The #NYC Council recently passed a bill that would require law enforcement to establish buffer zones around houses of worship in an effort to address intimidation. Stephen Wise Free Synagogue commends ADL for their work on this front. The moment demands clarity from @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social
Since Oct. 7, we have talked at length about #antisemitism & #antizionism. It’s critical that we unapologetically & emphatically drive home this message 👇
Jonathan Greenblatt and I discussed #antisemitism rearing its ugly head from the right, political #antizionism from the left, and how manifestations of extremism are threatening Jewish life today. A sobering take we can’t afford to ignore:
Many from our Stephen Wise Free Synagogue #NYC community & beyond joined us this week for an engaging and timely town hall with ADL's Jonathan Greenblatt. We appreciate PIX11 for joining us to cover such an important story:
youtu.be/95qhZJUUjYY?...
On my latest “In These Times” Stephen Wise Free Synagogue podcast, author Zibby Owens joins me to dig into what it means to be #Jewish at time of rising #antisemitism and renewed questions about identity and belonging. Full episode --> youtu.be/RZjCK326aco?...
The #Israel blame game for the #Iran war seems to be growing exponentially within the mainstream media. This narrative is dangerous amid an already hostile anti-Israel climate & #Jewish diaspora vulnerability. It must stop.
These amazing #Jewish thought leaders have persisted, driven by their sense of moral probity and fortified by their Jewish identity. It's the classic Jewish story.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
There’s a post Oct. 7 phenomenon: People like Zibby Owens standing in the breach & putting themselves on the front lines of a moral struggle, knowing what the cost will be. It is profoundly inspiring & deeply moving. Our full conversation: youtu.be/RZjCK326aco
This is the reason that for millennia, Jews ended the Seder with the words, “next year in #Jerusalem.”
Did @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social stay until the end of the Seder?
(4/4)
As stated in the Book of Exodus: “I, God, will bring you to the Land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and I will give it to you for a possession.” (3/4)
The purpose was not liberation for its own sake, as worthy as that is, but liberation in order to fulfill God’s promise to restore the people of Israel to the Land of #Israel...(2/4)
I connected with the @nytimes.com on this story today. I also mentioned that if @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social took the time to really study the Haggadah, he would discover that everything about #Passover leads to settlement in the Land of #Israel (1/4)
www.nytimes.com/2026/04/06/n...
My thoughts on Mayor @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social hosting Mahmoud Khalil:
The assault on Temple Israel was not a natural disaster, tsunami, hurricane or tornado that struck without warning. Hateful deeds are the end-result of hateful thoughts & hateful words-ignored, indulged, coddled, appeased or encouraged by moral, political, legal & civic authorities: swfs.org/carnage
This episode is especially important to me. The #Jewish community does not normally hear directly from Palestinians. On “In These Times” our goal is to platform voices like @afalkhatib.bsky.social that are not often given enough consideration in mainstream circles: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
It is not enough to highlight the risks of action. We must also address the risks of inaction. There is no moral obligation to wait until the oppressor gets stronger. My latest sermon addresses the morality surrounding the US #Iran #Israel war —> youtu.be/sN_ruAsKelI
In my latest sermon at The Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, I shared my sentiments after the 1st week of the #Iran war, including a not-so-surprising gross accusation that #Israel dragged the US into it — an accusation of which should concern us deeply. Watch my full sermon here —> youtu.be/sN_ruAsKelI
As the dynamic on the ground in #Israel is ever-changing, it is critical that we listen to Israeli experts who are able to unpack context we may not come across in mainstream media. Nadav Eyal joins me to help understand the major issues shaping the #Jewish state:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
What starts with the Jews never ends with the Jews. Sderot will come to Sydney. Be’eri will come to Brooklyn. Nir Oz will come to Notting Hill. First the Jews, then the Jews of the West, then the West itself...
Hollywood was built by Jews — but for decades, #Jewish identity has been something to downplay. Jonah Platt reflects on how fear and self-censorship have shaped Jewish representation, and why October 7th was a wake-up call. Our full convo --> youtu.be/dP87wcbPl7g
“Globalize the Intifada” means #BondiBeach. There is a direct connection between hateful words and hateful deeds. And there is a direct connection between hatred of #Israel and hatred of Jews.
It's easy for us to recognize "classic" #antisemitism, but Jonah Platt explains why it can be harder — especially for young Jews — to recognize #antizionism that goes beyond legitimate political critique as modern antisemitic libel. Our full convo --> youtu.be/dP87wcbPl7g
...but I emphasized that the #Jewish community will energetically oppose any and all anti- #Israel rhetoric and action.
...and will, inevitably, lead to an unproductive and tense relationship with the #Jewish community. What @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social says and which policies he pursues is up to him — he will be the mayor...
It is not about policy differences; rather, it is about the denial of #Israel's right to exist as a #Jewish state at all. I continue to worry deeply about the upcoming 4 years and conveyed to the mayor-elect that #antiZionist rhetoric & anti-Israel policies will threaten Jewish safety in #NYC...
I was part of a group of rabbis who met again with @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social. While we were pleased to be able to discuss our concerns with the mayor-elect, those concerns remain. We've never before had a mayor who has expressed this kind of ideological hostility to the very existence of #Israel..
It is incumbent upon responsible Western leaders to push hard against the normalization of #antisemitism & #antiZionism. My primary concern since Oct. 7 has been the danger anti-Zionism poses. We mourn today with #Australia’s #Jewish community. Thoughts via @jonesieman.bsky.social @nytimes.com:
The vast majority of Jews view Israel as integral to their identity. By gaslighting Judaism & Jews, they allow themselves liberties they would never tolerate w/ respect to other minorities. It's not for them to define Judaism. It is for them to decide whether to accept Judaism as we see ourselves.
It is a long-term strategy of those who are not even Jewish to draw a wedge between what they consider “the good Jews” — the ones who oppose #Israel — from “the bad Jews,” “good Judaism” from “bad Judaism.”...
The environment in NYC will become increasingly hostile to Jews. And then the city itself will become less tolerant, angrier, and more violent.
