Jacob Kornbluh
@jacobkornbluh.bsky.social
Senior political reporter at the Forward. Email: Kornbluh@forward.com
A coalition of New York City’s Jewish bar associations is accusing Mamdani of excluding Jews from his new 18-member Advisory Committee on the Judiciary. In letter, the attorneys say the omission follows a “troubling pattern” that has left many Jews feeling marginalized. More ⬇️
#WIGov Rep. Tom Tiffany, GOP nominee for governor, criticized Francesca Hong, the socialist gaining momentum in Dem primary over appearance with Hasan Piker. His own podcast interview with Jeremy Hambly, who defended the ‘Camp Auschwitz’ t-shirt, is now under scrutiny. forward.com/news/839312/...
Nominee for Wisconsin governor appeared with podcast host who defended ‘Camp Auschwitz’ t-shirt
Rep. Tom Tiffany went on Jeremy Hambly's show, where the far-right host offered to campaign for him
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Mamdani more popular than Netanyahu among U.S. Jews. The AP poll suggests that Mamdani’s positions on Israel have not prevented him from maintaining a net-positive image among American Jews overall. forward.com/news/836468/...
Mamdani more popular than Netanyahu among U.S. Jews, new poll shows
The Associated Press survey found growing dissatisfaction with Israel's wartime leadership, even as the New York mayor remains divisive over his views on Israel
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From the department of "we told you so," by @jacobkornbluh.bsky.social. forward.com/news/836396/...
After Platner's collapse, Jewish Democrats say party can't ignore candidates’ red flags
Jewish Democrats who opposed the Maine Senate nominee say their party’s push to anoint him offers lessons about compromise on values important to Jewish voters
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#NY07 🚨 United coalition of Hasidic voting blocs — including the two Satmar factions (Ahronim and Zalonim) — in Williamsburg endorse Antonio Reynoso in primary for Velázquez’s seat. Statements ⬇️ Reynoso, who grew up in South Williamsburg, told me he’s “deeply grateful” for relationship + support.
LATEST: New York lawmakers approve 50-foot buffer zone around houses of worship and community centers in challenge to Mamdani. forward.com/news/827293/...
New York lawmakers approve 50-foot buffer around houses of worship in challenge to Mamdani
The statewide measure comes as synagogue protests persist
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NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, addressing JCRC-NY gala: “I understand that for many of you, having a Jewish police commissioner is deeply comforting. “Please know that I do not take that responsibility lightly. I feel it in my mind, in my bones and in my heart.”
🚨NYC Mayor Mamdani is hosting the annual Jewish American Heritage Month reception at Gracie Mansion next week marked as a celebration of the Shavuot holiday, according to this invitation sent out. Cheesecake and blintzes, maybe?
🚨‼️ RARE rebuke from major Jewish organizations of Mayor Mamdani’s expected veto of the schools protest safety bill (175-B, as reported by the NY Times: "This veto is a profound failure of City Hall to demonstrate to all New Yorkers that our safety is a priority." Joint statement ⬇️
At 92NY panel discussion on Jewish issues, Manhattan Borough President Hoylman-Sigal advises Mayor Mamdani: "I think the mayor should follow the tradition of every mayor preceding him and visit Israel... "Look, if Nixon can go to China, I think the mayor might consider that in the future."
PHOTO: Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer votes NO on Bernie Sanders’ joint resolutions of disapproval to block arms sales to Israel
👀 AUDIO: At recent tele-town hall, GOP Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania doesn’t forcefully condemn constituent who said Hitler ‘should have finished the job’ of killing Jews during WWII. Perry: “I just don’t think any of that is helpful at all. You know, we respect everybody’s religion…” ⬇️
Video: The National Rifle Association (NRA) announces partnership with "Lox and Loaded," a Jewish firearms club founded last year in response to rising antisemitism after Oct. 7.
Brad Lander now declares he opposes all U.S. aid for Israel, including for Iron Dome missile defense, after previously supporting defensive aid, citing human rights as he looks to unseat Rep. Dan Goldman, @jacobkornbluh.bsky.social reports exclusively in @forward.com.
Brad Lander joins call to end U.S. aid to Israel, in quest to replace Rep. Dan Goldman
Following AOC's lead, the Jewish New York Democrat says he now seeks to end Iron Dome defense funding, citing Israel’s war conduct
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🚨 #NY10 SCOOP: Brad Lander joins call to end U.S. aid to Israel, including funding for Iron Dome, in quest to replace Rep. Dan Goldman. “Israel should have access to purchase it with their own funds,” Lander tells me. Read more forward.com/brad-lander-...
