The faithless progressive rabbis of New York

In Focus delivers deeper coverage of the political, cultural, and ideological issues shaping America. Published daily by senior writers and experts, these in-depth pieces go beyond the headlines to give readers the full picture. You can find our full list of In Focus pieces here .

When Zohran Mamdani’s campaign ad hit social media in the final stretch of his race for New York City mayor, it seemed at first like a parody. Four women beam into the camera, one after another, greeting each other with an identical line: “Hi, Rabbi!” None of them are rabbis in the traditional sense. No one wears religious garb. What they share is a politics, a certain brand of progressive Jewish identity that confuses moral certainty with moral authority.

Recommended Stories

There is no immigra