NEW YORK – New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani marked the start of Hanukkah by celebrating the Jewish holiday with actor Mandy Patinkin and his family, according to a video Mamdani shared on social media.
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The video shows Mamdani lighting a menorah, reciting Hebrew blessings and helping prepare traditional Hanukkah foods at Patinkin’s home alongside the actor, his wife Kathryn Grody and their son. In the clip, Patinkin warmly welcomes Mamdani and jokes that his upcoming mayoralty is “blessed.”
In a post accompanying the video, Mamdani said it was “a joy” to celebrate Hanukkah with the Patinkin family and wished Jewish New Yorkers a holiday filled with light and warmth as they begin the eight-day Festival of Lights.
The appearance quickly drew attention online, generating a mix of praise and criticism from viewers reacting to the mayor-elect’s outreach to the Jewish community during one of Judaism’s most widely observed holidays.
Mamdani, who is set to take office next year, has said he intends to govern inclusively and engage with the city’s diverse religious and cultural communities as mayor of the nation’s largest city.
It was such a joy to celebrate Hanukkah with Mandy, Kathryn and their son, Gideon. 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. pic.twitter.com/GOxL8Jl5wf
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) December 20, 2025
Propaganda. Let’s see him denounce Globalize the Intifada or the radical Hamas protesters in NYC…
Hamas Nazi Supporting JINO Scum.
It’s like Hitler s son lighting the menorah and their Jewish like a pig is kosher
We have a lot of very lost, confused Jews, the result of this long, dark golus. Calling them terrible names does not help.
Without the torah there’s no limit to how far a jew can get
Chanukah celebrates the finding of oil that was not touched by the Greeks and the rededication of the Bais Hamikdosh. By acknowledging Chanukah, you are showing support for Jewish origins, history and rights to the land of Israel.
In even further outreach to the Jewish community, I hear that tomorrow night Mamdani is scheduled to light the menorah with members of Neturei Karta. Kol hakavod!
As a way to show how much he’s willing to suffer for the Jewish community Mamdani agreed to spend 24 hours locked in a room with Heshy Tischler.
Fake smile in this sheep who will turn lion
On January first Momdani will be the new mayor I see zero benefit to snub him or bash him at this time. It’s to his credit hes reaching out to our community. And the fact is if he wouldn’t have gone to any Chanukah celebrations he would have been criticised for that.
Anti semites don’t light menorahs
2 loons in a pod
Let’s be real: The mayoral election was a choice between the lesser of 2 evils. Based on the Mishpacha magazine interview with Rabbi Moshe Indig (where the Satmar askan who defended his endorsement of Mamdani) plus the actual actions of Cuomo against the Jewish community, I am inclined to say that Cuomo was NOT the lesser of the 2 evils.
Sure, Mamdani will cause us problems and issues – but Cuomo could be much worse.
(Feel free to provide your knee-jerk down votes.)
He lights a Menorah, yet this piece of anti-semetic drek publicly states he will arrest the leader of the only democratic country in the middle east. The JEWISH country that has produced more benefits to humanity that perhaps any other country in the world. If you hate Jews with such a passion please STOP using all the medical advances, devices, all the technology that Yidden have invented and go back to riding camels instead of 747’s with gold toilets. Zohran the MORON if you even so much as attempt to to arrest The Rosh HaMemshelet you should be arrested for violation of USA law. You have no juristiction.
3rth7ubji
Hey Mandy, don’t you think that this terrorist wants to kill you too? You are such a sucker you’re a coward you think being politically correct will help you you are a KAPO and Hitler would’ve certainly taken you first to the ovens so don’t try to butter. up to those that hate you
Nice, hope he is good for the Jews.