This piece first ran as a part of the New York Jewish Week’s day by day e-newsletter, rounding up the most recent on politics, tradition, meals and what’s new with Jews within the metropolis. Enroll right here to get it in your inbox.
📱 Bowman backs Fuentes statements in viral video
Former New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman praised statements by Nick Fuentes in a touch upon an Instagram video with 2.6 million views.
The video of Fuentes was posted in September and resurfaced right this moment by Jewish Insider, which recognized Bowman’s remark.
- Bowman is a progressive Democrat who misplaced a main race final yr that was fought largely over Israel. Fuentes is an avowed white nationalist and antisemite who’s on the middle of tensions round antisemitism throughout the Republican Celebration.
Fuentes stated within the clip that President Donald Trump was “higher than the Democrats for Israel, for the oil and fuel trade, for Silicon Valley, for Wall Road,” however stated he wasn’t “higher for us.”
Bowman commented, “Lastly getting it Nick. Now go a step additional. This is identical playbook they use to divide and conquer us based mostly on race to take care of their oligarchy. It’s us, in opposition to the oligarchy. Now no extra racist bullshit from you.”
A few of Zohran Mamdani’s critics have speculated that the mayor-elect could possibly be contemplating Bowman, a former center college principal, as a candidate for colleges chancellor.
🗣 Mamdani appointee resigns over antisemitic posts
An appointee for Mamdani’s new mayoral administration lasted in the future on the job after antisemitic posts from her teenage years got here to gentle.
Catherine Almonte Da Costa, tapped as Mamdani’s director of appointments for Metropolis Corridor on Wednesday, resigned on Thursday after the posts resurfaced. She posted about “cash hungry Jews” and stated “Far Rockaway prepare is the Jew prepare” in 2011 and 2012.
In an announcement, Da Costa stated she had apologized to Mamdani and the statements have been “not indicative” of who she is.
“Because the mom of Jewish kids, I really feel a profound sense of disappointment and regret on the hurt these phrases have prompted,” she stated. “As this has change into a distraction from the work at hand, I’ve supplied my resignation.”
The controversy comes as Mamdani’s election continues to roil the town’s Jewish communities, with many staunchly opposing him over his longstanding criticism of Israel.
⚖️ Etan Katz case resurfaces
New York Metropolis prosecutors requested the U.S. Supreme Court docket on Thursday to revive a homicide conviction for the person accused of kidnapping and killing Etan Katz, the Jewish 6-year-old who disappeared in 1979.
Pedro Hernandez was convicted of the crime in 2017, however his verdict was overturned earlier this yr. A federal appeals courtroom dominated that the 2017 trial decide gave a “clearly flawed” and “manifestly prejudicial” response to a jury be aware.
🕎 Harlem Jews get a menorah in Montefiore Park
We went to the primary communal menorah lighting alongside the annual Christmas tree lighting in Harlem’s Montefiore Park on Tuesday.
The primary “Harlem Competition of Lights,” a cross-denominational celebration of each Christmas and Hanukkah, was the fruit of a coalition of civic, Jewish, Black, Dominican and interfaith organizations.
🥔 Jewish meals report
🏀 Jewish teenagers play at halftime in Nets recreation
Jewish teenagers performed at halftime throughout the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Warmth recreation at Barclays Middle on Thursday evening, as a part of a Hanukkah celebration and a tribute to the victims of Sunday’s capturing in Sydney.
A big basketball menorah was lit by 14-year-old Eli Drizin of Brooklyn, the nephew of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was killed within the assault.
