Mayor Mamdani to Meet with Jewish Leaders, but Critics Call It a 'Photo-Op'

The 15-20 minute meeting is expected to cater mainly to Orthodox Jewish community leaders, not mainstream advocacy groups.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 10:37pm

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani plans to meet with some Jewish leaders on Monday, but critics are calling the brief meeting a 'photo-op'. The sit-down is expected to involve mainly Orthodox Jewish community leaders, including at least one who endorsed Mamdani for mayor, rather than mainstream Jewish advocacy groups. One Jewish leader declined to attend, calling the short 15-20 minute meeting an 'insult' and a 'photo-op'.

Why it matters

Mamdani's anti-Israel views have strained relations with many in the Jewish community since his mayoral campaign, and he has struggled to defuse tensions since taking office. The meeting comes after Mamdani's wife faced criticism for 'liking' social media posts questioning Hamas' actions and celebrating a terror attack in Israel, as well as Mamdani hosting an anti-Israel activist at Gracie Mansion.

The details

The meeting is expected to cater mainly to Orthodox Jewish community leaders, including Rabbi Moshe Indig, a leader of a Satmar sect in Williamsburg, Brooklyn who endorsed Mamdani for mayor. Rabbi David Niederman, president of the United Jewish Organization of Williamsburg, is also expected to attend. However, mainstream Jewish advocacy groups like the ADL, JCRC, and AJC were not invited.

  • The meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 17, 2026.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The Muslim mayor of New York City whose anti-Israel views have strained relations with the Jewish community.

Rama Duwaji

Mamdani's wife, a Syrian-American artist who faced criticism for 'liking' social media posts questioning Hamas' actions and celebrating a terror attack in Israel.

Rabbi Moshe Indig

A leader of a Satmar sect in Williamsburg, Brooklyn who endorsed Mamdani for mayor and plans to attend the meeting.

Rabbi David Niederman

The president and executive director of the United Jewish Organization of Williamsburg, which has received millions in city funding, and is expected to attend the meeting.

Scott Richman

The New York-NJ regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, which was not invited to the meeting.

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What they’re saying

“It's a meeting with Jewish community leaders. I don't know the topic. We'll see.”

— Rabbi Moshe Indig, Leader of a Satmar sect in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (The Post)

“We were not invited.”

— Scott Richman, New York-NJ regional director of the ADL (The Post)

“Antisemitic rhetoric has fueled attacks against Jewish communities in the US and around the world for centuries. Antisemitism cannot be ignored and should never be justified.”

— ADL spokesperson (The Post)

“Welcoming someone known for justifying the October 7 Hamas terror attacks as an honored guest at Gracie Mansion — while some in the Mayor's inner circle have amplified antisemitic content and posts dismissing the atrocities of that day — sends a deeply troubling message.”

— ADL spokesperson (The Post)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This meeting highlights the ongoing tensions between Mayor Mamdani and the Jewish community over his anti-Israel views and associations, raising concerns about whether he can effectively govern and build bridges with all New Yorkers.