For Immediate Release: September 26, 2025
Media Contact: Alice Hickson, [email protected], 203-505-2854
New York City – Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, the nation’s largest domestic focused progressive Jewish advocacy organization, announced its first ever mayoral endorsement today in support of Zohran Mamdani’s campaign for New York City Mayor.
“During joyous Rosh Hashanah celebrations, Jews around New York and the US reached across tables and political divides with beloved family members to celebrate our shared values for a sweet and just New Year for all.” said Jamie Beran, Bend the Arc’s Chief Executive Officer. “And now we have a candidate that can do the same.”
“I’m thrilled that in the upcoming New York City mayoral election, Bend the Arc will engage in this same, vital work of bringing our community together to make sure Zohran Mamdani is the next mayor of New York. His victory will reshape the national dialogue around what we can achieve in progressive elections and governance, and around the role of the Jewish community in coalition building that work.”
“It’s no surprise that so many Jewish New Yorkers recognize in Mamdani a visionary leader and champion for our shared values,” said Eli Williams-Szenes, Bend the Arc: Jewish Action’s Director of Advocacy and Political Affairs. “We want what everyone else wants, and what Zohran Mamdani is best equipped to deliver: a city that is run for the people, instead of running roughshod over them. And a vision for what’s possible across the nation when we confront fascism with our multifaith, multiracial majority.”
“This is more than an election, it’s a story of what’s possible when we work together to create a coalition against fascism. This multifaith, multiracial coalition is the antidote to MAGA hate. Together, we can unite and win elections and make progress across this country. Bend the Arc is an important national partner in that fight.” said Comptroller Brad Lander, New York City’s highest ranking local elected Jewish official, who also ran for the Democratic nomination for Mayor and cross-endorsed Mamdani.
“It’s because of work led by local partners like Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ) and leaders like New York City Comptroller Brad Lander that we were able to see Jewish New Yorkers show up and help Mamdani win the Democratic nomination,” said Jillian Lipman, Bend The Arc’s Antisemitism Campaign Manager. “Many of our local chapter members have already been volunteering during the primary, wanting to elect a mayor who would actually stand up to ICE.” “It’s love for each other that’s going to win this. And it will be because of that victory, and Bend The Arc’s national work, that a Mayor Mamdani won’t just be the victorious end of a local race, but the beginning of a national story. One where Jewish voters across the nation see what we can win for all of our communities when we stay in solidarity. And to do that we must continue to see through the use of antisemitism as a smokescreen to divide us.”
“A Mayor Mamdani is a game changer. And it will be important to tell the Brad Lander and Zohran Mamdani story that helped get us there. It's a story of two people with some different perspectives but many shared values, coming together with the goal of turning those values into material and life saving change for millions of New Yorkers.” added Jamie Beran, CEO of Bend The Arc: Jewish Action. “We’re gonna need more of that – everywhere.”
For over a decade, Bend the Arc: Jewish Action’s political work has demonstrated the power of Jewish communities when we come together with each other and in a multifaith, multiracial coalition to win progressive change.
