Anti-Zionist Mamdani Celebrates Hanukkah With Mandy Patinkin in New York

A three-plus-minute video released Saturday shows Zohran Mamdani, New York City's mayor-elect and a vocal anti-Zionist, celebrating Hanukkah with actor Mandy Patinkin, Patinkin's wife Kathryn Grody, and their family at Patinkin's Manhattan home. The footage was filmed on the first day of Hanukkah last week as the holiday began across the city.

In the clip Mamdani helps cook latkes, takes part in Hebrew prayers, and lights candles beside Patinkin and his family. A moment captured as Mamdani arrives at the residence shows Patinkin shouting, "It’s the mayor! What are you doing here?" as he feigns surprise for the camera. Patinkin later remarks, "Here’s to more light," before the group sits down to eat, and Mamdani thanks the Patinkins on air. The footage also includes a line in which Patinkin is heard telling Mamdani, "You’re mayoral tenure or whatever it’s called has now been blessed."

Mamdmani posted on X that the moment was joyful and included a Hanukkah greeting: "As Jewish New Yorkers across our city prepare to light candles and mark the seventh night today, I wish you and your families a Hanukkah full of light and love." The post accompanied a summary of the segment.

Reaction to the video was mixed on social media. Some followers praised the moment as a gesture toward bridging communities, while others criticized it as performative. One commenter wrote that the clip carried vibes of 'I’m not anti-Semitic — some of my best friends are Jews.' Another said, 'Man, he will do anything to make New Yorkers think he supports the Jewish community.'

The appearance comes as Mamdani, known for his pro-Palestine, anti-Zionist stance, navigates a political landscape where New York City’s Jewish community has longstanding ties to public life. Observers note the optics of a high-profile Jewish actor hosting a meeting with a political figure who has framed his platform in part around anti-Israel positions.

This event underscores the tensions and opportunities embedded in cross-community outreach as Mamdani begins his tenure and faces scrutiny over how his personal and political identities intersect with the diverse constituencies of New York City. While supporters may view the gathering as a sign of solidarity, critics warn against appearances that may be perceived as strategic or performative gestures designed to reassure a coalition with limited overlap with the activist’s core stance. As Hanukkah continues, the video adds to the ongoing conversation about how elected officials engage with cultural and religious communities in a city as diverse as New York.