By: Tzirel Rosenblatt

New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani made a striking and symbolically loaded appearance Wednesday night at a major Satmar Hasidic gathering, receiving a notably warm reception from one of the city’s most insular yet politically consequential ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities. According to a report on Thursday at Ynet News, Mamdani’s attendance at the annual Satmar commemoration on Kuf Alef (twenty-first) of Kislev drew attention to the increasingly visible role of religious blocs in New York politics and illuminated the intricate, often paradoxical alliances forming ahead of his assumption of office.

The event marked the Satmar movement’s observance of the revered  “day of rescue,” commemorating the dramatic escape of the late Satmar Rebbe, Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum, from Nazi-occupied Europe during the Holocaust. The date carries profound spiritual resonance within Satmar circles, symbolizing divine deliverance amid catastrophe and reinforcing the movement’s theology of survival through strict adherence to Torah and separation from secular nationalism. Ynet News reported that Mamdani’s presence at such a moment was greeted with Hasidic music, visible enthusiasm, and expressions of communal solidarity.

The Satmar community in New York is itself divided between two rival factions, led respectively by brothers Rabbi Aharon Teitelbaum and Rabbi Yekutiel Teitelbaum. The split, rooted in longstanding dynastic and ideological disputes, has resulted in parallel institutions, events, and power structures that rarely intersect. Yet Mamdani, in a move widely interpreted as deliberate and strategic, attended both gatherings on the same night.

As the Ynet News report detailed, Mamdani first appeared at a massive celebration held in an aircraft hangar in Williamsburg, presided over by Rabbi Aharon Teitelbaum. He then traveled to Crown Heights in Brooklyn to attend the separate event led by Rabbi Yekutiel Teitelbaum. At both venues, Mamdani was surrounded by Satmar Hasidim who offered words of encouragement and support, an uncommon show of unity toward an external political figure.

Observers told Ynet News that Mamdani’s willingness to visit both factions was seen as a gesture of respect toward the internal sensitivities of the movement. By not privileging one rebbe over the other, Mamdani avoided exacerbating existing tensions and instead positioned himself as a leader attentive to the community’s unique structure.

Satmar is internationally known for its vehement opposition to Zionism and to the very existence of the State of Israel, a stance rooted in theological interpretations that view Jewish sovereignty prior to the messianic era as a violation of divine will. That such a movement would endorse Mamdani—a Muslim politician and prominent figure on the American left—might appear counterintuitive at first glance.

Yet Ynet News reported that Satmar leaders backed Mamdani after he assured them he would protect the autonomy and funding of New York City’s yeshivas. For the Satmar community, safeguarding religious education and shielding it from government interference is a paramount concern, often eclipsing broader ideological considerations.

In this context, Mamdani’s assurances carried significant weight. His commitment to preserving the independence of religious institutions resonated with Satmar’s long-standing apprehension toward secular authority. The endorsement thus reflects a transactional but mutually beneficial relationship: political support in exchange for guarantees of religious freedom and institutional protection.

Adding to the evening’s significance was a formal greeting sent to the Satmar gathering by President Donald Trump, which was read aloud during the celebration. According to the Ynet News report, Trump praised the community’s emphasis on faith, prayer, and spiritual continuity, framing these values as essential to shaping future generations.

“By instilling the importance of faith, prayer, and trust in the leaders of tomorrow, you help shape a promising future for generations to come,” Trump wrote. “As president, I remain committed to defending religious freedoms so that every person may live their faith openly and without fear.”

The message spoke volumes about the Satmar movement’s growing visibility within national political discourse and highlighted how religious freedom has become a unifying theme across otherwise divergent political camps. The Ynet News report noted that the juxtaposition of Mamdani’s appearance and Trump’s message illustrated Satmar’s pragmatic engagement with a wide spectrum of political actors, provided their core religious interests are respected.

While Satmar’s primary focus remains local—particularly the preservation of its educational institutions—the movement has increasingly involved itself in issues related to Israel, especially those touching on the status of Haredi men. As Ynet News has reported, Satmar leaders have been vocal opponents of efforts to draft ultra-Orthodox men into the Israel Defense Forces, viewing compulsory military service as incompatible with their religious worldview.

