NYC Mayor Mamdani Heckled During Passover Seder Speech

Attendees shouted criticisms as Mamdani addressed rise in antisemitism

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:27pm

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A cinematic painting of an empty, dimly lit banquet hall with a single spotlight illuminating an ornate Passover seder table, conveying a sense of tension and unease through the use of deep shadows and warm, diagonal lighting.The tense heckling of Mayor Mamdani during a Passover celebration exposes the divisive political climate surrounding issues of antisemitism and Israel in New York City.NYC Today

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was heckled by attendees while speaking at a Passover seder event in Manhattan this week. Mamdani was referencing the recent spike in antisemitism when an unidentified person shouted 'every Jewish organization is a target' from the back of the room. Other attendees shushed the heckler, but the event was marked by tense moments, including a woman shouting 'Shame, shame, shame' when Mamdani was first introduced.

Why it matters

Mamdani has faced ongoing criticism and backlash for his stances against Israel, including saying he does not believe the nation should exist as a Jewish state. This incident highlights the divisive political climate around issues related to Israel and antisemitism, even at a traditional Passover celebration.

The details

The heckling occurred at the 33rd annual 'Downtown Seder' event hosted by Jewish entrepreneur Michael Dorf at the City Winery. Mamdani was referencing the rise in antisemitism when the unidentified person shouted from the back of the room. Other attendees tried to shush the heckler, and one person responded 'Stop the xenophobia, let him speak.' The event was already controversial, as Israeli-American comedian Modi Rosenfeld had pulled out after learning Mamdani would be participating.

  • The heckling incident occurred on Monday night during the Passover seder event.
  • Mamdani was first introduced at the event when a woman at a table shouted 'Shame, shame, shame'.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The 34-year-old mayor of New York City who has faced criticism for his stances against Israel, including saying he does not believe the nation should exist as a Jewish state.

Michael Dorf

The Jewish entrepreneur who hosts the annual 'Downtown Seder' event at City Winery in New York City.

Modi Rosenfeld

An Israeli-American comedian who pulled out of the Passover seder event after learning Mamdani would be participating.

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What they’re saying

“'We were not told Mamdani was participating in this event until today. Modi will no longer be attending.'”

— Leo Veiga, Comedian Modi Rosenfeld's manager and husband

“'This is New York City, and we love to be here. I say it because we know that if there was complete decorum anywhere that we were, then we would have to ask ourselves if we had left the city that we love, and it is important to be here and to acknowledge that this is what it means to love and to lead the place that we call home.'”

— Zohran Mamdani

What’s next

The event organizers and attendees will likely continue to grapple with the political tensions and divisiveness surrounding Mamdani's participation in the Passover seder.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding political figures like Mamdani who have taken controversial stances on issues related to Israel and antisemitism, even at traditionally apolitical community events.