A prominent pro-Israel activist is urging fellow Jewish leaders to boycott a Jewish heritage event Mayor Zohran Mamdani is hosting at Gracie Mansion next Monday.
Americans Against Antisemitism founder Dov Hikind blasted Mamdani and his artist wife, Rama Duwaji, saying the couple have been hostile to Jews through a series of controversial statements and social media posts.
“Things are out of control in this city. Attacks upon Jews. Fear in the Jewish community,” said Hikind, who previously served in the state Assembly for 35 years representing heavily orthodox Jewish communities in southern Brooklyn.
Prominent pro-Israel activist Dov Hikind is urging fellow Jewish leaders to boycott a Jewish heritage event Mayor Zohran Mamdani is hosting at Gracie Mansion next Monday. Gregory P. Mango“I am calling on Jewish leaders not to attend this event. I plead with you to take a stand. Show pride. Have self respect,” Hikind said in a video provided to The Post that he plans to publish online.
Invitations sent out by the mayor’s office called the May 18 event a “Shavuot Celebration in Honor of Jewish Heritage Month” and noted that a “festive kosher dairy menu will be served.” Shavuot begins Thursday evening.
Mamdani has had a strained relationship with Jewish leaders since he ran for office last year, as he was criticized for controversial comments and stances including outspoken criticisms of Israel.
He supports the controversial boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel and accused the Jewish state of committing genocide in the war with Hamas in Gaza that was sparked after the terrorist group attacked the country on Oct. 7, 2023. He has also associated with people accused of promoting antisemitism.
First Lady Duwaji has also come under fire for social media posts praising Palestinian terrorists and bashing Israel.
“I understand that for many of you, having a Jewish police commissioner is deeply comforting,” Tisch said.
Hikind blasted Mamdani and his artist wife, Rama Duwaji, saying the couple have been hostile to Jews through a series of controversial statements and social media posts. James KeivomMamdani was notably absent from the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York’s annual gala at The Plaza Hotel last night, which Gov. Kathy Hochul attended along with State Attorney Letitia James and state and city comptrollers Tom DiNapoli and Mark Levine.
Mamdani’s police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who is Jewish, also attended and was a featured speaker.
“The mayor and his wife and family are radical Islamists endangering the welfare of America and the Jewish community,” Hikind claimed.
He said Jewish leaders must deal with Mamdani as mayor, but do not need to promote him.
“You don’t have to go to Gracie Mansion to hug and kiss and take pictures while undermining the entire Jewish community. You have an opportunity to be a leader and make a powerful statement. You don’t have to Gracie Mansion for cheese Danishes,” Hikind said.
Mamdani critic Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun on the Upper East Side said it’s the first time in 10 years that he wasn’t invited to a mayor’s Jewish heritage event at Gracie Mansion.
He claimed Mamdani left out Jewish leaders who have criticized him to put together a friendly audience.
“He’s pre-emptively knocking off all the people who might confront him,” Steinmetz said. “He’s inviting a narrow slice of Jews who support him.”
Hikind attends a memorial vigil outside the Israeli consulate on Sept. 1, 2024, for the six hostages who were kidnapped and murdered by Hamas terrorists. Ron Adar / M10s / SplashNews.comStill, he advised Jewish leaders invited to the Gracie Mansion event to attend, and have frank discussions with the mayor about antisemitism.
Mamdani’s hostility toward Israel is “directly responsible” for chaotic protests being held outside local synagogues, Steinmetz said.
A Mamdani spokesman defended the mayor’s relationship with the Jewish community.
“Since taking office, Mayor Mamdani has made it a priority to consistently show up for and build relationships across New York City’s Jewish communities — celebrating holidays and engaging with Jewish life across neighborhoods and traditions while taking steps to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe,” said mayoral spokesman Sam Raskin.
“The upcoming Shavuot celebration at Gracie Mansion is one of many ways the mayor is engaging with Jewish New Yorkers, and he looks forward to welcoming the full breadth of the Jewish community, across the political and religious spectrum, on Monday.”
The Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism is working on its first-ever municipal plan to address antisemitism, according to the administration.
Mamdani’s executive budget plan unveiled Tuesday allocated $26 million for the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, representing an increase of over 800%.






