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Time Out
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
New Yorkers can help break the record for world's largest shabbat dinner
Imagine the best kind of dinner party—but it's for 3,000 people, and the vibes are off the charts. That's The Big Shabbat, set to take over Javits North in New York City on November 21. And it's not just any Shabbat dinner: This is a bid for the Guinness World Record, aiming to eclipse Berlin's current record of 2,322 attendees. This year, it's New York's turn to show what community looks like. Picture a sweeping family-style, kosher vegetarian spread, curated by heavyweights like Adeena Sussman, Joan Nathan, Beejhy Barhany and Jake Cohen. There will be 300 challahs, 1,500 pounds of salmon and thousands of hors d'oeuvres, all orchestrated by 10 chefs, 45 assistant chefs and 156 servers. And yes, as per Guinness rules, once the motzi blessing is said, everyone must stay in their seat for a full hour to legitimize the record attempt. But beyond the numbers and the record, it is the sense of community that will linger. Doors open at 5:45pm with live music and appetizers, and the meal will begin at 6pm. That's when attendees will officially step into a Shabbat dinner that's still about ritual and connection but remixed for thousands. It's also a deeply symbolic moment for the city's Jewish community. Backed by a $500,000 grant from UJA-Federation of New York, the event comes at a time when connection, joy and assertive communal pride are powerful acts of resilience. Gady Levy of the Streicker Center envisioned this as more than a record-breaking meal; it's a spiritual rally and a celebration mixed with both gravity and exuberance. The evening promises more than food and festivity. There will be a mini-Western Wall where guests can leave notes that might go to Jerusalem, as well as live music, dancing and special surprises. To break the Guinness World Record, attendees must check in by 6:30pm and remain physically present until 8:30pm. Tickets are $54 and can be purchased here.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani doubles down on BDS support — won't say Israel has right to exist as Jewish state
Democratic socialist mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani doubled down on his support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel — and refused to say the country has a right to exist as a Jewish state. Mamdani stayed firm in his support for the Palestinian-led BDS effort, calling it a 'legitimate movement,' during a Q&A with Democratic primary candidates hosted by the UJA-Federation of New York on Thursday evening. 'My support for BDS is consistent with my core of my politics, which is non-violence,' the Queens assemblyman said when pressed by Jewish Insider's editor-in-chief, Josh Kraushaar. 'I think that it is a legitimate movement when you are seeking to find compliance with international law,' he said. 'The effectiveness of tactics of boycott, divestment and sanctions in order to motivate that compliance at the state level, on an individual level and that's where my support for it comes from.' The state assemblyman from Queens said he believes Israel has a right to exist. But when pushed on whether it should exist as a Jewish state, he carefully sidestepped. 'I believe Israel has a right to exist, and it has a right to exist also with equal rights for all,' he said. Mamdani — a lefty Democratic Socialists of America-backed politician — was peppered with questions about his stance on Israel during the event from the UJA-Federation, a massive philanthropic group supporting the Jewish community. The forum came just days after The Post unearthed a social media clip of the pro-Palestinian assemblyman leading a 'BDS' chant during a May 11, 2021, anti-Israel protest. Despite Mamdani's open criticism of Israel, the lawmaker received a fairly warm welcome from those in attendance, according to recordings obtained by The Post, which, along with other press, was barred from entry at the door. Those inside the event — which took place some 24 hours after a pro-Palestinian radical gunned down two innocent Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington, DC — described the security as 'wild,' as organizers revoked the tickets of several people. 'There is no justification for this violence,' Mamdani said. 'Our Jewish neighbors deserve to live in safety and security and free of antisemitism.' During his roughly 20-minute appearance, moderators also asked Mamdani about his remarks that if elected mayor, he would order the NYPD to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if the Israeli prime minister ever set foot in the Big Apple. 'Ultimately, my position is one that I believe our city should be in compliance with international law,' Mamdani said, noting the International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for the Israeli leader, adding that he'd have the same answer if he was asked the question about Russian President Vladimir Putin. 