Zohran Mamdani, the Muslim Democratic nominee for New York City mayor in 2025, made headlines for issuing a Rosh Hashanah greeting to Jewish New Yorkers. While public figures often extend holiday greetings to demonstrate goodwill, Mamdani’s message has been met with widespread skepticism and outrage. Critics argue that his greeting, delivered with “an oily smile”, as one Instagram user commented, is disingenuous, given his long record of anti-Israel rhetoric, support for groups aligned with Hamas, and his family’s history of controversial actions targeting Jewish communities.
Outrage Over the Greeting
Rabbi Marc Schneier, a prominent Jewish leader, slammed Mamdani for failing to demonstrate genuine remorse for his past positions. Schneier wrote that Mamdani “failed miserably” at the test of contrition, emphasizing that Jewish tradition requires sincere atonement during the High Holidays. (nypost.com)
Many Jewish community members have echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the greeting arrives just weeks before the 2025 mayoral election, and that Mamdani has never condemned slogans like “Globalize the Intifada.” The timing and content of the message suggest a calculated attempt to soften his image and appeal to Jewish voters, rather than a genuine expression of goodwill.
Family Influence: Mahmood Mamdani
Zohran’s father, Mahmood Mamdani, a Columbia University professor, has a controversial history of statements that have been interpreted as sympathetic to Palestinian militants. In his 2004 book Good Muslim, Bad Muslim, he described suicide bombers as “soldiers” and framed the Intifada as “meaningful” political violence. (newsweek.com)
Critics argue that this intellectual framing of violence against Israelis has influenced Zohran’s political worldview and contributes to the skepticism surrounding the sincerity of his Jewish New Year greeting.
Family Influence: Mira Nair
Zohran’s mother, filmmaker Mira Nair, has publicly criticized Israeli policies. She declined a 2013 invitation to the Haifa International Film Festival, stating, “I will go to Israel when occupation is gone” and “I will go to Israel when apartheid is over.” (forward.com)
More recently, Nair signed an open letter urging the Academy to disinvite Israeli actress Gal Gadot from the Oscars. (thepostmillennial.com)
Additionally, Nair has received extensive funding from Qatari sources for her film projects, which critics tie to Qatar’s support for Hamas. These associations amplify concerns about Zohran’s political messaging and the authenticity of his gestures toward the Jewish community.
Taqiyya and Political Deception
Critics argue that Mamdani’s Rosh Hashanah greeting exemplifies political taqiyya, in which public statements are used to conceal true beliefs or intentions for strategic advantage. Given his record of anti-Israel rhetoric and his family’s controversial affiliations, the greeting is widely seen as a tactical move designed to win votes rather than a genuine outreach to Jewish New Yorkers.
Observers highlight that the greeting is timed strategically ahead of the 2025 mayoral election. Coupled with his refusal to condemn antisemitic slogans, it paints a picture of calculated deception: words intended to placate voters without signaling substantive change in ideology or policy.
Look here what Mamdani said recently.
Community Skepticism
Jewish New Yorkers have expressed deep skepticism about Mamdani’s intentions. While holiday greetings are usually simple acts of goodwill, Mamdani’s history—backed by his family’s past statements, political affiliations, and ties—renders his message suspect. Many view it as a superficial political tactic designed to neutralize criticism and appeal to a key voting bloc, rather than an act of authentic reconciliation.
Conclusion
Zohran Mamdani’s Rosh Hashanah greeting to Jewish New Yorkers in 2025 cannot be assessed in isolation. When viewed in the context of his long-standing anti-Israel rhetoric, the controversial statements of his father Mahmood Mamdani, and the political activism of his mother Mira Nair, the gesture appears more strategic than sincere. The possibility of political taqiyya further reinforces doubts about the authenticity of his message.
For Jewish voters and the wider community, the greeting serves as a reminder to scrutinize political messaging carefully. Actions, affiliations, and historical patterns matter far more than carefully timed holiday salutations.
Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
