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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 — 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.
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