'What troubles me greatly is that Benjamin Netanyahu has also issued military commands from this very city when visiting it,' he said. Neither Israel nor the US are members of the 125-member state ICC, meaning local courts would have no jurisdiction to arrest Netanyahu if he came to New York City. Republican leaders have slammed the ICC's arrest warrant for Netanyahu as outrageous and unlawful. In February, President Trump signed sanctions into effect via executive order targeting ICC officials, employees and their immediate family members with financial penalties and visa restrictions. Mamdani's remarks about the BDS movement, meanwhile, appeared to reference United Nations reports that have claimed Israel's warfare methods in Gaza were consistent with war crimes and genocide, in violation of international law. NYC socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani under fire for 'disrespecting' firefighters NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani doubles down on BDS support — won't say Israel has right to exist as Jewish state Zohran Mamdani trashed Barack Obama as 'pretty damn evil' in resurfaced, pro-Edward Snowden tweets NYC mayoral candidates band together to de-throne frontrunner Cuomo: 'We are all running … to defeat Andrew Cuomo' NYC mayoral candidate leads 'BDS' chant, bashes officials for traveling to Israel in resurfaced clip Netanyahu has slammed the United Nations' Human Rights Council's findings as untrue and antisemitic. Mamdani campaign spokesman Andrew Epstein said the candidate has been 'consistent' in his beliefs regarding Israel. 'Zohran has been consistent in his belief that Israel has the right to exist, a responsibility to adhere to international law, and that he supports non-violent movements to ensure compliance with that law,' Epstein said in a statement Friday. 'He was heartened by the warm reception last night to his vision for a New York that's safe and affordable for everyone.' Mamdani, who has repeatedly come up second in the polls vying for the Democratic nomination, behind ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, has recently been dogged by his anti-Israel rhetoric. He faced blowback from the Jewish community for failing to sign onto a pair of resolutions recognizing Israel and the Holocaust — in what his campaign wrote off as a procedural error. The revelation came just days after he got the endorsement of anti-Israel ex-'Squad' member Rep. Jamaal Bowman in the race for mayor of New York City, which is home to the largest population of Jews outside Israel. The lawmaker also pushed the 'Not On Our Dime Act,' which would have stopped New York nonprofits from supporting any groups that are involved with West Bank settlements. — Additional reporting by Gabrielle Fahmy
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani doubles down on BDS support — won't say Israel has right to exist as Jewish state
Democratic socialist mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani doubled down on his support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel — and refused to say the country as a right to exist as a Jewish state. Mamdani stayed firm on his support for the Palestinian-led BDS effort, calling it a 'legitimate movement,' during a Q&A with Democratic primary candidates hosted by the UJA-Federation of New York on Thursday evening. 'My support for BDS is consistent with my core of my politics, which is non-violence,' the Queens assemblyman said when pressed by Jewish Insider's editor-in-chief, Josh Kraushaar. 'I think that it is a legitimate movement when you are seeking to find compliance with international law,' he said. Advertisement 'The effectiveness of tactics of boycott, divestment and sanctions in order to motivate that compliance at the state level, on an individual level and that's where my support for it comes from.' 3 Zohran Mamdani has repeatedly come up second in poll after poll in the Democratic primary for mayor. LP Media The state Assemblyman from Queens said he believes Israel has a right to exist. But when pushed has to whether it should exist as a Jewish state, he carefully side-stepped. Advertisement 'I believe Israel has a right to exist, and it has a right to exist also with equal rights for all,' he said. Mamdani — the lefty Democratic Socialists of America-backed politician — was peppered with questions about his stance on Israel during the event from the UJA-Federation, a massive philanthropic group supporting the Jewish community. The forum came just days after The Post unearthed a social media clip of the pro-Palestinian assemblyman leading a 'BDS' chant during a May 11, 2021, anti-Israel protest. Despite Mamdani's open criticism of Israel, the lawmaker received a fairly warm welcome from those in attendance, according to recordings obtained by The Post, which, along with other press, was barred from entry at the door. Advertisement Those inside the event — which took place some 24-hours after a pro-Palestinian radical gunned down two innocent Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington, DC — described the security as 'wild,' as organizers revoked the tickets of several people. During his roughly 20-minute appearance, moderators asked Mamdani about his remarks that if elected mayor, he would order the NYPD to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if the Israeli prime minister ever set foot in the Big Apple. 