With sundown on Wednesday marking the beginning of Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, it only makes sense that New York pols would make sure they (or more likely, their communications team) release statements that reflect the importance to millions of citizens in the five boroughs.
Ratcheting up the stakes of course is the fact that several candidates in the Empire state find themselves in the middle of a contentious political battle over who will become the next mayor of New York City in 2025. Readers might have caught current Mayor Eric Adams (D-NY) choosing to announce he was suspending his campaign in recent days. That leaves the left with two not-so-great options: former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Queens Assemblyman and self-described Democrat socialist, Zohran Mamdani.
One of the elected officials who made sure to chime in with seasonal greetings to Jewish New Yorkers set to pray and fast over the next 24 hours, just as an example, was Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul, who wrote on her X account just about 3 p.m. Eastern time:
As Yom Kippur begins at sundown, I send strength and peace to our Jewish neighbors across New York and around the world.
May your fast be easy and meaningful, and may this day of repentance and reflection bring renewal and peace. G’mar Chatima Tova.
READ MORE: Big Shake-Up in NYC Mayoral Race As Eric Adams Drops Out
Not to be outdone, Andrew Cuomo's statement seemed ready to go in advance, with it getting pushed out onto X around 1 p.m. Eastern:
Yom Kippur teaches us to learn from the past, to do better for one another, and to move forward with humility and hope.
At a time when antisemitism is on the rise and our city faces great challenges, let us draw strength from our shared values and commitment to each other.
May this new year bring peace, health, and healing to the Jewish community and to all New Yorkers.
G’mar Chatima Tova.
On Sept. 30, he also made sure voters had heard that he has support from many Jewish leaders in NYC, sharing an article on his X account entitled, "NYC Jewish Leaders Unite Against Zohran Mamdani, Endorse Andrew Cuomo for Mayor," while writing that he's "honored" by their endorsements.
Meanwhile, Mayor Adams' other former rival for the mayorship, Mamdani, did not share a statement of any kind until... about an hour ago, with just minutes to spare before the sun would set.
I'll circle back, but see if you notice something missing in Mamdani's statement/message. Here's the written statement:
Yom Kippur is a day of reflection, of forgiveness, of restoration. This year, may we all pray for a better, kinder, more peaceful future.
Wishing all who observe across the five boroughs and the world a meaningful, easy fast. G’mar chatimah tovah.
And here's his video message on the beginning of the holiday:
Now, contrast that with Adams' video message/statement for Yom Kippur:
Notice what I did that was absent in the man's message? Yeah, there's no mention of God.
While Mayor Adams released a genuine message focused on the major religious observance, anyone with eyes can see this is a transparent misstep by the Democrat socialist, who only put out the message at the last minute, while the others got their tributes out to the people hours ago.
There are two big problems here, and they fall under the optics category. First, it's a reminder that whomever wins in November, he's the mayor of all New Yorkers once elected, not just the champion of horse you rode in on, so to speak.
This is the more troubling issue, though. People should not have had to wait and wonder over whether you will communicate something so obvious and simple to the people you are asking to hire you to represent them. It's basic respect, in other words. Whether it's a fact or not, Mamdani appears to be playing catch up here. Maybe he wasn't going to put out a message at all? That lingering doubt should not be on your potential voters' minds. Mamdani and his campaign have no one to blame but themselves for this unforced error. Pathetic--and not a good look, when Mamdani has already proven he is unable to convince people he is not antisemitic.
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