Approximately two months ago, rabbis from the Satmar movement organized a protest outside the Israeli Consulate in Manhattan. The demonstration was notable not only for its sharp rhetoric but also for the rare cooperation between the two Satmar factions in the United States, which usually operate independently. The Ynet News report emphasized that this joint appearance signaled the depth of communal concern over developments in Israel.

At the rally, both Rabbi Aharon Teitelbaum and Rabbi Yekutiel Teitelbaum were present, though they sat apart, each surrounded by his own followers—a visual representation of unity in purpose but not in leadership. American and Israeli rabbis addressed the crowd, condemning the arrests of yeshiva students and warning of what they described as a fundamental erosion of religious freedom in Israel.

Speakers at the Manhattan protest delivered pointed critiques of Israeli authorities, arguing that since the founding of the state, Haredi men had been exempt from military service in recognition of their dedication to Torah study. According to the information provided in the Ynet News report, several rabbis claimed that this longstanding arrangement was now being dismantled, with yeshiva students detained or imprisoned for refusing conscription.

Some speakers went further, asserting that observant Jews in Israel “do not feel it is safe to keep religious commandments,” a claim that reflects deep anxiety within anti-Zionist Haredi circles. These remarks, while controversial, highlight the extent to which debates over military service have become a flashpoint in relations between Israel and segments of the ultra-Orthodox diaspora.

The Ynet News report noted that the protest’s rhetoric underscored Satmar’s theological opposition to Zionism while simultaneously framing the issue in terms of civil liberties and religious coercion—language that resonates with broader American discourses on freedom of conscience.

Against this backdrop, Mamdani’s engagement with the Satmar community takes on added complexity. By appearing at the “day of rescue” celebrations, he aligned himself—at least symbolically—with a community whose historical memory of persecution informs its present-day politics. At the same time, his attendance risked criticism from those who view Satmar’s anti-Zionist stance as deeply problematic.

Yet, the Ynet News report observed that Mamdani appeared comfortable navigating these tensions. His presence was framed not as an endorsement of Satmar’s views on Israel, but as recognition of its place within New York’s diverse religious mosaic. For Mamdani, whose electoral coalition spans Muslims, progressives, and segments of the Jewish community, the visit reinforced his image as a leader willing to engage across ideological divides.

The evening’s events placed an emphasis on the enduring influence of religious communities in New York’s political landscape. Satmar, though insular, commands significant voting power and operates sophisticated political organizations capable of mobilizing support en bloc. As Ynet News has frequently reported, candidates who secure Satmar backing often gain a decisive advantage in closely contested races.

For Mamdani, the endorsement offers tangible political benefits as he prepares to govern a city marked by cultural diversity and competing communal interests. Yet it also places him under heightened scrutiny, particularly regarding how he balances commitments to religious autonomy with broader civic responsibilities.

Ultimately, Mamdani’s appearance at the Satmar celebrations was more than a courtesy call; it was a moment dense with historical, religious, and political symbolism. It highlighted the enduring legacy of the Holocaust in shaping communal identity, the transnational reach of debates over Israel, and the pragmatic alliances forged in the crucible of urban politics.

As Ynet News reported, the event illustrated how faith communities continue to exert influence far beyond their immediate neighborhoods, shaping conversations that span from City Hall to Jerusalem. For Mamdani, the night offered both an opportunity and a challenge: to honor the sensitivities of a deeply traditional community while navigating the broader implications of its beliefs within the pluralistic fabric of New York City.

In the months ahead, as Mamdani transitions from mayor-elect to mayor, his relationship with Satmar—and with other religious constituencies—will serve as a revealing test of his ability to govern amid complexity. The warm welcome he received on the twenty-first of Kislev suggests an openness to dialogue. Whether that dialogue can be sustained, and at what political cost, remains one of the more consequential questions now facing New York’s next mayor.