Rabbi Criticizes Mayoral Candidate Zoran Mamdani

The rabbi of a well-known Manhattan synagogue has labeled Zoran Mamdani a “danger to the safety of New York’s Jewish community” and encouraged his congregation to back Andrew Cuomo for mayor instead.

Rabbi Elliott Cosgrove of Park Avenue Synagogue delivered this message during a sermon on Saturday. He expressed concern over Mamdani’s comments, which included a rejection of the idea of “globalizing the intifada,” questioning Israel’s legitimacy as a Jewish state, and making controversial statements regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during last week’s mayoral debate.

Cosgrove stated, “These comments and many others make him a danger to New York City’s Jewish political community.” He added that his followers should rally behind former Governor Cuomo, who is running as an independent in the upcoming mayoral election on November 4.

In his remarks, he warned that voting for Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa would effectively help Mamdani, the Democratic frontrunner, secure victory. “A vote for Mr. Sliwa is the same as a vote for Mr. Mamdani, whatever his merits,” Cosgrove said.

He urged his congregation, “There is a path to victory. No one should ignore this. We must vote.”

Mayor Eric Adams, who recently stated he would not seek re-election, addressed the congregation at Park Avenue Synagogue on Friday evening and shared his own concerns about Mamdani. The mayor later spoke privately with Cosgrove, as sources indicated.

Adams, a fellow New Yorker, is expected to continue supporting the Jewish community even after his term concludes, according to those present during his speech.

The newspaper has reached out to Mamdani’s team for a response.