'Ultimately, my position is one that I believe our city should be in compliance with international law,' Mamdani said, noting the International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for the Israeli leader, adding he'd have the same answer if he was asked the question about Russian President Vladimir Putin. 3 The DSA lawmaker has been criticized for his past comments about Israel recently. Zohran Kwame Mamdani/Facebook Advertisement 3 Earlier this week, a social media clip emerged of Mamdani leading a BDS chant. Gina M Randazzo/ZUMA Press Wire / 'What troubles me greatly is that Benjamin Netanyahu has also issued military commands from this very city when visiting it,' he said. Mamdani campaign spokesman Andrew Epstein said the candidate has been 'consistent' in his beliefs regarding Israel. 'Zohran has been consistent in his belief that Israel has the right to exist, a responsibility to adhere to international law, and that he supports non-violent movements to ensure compliance with that law,' Epstein said in a statement Friday. 'He was heartened by the warm reception last night to his vision for a New York that's safe and affordable for everyone.' Mamdani, who has repeatedly come up second in the polls vying for the Democratic nomination, behind ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, has recently been dogged by his anti-Israel rhetoric He faced blowback from the Jewish community for failing to sign onto a pair of resolutions recognizing Israel and the Holocaust — in what his campaign wrote off a procedural error. Advertisement The revelation came just days after he got the endorsement of anti-Israel ex-'Squad' Rep. Jamaal Bowman in the race for mayor of New York City, which represent the largest population of Jews outside Israel. The lawmaker also pushed the 'Not On Our Dime Act,' which would have stopped New York non-profits from supporting any groups that are involved with West Bank settlements.
Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Israel and anti-Semitism loom large as issues in the NYC mayor's race
Mr Zohran Mamdani, who is Muslim, defends his use of the term 'genocide' to describe Israel's actions against Gaza. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG NEW YORK – Throughout most of his striking rise in the New York City mayoral race, Mr Zohran Mamdani has attracted donors and young voters through a series of campaign-verite videos, a breezy mixture of street wisdom and personality-driven, left-leaning messaging. But on May 16, Mr Mamdani found himself quickly preparing a far more sober video to defend himself against the false perception that he had refused to condemn the Holocaust. His rapid response illustrated how a candidate's stance on Israel and Jewish issues, especially during Israel's divisive war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, could carry outsize importance in the Democratic primary on June 24. The primary comes at a precarious moment for the city's Jewish community, the largest outside Israel. The Trump administration has cited concerns over anti-Semitism as a primary reason for cutting funding to elite universities and deporting and detaining students who have protested the war in Gaza. Hate crimes against Jewish people are on the rise in New York City. In 2024, 52 per cent of the reported hate crimes were against Jews, according to the police. The trend has continued in the first quarter of 2025, when 60 per cent of hate crimes were committed against Jews. The fallout is shaping the race for mayor. The UJA-Federation of New York, an influential Jewish service organisation, is asking mayoral candidates on a survey if they will sign an executive order requiring all city agencies to 'adopt and implement' the working definition of anti-Semitism from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. 'Just like Black Lives Matter in that election season was the issue for the African American community, similarly, in this election cycle, antisemitism is the No. 1 issue for any Jew, regardless of your background,' said Mr David G. Greenfield, CEO of Met Council, a nonprofit that fights poverty. 'I think that any politician who's smart understands that.' But for many politicians, including some Jewish ones, the issue is more nuanced. Mr Brad Lander, the city comptroller running for mayor, is a reform Jew who considered becoming a rabbi. He is also an anti-occupation critic of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mr Mamdani, who is Muslim, defends his use of the term 'genocide' to describe Israel's actions against Gaza. He also said in his video on May 16 that his campaign had proposed spending more money to fight anti-Semitism than any other, and that as mayor he would 'protect Jewish New Yorkers.' Less nuance is seen in the stance adopted by the front-runner, former governor Andrew M. Cuomo, a staunch supporter of Israel who has sought to use antisemitism as a battering ram against his opponents and the left flank of the Democratic Party as he seeks a return to elected office. Speaking at the West Side Institutional Synagogue in April, Mr Cuomo launched a broadside against three of his opponents, including Mr Lander, whom he described as 'aiding and supporting the most aggressive anti-Israel policies.' Mr Lander responded the next day with an expletive Yiddish phrase. 