The moment for atonement has arrived.
Rabbi Marc Schneier, a notable leader within the New York rabbinical community, criticized Zohran Mamdani for “failing miserably” to demonstrate genuine remorse as he alters his former hardline stance on anti-police and anti-Israel sentiments, just before the solemn Jewish High Holidays.
In a pointed opinion piece for amNY on Monday, Schneier suggested that the Democratic frontrunner for mayor is altering his controversial beliefs more out of political necessity than from a sincere change of belief.
“Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, has consistently claimed that his views have ‘evolved,’” Schneier stated.
“However, what he offers is not true remorse. Rather, it is merely a strategic repositioning. To truly acknowledge your errors, one must first express regret for their prior actions.”
Schneier highlighted Mamdani’s inconsistent stance on issues such as decriminalizing prostitution, eliminating the city’s specialized high school entrance examination, and labeling the NYPD as “racist.”
Particularly scathing was Schneier’s commentary regarding Mamdani’s refusal to denounce the “globalize the intifada” slogan and his recent push to reject a Holocaust remembrance organization’s definition of “antisemitism.”
“The High Holy Days call for a profound level of self-reflection and introspection,” Schneier expressed.
“By failing to articulate his contrition and confession, Mamdani has woefully fallen short of this expectation.”
This opinion piece underscores the remaining skepticism among New Yorkers, especially within Jewish circles, towards Mamdani as he attempts to moderate his leftist views ahead of the mayoral election in November.
A notable Brooklyn synagogue recently imposed restrictions on High Holidays seating to congregants who aren’t registered to vote — a move insiders indicated was in relation to the Democratic mayoral candidate.
If elected, Mamdani would mark a historic milestone as the first Muslim mayor of New York City, yet his support for the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement against Israel, as well as his pledge to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he visit, have only intensified fears among some Jewish residents in the city.
Rabbi Schneier has been a supporter of Mamdani’s competitor, Andrew Cuomo.
He faced scrutiny when it was revealed that his 5-year-old son was listed as a donor for Cuomo’s campaign, according to the New York Daily News, which first reported the news.
Mamdani, a lawmaker from Queens, has consistently asserted that he harbors no antisemitic sentiments.
