From ‘mazel tov’ to ‘conflicted,’ Jewish New Yorkers react to Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral win

Sen. Chuck Schumer, the New York Democrat and one of the most powerful Jewish politicians in the United States, did not endorse Zohran Mamdani and would not say who he voted for in New York City’s mayoral election.

But on Wednesday morning, he said he called the mayor-elect to offer his congratulations.

“We had a very, very good conversation,” Schumer said. “We said that we cared about New York City, and that we look forward to working together to help the city and improve the city. I congratulated him on running a very, very good campaign.”

Schumer’s comments represent just one taste of the mix of wary acceptance, fearful concern and joyous celebration from Jewish New Yorkers in the wake of Mamdani’s victory Tuesday.

Some prominent rabbis and Jewish groups took the unusual step of urging their constituents to vote against the Democratic nominee, saying his positions on Israel were disqualifying. Other Jewish voters, particularly of the younger generations, saw his views on Israel as a positive or viewed them overall as less important than his domestic policies on affordability, housing and standing up to President Donald Trump.

“It really has not been the case that there has been a single political voice or political bloc among Jewish New Yorkers, from the earliest period when Jews lived in this city,” she said. “There has always been a diversity of views about what is best.”

Speaking Wednesday, Mamdani affirmed he would work with rabbis and other community leaders “to deliver on the promise of not just protecting Jewish New Yorkers, but celebrating and cherishing them in the same city.”

“I look forward to being the mayor for every person that calls this city home, that includes the Jewish New Yorkers that voted for our campaign and those that didn’t,” he told reporters.