'I only curse in Yiddish when I'm really pissed off,' he said. He then appeared at the same synagogue that Cuomo attended to respond in more detail. 'Somehow, we Jews have become political pawns for politicians trying to score political points,' Mr Lander said during his speech. 'See something or someone you don't like? Call it anti-Semitism, in a cheap, craven attempt to lure in Jewish support. All for political gain'. Mr Scott M. Stringer, the former comptroller and the other Jewish candidate in the race, also spoke at the synagogue. He reasserted his commitment to the Jewish community and said that he had been 'appalled' by Mr Cuomo's 'cynical, and frankly pitiful, attempts to divide the city and this community'. In New York City, there are not many bonds stronger than those that tie its mayor to Israel and its supporters. Every mayor since Vincent R. Impellitteri in 1951 has visited Jerusalem, and nearly every major Democratic candidate this year, aside from Mr Mamdani, has vowed to do the same if elected. Voting math explains why. New Yorkers with distinctive Jewish last names represent 13 per cent of the city's 4.6 million active registered voters, according to Mr Jerry Skurnik, a senior consultant for Engage Voters US, a political consultancy. Of those voters, 62 per cent are Democrats and 16 per cent Republicans. They represented 26 per cent of turnout in the 2021 Democratic mayoral primary, and the unified Orthodox support behind Mr Eric Adams helped him win that year. This year, the battle for the Jewish vote is as pronounced as always, even if it may be more splintered given the growing divide over Israel's continued offensive in Gaza. 'We knew that this would happen because of the war between Israel and Hamas and the devastation of Gaza and how much New Yorkers are paying attention to the return of the hostages,' said Ms Phylisa Wisdom, executive director of the New York Jewish Agenda. 'People are talking about this a lot in synagogues and Jewish coalitions around the city.' In a recent Siena College poll, Jewish voters identified addressing discrimination as the fourth most important issue the next mayor should prioritise, behind affordable housing, supporting unpaid family caregivers and allowing New Yorkers to stay in their homes as they age. In a recent Marist poll, Mr Cuomo led with 26 per cent of Jewish voters ranking him as their first choice. Mr Lander was at 17 per cent, followed by Mr Mamdani at 14 per cent and Ms Adrienne Adams, the City Council speaker, at 10 per cent. Another 16 per cent of Jewish voters said they were undecided. Mr Eric Adams, who was not included in the poll, plans to run as an independent in November and still has the Jewish vote keenly in mind. He is gathering signatures to run on a self-created 'EndAntiSemitism' line. And last week, flanked by rabbis and other Jewish leaders at City Hall, he launched the Office to Combat Antisemitism to combat the rise in Jewish hate crimes. Most prominent Jewish leaders have not said who they intend to back in the November general election. But the coffers of Fix the City, a super PAC aligned with Mr Cuomo's interests, have been filled by strong supporters of Israel such as Mr Bill Ackman, a billionaire hedge fund manager and Trump supporter, and investor Daniel Loeb. Each donated US$250,000 (S$323,000). Mr Cuomo still faces lingering resentment from some in the Hasidic community about restrictions and rules he imposed on houses of worship and mask wearing during the coronavirus pandemic. He has been urged to apologise, his advisers confirmed. The attacks against Mr Mamdani from some supporters of Israel have focused on his backing for the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement and belief that anti-Zionism is not anti-Semitism. More recently, he encountered criticism for accepting an endorsement from former representative Jamaal Bowman, who lost his primary for reelection in 2024 after pro-Israel groups poured millions of dollars into the race. 'My politics has always been driven by a commitment to the universal application of human rights, international law and the dignity and freedom of all people without exception,' Mr Mamdani said in an interview. Like Mr Cuomo, Mr Mamdani has increased his outreach to the Jewish community, attending at least seven public and private meetings with Jewish leaders and groups in the past month, including the legislative breakfast of the Council of Jewish Organisations of Flatbush. In his video released on May 16, Mr Mamdani stressed that he, too, abhorred anti-Semitism, and said that he had voted every year for a Holocaust Remembrance Day resolution that he was criticised for not co-sponsoring this year. He separately said on May 16 that he acknowledged Israel's right to exist. 'This election,' Mr Mamdani said in the video, 'we're seeing the real crisis of anti-Semitism and the pain of Jewish New Yorkers being weaponised as a political talking point.' 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