<[link removed]>Friend,

Last week we announced our first mayoral endorsement ever — for Zohran Mamdani.

We received many messages of celebration, including one from Brad Lander, the most senior Jewish leader in New York City government:

“This is more than an election, it’s a story of what’s possible when we work together to create a coalition against fascism. This multifaith, multiracial coalition is the antidote to MAGA hate. Together, we can unite and win elections and make progress across this country. Bend the Arc is an important national partner in that fight.”

But we also received some messages asking for more information about why we endorsed Zohran. I want to thank everyone who wrote in, and share how we came to our decision after careful consideration.

First, the greatest threats to Jewish safety in the U.S. are Trump and the MAGA movement — and they want us to be divided from our allies. They’ve used every tactic to try to pull apart the progressive coalition behind Zohran, from smokescreen antisemitism to anti-Muslim bigotry and racism. As voters, we must see through these attempts and stay in coalition (even across disagreement) to win the future we dream of: safe, affordable and livable cities, led by those who fight fascism and protect our liberties.

Luckily, Jewish New Yorkers saw through the smear campaigns: Zohran scored an overwhelming 17-point lead with Jewish voters in the primary, and polls from last month show he continues to receive the lion's share of Jewish votes.1,2

Zohran has also won the support of Jewish leaders representing the largest Jewish communities in the nation <[link removed]> — from Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine to the Upper West Side’s Congressman Jerry Nadler to State Senator Brad Holyman-Sigal. 

I’ve directly worked with each of these representatives for years and know them personally. They are deeply committed to their Jewish identities and Jewish safety. They endorsed Zohran because of their Jewish values, foregoing ideological litmus tests and focusing on what policies he can deliver for all New Yorkers.

Second, Zohran has demonstrated a deep commitment to fighting antisemitism alongside our Jewish communities.

Zohran has visited synagogues and JCCs (including Kolot Chayeinu for Rosh Hashanah services), met with Jewish constituents and rabbis, and listened to our stories. We support his policy platform to protect all people across race, class, and faith by creating a Department of Community Safety and increasing funding for hate-crime prevention by 800 percent.3

Antisemitism historically increases when societies are highly inequitable. That’s part of why it’s so important for Jews and all of us to fight for equality and safety for all people.

When billionaires pledge millions of dollars to “anyone but Mamdani,” it’s not because of his positions on Israel. It’s because he’ll raise their taxes to fund social services for the millions of New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet. Electing leaders like Zohran, who demand the richest Americans pay their fair share, is part of how we secure a democratic, prosperous future for all and end antisemitism for good.

Finally,as a Jewish community, we have many different opinions on Israel-Palestine, but Bend the Arc is living proof that we can work alongside each other across those differences to defeat fascism.

Again, I’m so grateful for all the messages we received. Organizing together even though we don’t agree on everything is solidarity in action. It gives me hope that we can build the coalition we need to overturn authoritarianism and change the future for the better. Thank you.

Eli Williams-Szenes
Director of Advocacy and Political Affairs, Bend the Arc

PS: If you’re inspired and ready to reimagine fighting Trump in our cities, chip in to help us mobilize Jewish volunteers for Zohran in the critical weeks before Election Day. <[link removed]>

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Sources:
1. Zohran Mamdani Scores 17-Point Lead with Jewish Voters in NYC Mayoral Race, Newsweek <[link removed]>
2. Zohran Mamdani Holds Lead Among Jewish Voters for New York Mayor, New Polls Show, Haaretz <[link removed]>
3. How Mamdani Proposes to Make New York City Safer, The New York Times <[link removed]>

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