12.11.2025

Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, outspoken backer of Israel, leaves meeting with Mamdani ‘encouraged’

OLIVE BRANCH

Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, outspoken backer of Israel, leaves meeting with Mamdani 'encouraged'

Hirsch: 'He is making an effort to reach out to as many representatives, particularly in the Jewish community, as he can'

By Haley Cohen

Prominent Reform Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch left a meeting on Thursday afternoon with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and a dozen diverse rabbis and community leaders feeling "encouraged," saying that there is "reason to be optimistic" that Mamdani will protect the Jewish community.

Still, given Mamdani's affiliation with the Democratic Socialists of America and antagonistic views on Israel — including his refusal to condemn the term "globalize the intifada" — Hirsch told Jewish Insider there remains "reason for the New York Jewish community to be anxious about Israel and safety."

"I hope that our concerns will be proven to be less acute given the mayor-elect's behavior in office, but we'll have to wait and see," said Hirsch, senior rabbi of the Upper West Side's Stephen Wise Free Synagogue and a self-described liberal who voiced opposition to Mamdani throughout the mayoral election.

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