Overview
- On Dec. 20, the mayor-elect posted a produced clip from Mandy Patinkin’s home showing him cooking latkes, reciting blessings and lighting the menorah.
- Patinkin offered the shehecheyanu and told him his “mayoral tenure has now been blessed,” as online reaction ranged from praise to accusations that the video was staged.
- Reports underscore Mamdani’s long record of pro-Palestinian activism that has concerned parts of the Jewish community, and note he also attended a Hanukkah event hosted by the New York Jewish Agenda.
- Following the resignation of transition appointee Catherine Almonte Da Costa over past antisemitic posts, Mamdani said he is revising vetting procedures and hired an independent firm to bolster reviews.
- Inauguration plans call for a New Year’s Day oath at City Hall administered by Sen. Bernie Sanders and a seven-block Broadway celebration with space for tens of thousands.