Brad Lander joins call to end U.S. aid to Israel, in quest to replace Rep. Dan Goldman
Following AOC's lead, the Jewish New York Democrat says he now seeks to end Iron Dome defense funding, citing Israel’s war conduct
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FIRST HERE 🫓🍷Mamdani is set to attend the annual Downtown Seder Monday night at the City Winery in Manhattan. The mayor will speak alongside artists and cultural leaders. #Passover More info ⬇️ forward.com/news/815929/...
Mamdani to attend Passover Seder as he navigates ties with Jewish groups and amid rising antisemitism
The annual Passover event, blending art and activism, will benefit Seeds of Peace, a nonprofit supporting youth leadership and dialogue in conflict regions
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Mamdani noncommittal on signing buffer zone bill poised to pass City Council tomorrow. City Hall spox: Mamdani “is keenly aware of the serious concerns regarding these bills’ limiting of New Yorkers’ constitutional rights, and he will keep these concerns in mind….” forward.com/news/815239/...
Mamdani voices concerns about synagogue buffer zone bill poised to pass NYC Council
The buffer zone proposal has 35 co-sponsors, enough for a veto-proof majority to pass without the mayor’s signature.
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Raul Rivera yelling outside Mamdani presser. Mamdani: “I want that man to be able to afford to keep living in NYC, because the day that I don't hear him yelling at me, it means he got priced out of this place.” “We need to make this a city where it's affordable enough to yell at your politicians.”
Tish James declines to fast-track the NYC public hospital system's takeover of a private hospital in Brooklyn that serves many Orthodox Jewish patients. @jacobkornbluh.bsky.social
Government takeover of Brooklyn hospital faces legal setback amid Orthodox backlash
Letitia James’ office now sends the planned merger of Maimonides Medical Center with New York City’s public Health + Hospitals system to court, for a review that could blow past an April 1 deadline.
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📸 🫓 Mamdani met today with Orthodox bizman Dov Bleich, who showed him a Haggadah dating to the Civil War era in NY ahead of Passover. Bleich said the mayor appeared “visibly moved” by the artifact and reaffirmed commitment to protecting Jewish New Yorkers. More ⬇️
#IL09: Daniel Biss beats AIPAC spending VIDEO: Biss in victory speech: “So enough about AIPAC. May tonight be the last night I utter their name. “This victory belongs to J Street.” forward.com/news/813115/...
Phylisa Wisdom, executive director of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, said the 45-minute discussion focused on affordable housing, child care and efforts to address rising antisemitism ⬇️
Jacob Kornbluh@jacobkornbluh.bsky.social · 5mo ago📸 PHOTO: Mayor Mamdani just held a roundtable with Orthodox and Hasidic leaders at City Hall. He was joined by his Jewish aides Phylisa Wisdom, Josh Binderman and Uri Fraenkel. (via source)
📸 PHOTO: Mayor Mamdani just held a roundtable with Orthodox and Hasidic leaders at City Hall. He was joined by his Jewish aides Phylisa Wisdom, Josh Binderman and Uri Fraenkel. (via source)
*EXCLUSIVE* In her first interview since Mamdani named her as head of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, Phylisa Wisdom says she'll do a listening tour and craft a plan before the High Holidays, drawing from competing definitions. more ⬇️ forward.com/fast-forward...
Mamdani’s antisemitism chief pledges trust-building amid early skepticism
Phylisa Wisdom outlines plans for NYC antisemitism strategy modeled in part on the Biden White House national plan.
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🚨 SCOOP🚨: NYC Mayor Mamdani appoints Phylisa Wisdom, progressive Jewish leader, to run the Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism. forward.com/fast-forward...
Mamdani appoints Phylisa Wisdom, progressive Jewish leader, to run Office to Combat Antisemitism
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed Phylisa Wisdom, a progressive Jewish leader, to lead the Office to Combat Antisemitism.
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Council Speaker Julie Menin, introducing buffer zones outside synagogues legislation, addresses Mamdani + others’ concerns about limiting protests: “Enforcement is not based on speech or viewpoint. It is based on conduct that endangers others.”
SCOOP: Mayor Mamdani visited today Holocaust survivor and artist Olga Spiegel at her Manhattan apartment to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day. More details ⬇️ forward.com/fast-forward...
Mamdani visits Holocaust survivor at her apartment on Holocaust Remembrance Day
Mayor Zohran Mamdani visited with Holocaust survivor Olga Spiegel on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
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EXCLUSIVE: Marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch affixed a mezuzah to the front doorframe of her office at One Police Plaza. Details ⬇️ forward.com/fast-forward...
Jessica Tisch affixes a mezuzah to her NYPD office on International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Jessica Tisch, New York's Jewish police commissioner, affixed a mezuzah to the doorframe of her office to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day.
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❄️ VIDEO: Mayor Mamdani seen with a shovel assisting a car stuck in the snow in the Hasidic-populated neighborhood of Williamsburg.
