took place — Mamdani referred to a violation of “international law.”
Last I checked we don’t live in “International”; New York City is still part of America.
The United States of America.
Where American law is what needs to be followed.
An American mayor-elect fixates on international law instead of the law in the province which he supposedly will lead, New York law.
He continues with his subtle set-up of the “Good Jew”— one disconnected from Israel and possibly even against Israel — and the “Bad Jew” — a supporter of Israel, the one Jewish state in the world, who might even be considering immigrating to Israel. In a word, a “Zionist.”
Setting all that aside, Mamdani’s response almost sounds like he’s blaming the victim here — Jews meeting in a synagogue, for committing a crime, hence kind of deserving the hideous protesters’ wrath with their slurs and threats and “globalize the intifada,” which means kill Jews, which Mamdani has famously refused to condemn.
In other words, this very toxic phrase, with potential to cause harm to Jews, Mamdani has refused to condemn — and it’s a centerpiece of the protest.
With his appeasement style and recklessly irresponsible approach, Mamdani galvanizes these very protesters and others anti-Semites. This can lead to actual bloodshed.
He then speaks — as if with concern and good intention for the Jewish community — of his desire to increase security for Jews in synagogues, so they will feel safe.
Instead, how about Mamdani not leveraging his ‘leadership’ to foment anti-Semitism and condemning the dangerous phrase “globalize the intifada?” How about not fomenting the vitriol toward Jews or Israel that strongly contribute to the need for the increased security in the first place?
Also, as if synagogues in America barricaded by security is a goal or is normal, as opposed to symbolizing the terrifying deterioration of conditions for Jews in America?
So, this is how it starts? No, seriously? Is this how it started in the 1930s?
Where a normal transaction was made out to be that the Jews are causing trouble, and then, from there this kind of reframing of a neutral situation into planting suspicions and lies about Jews, and then, it metastasizes into full blown dangerous societal norms?
I happen to have been in New York City at the time of the protest, but was unable to attend the counterprotest. I know others who did show up. It was a deeply disturbing experience.
At Shabbat meals, the conversation veered to the fear this incident unleashed, and the general fear for Jews and Jewish life in New York.
Yet, walking the bustling urban streets of the Upper West Side on Shabbat, to and from shul and Shabbat meals, felt as normal as ever.
The endearing shtetl vibe was still there, as I passed outwardly Jewish clad men and women of all generations, young and old, out and about.
Even if shul security was intimidating, I was glad, for now, the streets still felt like the usual heimish Upper West Side.
On Sunday, just before I left to the airport, I popped into Home Goods, wanting to take advantage of the Chanukah display that’s always better stocked in New York because of the size of its Jewish community, where I was looking to pick up a little charming Chanukah something.
As I was scanning the shelves, a not overtly Jewish couple came in from the blustery outdoors, and began looking at some of the Chanukah paraphernalia, too, talking over some of the items, when I heard the gentleman say something like, “Yeah, let’s get that before Mamdani outlaws it.”
We locked eyes, as soon as he said that.
Yup, he said.
Again, we exchanged a knowing glance, as I walked to the register to purchase the Chanukah puzzle I had found.
© IJN 2025
