Hasidic Journalist Tracks Mayor Mamdani in NY Times Sunday Feature

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Times on Sunday profiled Jacob Kornbluh, a Hasidic grandfather from Brooklyn who has become a key voice covering New York City politics. Kornbluh, 44, is the senior political reporter for The Forward, a historic Jewish publication, and the only Hasidic journalist who follows Mayor Zohran Mamdani on a daily basis.

Known for his yarmulke and curled sidelocks, Kornbluh covers a Muslim mayor while remaining rooted in a Hasidic community often skeptical of Mamdani. The Times described him as a “bridge” between the mayor and readers wary of his policies, especially on Israel and Jewish community concerns.

Kornbluh’s coverage extends beyond Brooklyn, reaching national political offices, Jewish congregations, and social media audiences. Posts from his X account, formerly Twitter, have drawn millions of views, reflecting public fascination with Mamdani’s administration.

Born in London and raised in the Belzer Hasidic community of Stamford Hill, Kornbluh moved to New York in his 20s. He began reporting while running a Brooklyn deli, gradually building access to city campaigns and Jewish political circles. He has previously worked for Jewish Insider before joining The Forward.

Kornbluh’s reporting has occasionally drawn criticism from his own community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was confronted while covering protests against health restrictions. Yet he remains a fixture in both the Hasidic world and New York politics.

Mayor Mamdani’s office has praised Kornbluh, highlighting his ability to capture attention across Jewish voters and broader political audiences. Kornbluh has also documented moments of the mayor engaging with local communities, from helping shovel snow in Brooklyn to private meetings with Holocaust survivors.

“I’m not this Hasidic journalist,” Kornbluh told The Times. “I’m a journalist who’s Hasidic.”