850+ US rabbis sign letter opposing Zohran Mamdani and the ‘political normalization’ of anti-Zionism
(JTA) — As the New York mayoral election draws near, more than 850 rabbis and cantors from across the United States have signed onto a letter voicing their opposition to mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani and the “political normalization” of anti-Zionism.
The letter, titled “A Rabbinic Call to Action: Defending the Jewish Future,” cited Mamdani’s previous defense of the slogan “globalize the Intifada,” his denial of “Israel’s legitimacy” and his accusations that Israel has committed a genocide in Gaza.
The letter quotes Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, the leader of the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue on the Upper West Side, who told his congregants in a social media address last week that Mamdani’s rhetoric will “delegitimize the Jewish community and encourage and exacerbate hostility toward Judaism and Jews.”
Hirsch was also one of the signatories on the letter, which included a wide range of rabbis and cantors from over 30 states as well as Toronto. It was organized by the new Jewish Majority advocacy group, led by AIPAC veteran Jonathan Schulman.
About 60 rabbis across denominations in New York City signed on.
While New York City rabbis, including Hirsch, have previously voiced their opposition to endorsing candidates from the pulpit, that norm appears to have been set aside as Mamdani carves out a significant edge ahead of the Nov. 4 election.
Trump nominee who said he had a ‘Nazi streak’ forced out before Senate confirmation hearing
(JTA) — Paul Ingrassia has pulled out of contention for a top legal role in the Trump administration after losing key Republican support over revelations of private texts in which he declared, “I have a Nazi streak.”
Ingrassia had faced criticism over his links to the avowed white supremacist Nick Fuentes and the antisemitic influencer Andrew Tate since his nomination in May. But the January 2024 texts, first reported by Politico this week, showed that he personally had used a slur against Black people, called for the abolition of the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday and expressed an affinity for Nazism.
Late Tuesday, Ingrassia announced that he would not appear in the Senate as planned on Thursday — though he indicated that he would keep his current lower-level role.
“I will be withdrawing myself from Thursday’s HSGAC hearing to lead the Office of Special Counsel because unfortunately I do not have enough Republican votes at this time,” Ingrassia posted. “I appreciate the overwhelming support that I have received throughout this process and will continue to serve President Trump and this administration to Make America Great Again!”
Four Republican senators, including Majority Leader John Thune, publicly expressed opposition to Ingrassia’s nomination after the revelation of the private texts this week, which included both racist and antisemitic content.
Dem senators want answers from Witkoff on crypto assets, ties to powerful Emirati
(JNS) — Eight Democratic senators, led by Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), are demanding answers from Trump administration envoy Steve Witkoff about his financial dealings with U.S. President Donald Trump’s family and the government of the United Arab Emirates.
A longtime friend of Trump’s, Witkoff is the special U.S. envoy for peace missions. He was previously a Middle East adviser and ran point on ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
The senators expressed “deep concern regarding potential conflicts of interest” over Witkoff’s retention of ownership of cryptocurrency assets tied to World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture launched last year by the Trump and Witkoff families.
A co-founder of the venture said in May that Witkoff was divesting, but Witkoff listed his ownership stake on his August financial disclosure forms.
The senators asked Witkoff if he still has a financial interest in the venture or in any other businesses tied to Trump, and if he has received guidance or ethics waivers from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics.
“Your failure to divest your ownership in these assets raises serious questions about your compliance with federal ethics laws and, more importantly, ability to serve the American people over your own financial interests,” the senators wrote.
“As long as you maintain ownership of these assets, you stand to profit from any decisions you are involved with while serving in the administration,” they added.
NJ Republican gubernatorial nominee faces backlash after aide says he wouldn’t take ‘money from Jews’
(JNS) — The Republican nominee for New Jersey governor has come after one of his aides said he wasn’t “taking money from Jews” at a campaign event.
Ibrar Nadeem, the Muslim relations adviser to Jack Ciattarelli, made the remarks at a “community dinner” in Piscataway, New Jersey, on Saturday organized by a group called Muslims 4 Jack.
“People from my community, when I was blamed that somebody said, ‘You are taking money from Jews.’ I said, ‘I check my bank account every day, brother, it is not there,’” Nadeem told the crowd.
Minutes earlier, Nadeem also said that Ciattarelli’s campaign wanted to have a “ban on same-sex marriage.”
Following Nadeem’s remarks, Ciattarelli took to the stage and praised Nadeem, telling the crowd that the advisor “hasn’t let me down one day” since the pair met eight months ago. He also boasted that he was the “first gubernatorial candidate in history that has a Muslim as part of his inner circle of advisors.”
Both men’s remarks swiftly drew criticism from Ciattarelli’s opponent, Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who is currently leading the race by single digits in most public polling.
“This blatant antisemitism is coming from a member of Jack’s inner circle,” wrote Sherrill in a post on social media Monday. “Jack could have condemned it but instead sang his praises. Absolutely disgraceful.”
Trump approval ratings for handling war in Gaza ‘leap,’ Quinnipiac poll suggests
(JNS) — U.S. President Donald Trump gets credit from U.S. voters for his successful efforts to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as a plurality now approves of the way he is handling the conflict, according to a new poll.
In the latest Quinnipiac University survey, released on October 22, 47% approved of his handling of the war, with 41% disapproving. That includes 21% of Democrats and 42% of independents. Last month, Trump was in negative territory on that issue, with 56% disapproving and just a 31% approval rating.
More than two-thirds of voters (68%) said that Trump deserves a great deal or some credit for negotiating the ceasefire — including 52% of Democrats and 64% of independents — with 27% saying he should get little or no credit.
A majority of voters (56%) said they were either not so confident or not at all confident that the United States could negotiate a lasting peace between Israel and Hamas, while 42% said they were very or somewhat confident it could happen.
“Approval for President Trump’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict leaps as hostages are released and a fragile ceasefire holds,” stated Tim Malloy, a Quinnipiac University polling analyst. “But the optimism is tempered by voters’ concerns that the promise of peace may just be temporary.”
