Dear Mayor Mamdani

I Have A Few Things To Say

Dear Mayor Mamdani-

I realize that you were elected partially on your anti-Israel platform. But what you don’t realize is that you are actually stoking antisemitism which is something we Jews don’t need at this moment in time. Our antisemitism plate is quite full.

I don’t think you want the Jews you know personally harmed or dead, but your words do have consequences beyond winning political points. My oldest son debated against you in high school (he was on the Byram Hills team) and said you were a nice, smart, affable guy. He even showed me messages you sent him which were kind.

Having said that- as a smart guy I know you know that you are merely a mayor. A mayor of a city with the largest Jewish population I might add. I hate when people use the phrase “stay in your lane” but in this case I’m going to use it. NYC has oodles of problems that you could be working on instead of filming and sending out anti-Israel videos.

You seem singularly focused on the Jewish state- perhaps ask yourself why that is. There are many places where terrible things are happening- actual genocide. Like in Darfur, Sudan, yet I’ve never heard you mention it. Our own country has been doing terrible things, including murdering innocent children in Iran. Where is your outrage? Where are your videos about that?

Let’s talk about equality. You said that you would perhaps be willing to accept Israel if it gave all of its citizens equal rights. Arabs are allowed to vote and hold office in Israel- they are teachers and doctors who are an integral and welcomed part of society.

What about all the Arab countries that expelled all the Jews? They certainly privilege one religion over another. Why is it only problematic in the one Jewish country in the world? It’s inherent antisemitism which is certainly en vogue at the moment. Actually it’s always en vogue.

Maybe I’m extra sensitive because my grandfather was marched into a room where they gassed him to death when he was only forty. Babies and women were in those gas chambers as well. Six million Jews died- and it all started with similar rhetoric. Close your eyes and imagine standing naked in a sealed room knowing what is about to happen. Hundreds of thousands of other Jews were forced to dig their own graves and then shot in the back of the head so that they would fall into the pits they had just dug.

Israel affords us a measure of insurance. And peace of mind. Something you probably can’t understand. We should be allowed to defend our tiny country. If they would let Israelis live in peace, they’d be more than happy to do so. Trust me when I say that.

Right now my NYC kids have to be careful when they walk to and from synagogue. Wearing a Jewish star or chai feels like an invitation for trouble. My own temple has many layers of security- a necessity because of all the recent attacks.

Whether or not I am a fan of Netanyahu is not the point. You have no authority over international law and you know that. Also, would you arrest the head of Hamas if you could???? Maybe I missed the part where you mentioned that in your video.

I hate to be crass but FUCK YOU. You are doing more harm than you know. But I’m guessing you really don’t care.

Shame on you. Shame on anyone who helped elect you. Next time around I will do everything I can to end your political career.

Signed, A Mom and Nana Who Is Sick and Tired of Your “Jump On The Bandwagon” Brand of Hate