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Jewish fears about Zohran Mamdani reveal more about us than about him — and it’s a problem

JL;DR SUMMARY The piece explores the contrasting reactions within the Jewish community towards Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim candidate for New York City mayor. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

Nelson MandelaPalestineNew York CityJewish VotersZohran MamdaniMuslim Jewish RelationsRabbi Elliot CosgroveDavid Dinkins

Places mentioned

New York, United States
"So as his sermon makes the rounds, I decided to share my perspective as a New Yorker with decades of experience engaging Jewish voters."
Los Angeles, New York, United States
"While Cosgrove was finishing high school in Los Angeles, David Dinkins was elected mayor of New York."
South Africa
"I remember in 1990, South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela had been released from prison and was planning to visit New York City."
Israel
"Dinkins opposed anti-Zionist resolutions at the United Nations. He traveled to Israel three times, including during the Gulf War while mayor."
Palestinian Territories
"Every single mayor in my lifetime has supported Israel, regardless of its actions in the West Bank and Gaza. None has supported Palestine."
New Jersey, United States
"(Or maybe they dont realize that for true New Yorkers, the outgroup is New Jerseyans.)"

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Cairo Item ID 64355
Cairo Source ID 42
Retrieved 2025-10-22 05:31:00 UTC
Curated 2025-10-22 08:30:41 UTC