Sounding an alarm over what it sees as a perilous moment for New York’s Jewish community, the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) issued a grave statement following the election of Uganda-born Muslim Zohran Mamdani as mayor.
“New York must stand with its Jewish community before history repeats,” urged HMTC Board Chair Alan Mindel in a statement that invoked the lessons of the Holocaust and the upcoming anniversary of Kristallnacht.
Mindel’s comments took aim at Mamdani, describing him as “a purveyor of Jewish hate his entire career” and citing his criticism of Israel and the New York Police Department. It also condemned his association with the Democratic Socialists of America, calling the organization “at the forefront of modern antisemitism.”
Mindel warned that New York faces a moral test reminiscent of dark times in Jewish history. “If you can’t hear history screaming at you now, you never will,” he said. Referencing Kristallnacht — the 1938 “Night of Broken Glass,” when Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues were attacked across Germany — he urged vigilance against intolerance and complacency.
Mindel’s message recalled the deep roots and contributions of Jewish New Yorkers dating back to the early 1600s, noting that members of the community have shaped science, art, and culture — from Nobel laureates to icons like Leonard Bernstein, Stan Lee, and Irving Berlin. “We wrote ‘God Bless America,’” Mindel said, emphasizing Jewish patriotism across generations.
“Now is the time to prove we are no longer those Jews who stand by and watch it happen,” Mindel said. “We must all stand tall and ask our fellow New Yorkers to stand with us. Now is a time for resolve.”
Mamdani, whose promises critics call an unachievable utopia, targeted President Trump in his acceptance speech, who would have to approve funding for many of his plans.