Jewish groups pull out of NYC mayor’s interfaith breakfast
Mayor Zohran Mamdani will host the annual NYC Interfaith Breakfast on Friday, a tradition that gathers hundreds of faith leaders, but the composition of Jewish participation has shifted dramatically this year.
Sponsorship Landscape Changes
Three organizations that have routinely sponsored recent breakfasts—UJA‑Federation of New York, the New York Board of Rabbis and the Anti‑Defamation League (ADL)—are absent from this year’s roster. Both UJA and the New York Board of Rabbis declined to comment on their non‑participation, and a City Hall spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.
According to ADL regional director Scott Richman, “For years, ADL has proudly sponsored the NYC Mayor’s annual Interfaith Breakfast… This year, ADL was not invited to attend.” He added that protecting every Jewish New Yorker is paramount, especially amid a surge in violent antisemitism.
After the story broke, the ADL clarified that it had declined to sponsor the event before it failed to receive an invitation.
New Jewish Sponsors and Political Context
Progressive‑leaning Jewish groups are stepping into the sponsorship void. Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, which has never before co‑sponsored the event, confirmed its participation. The New York Jewish Agenda is also a sponsor, and its outgoing leader, Phylisa Wisdom, is slated to make her first public appearance as the executive director of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism.
Rabbi Marc Schneier, a vocal critic of Mamdani and of his appointment of Wisdom, announced he will decline the mayor’s invitation, stating he would be “aghast” if traditional groups such as UJA, NYBR, and ADL were to support the breakfast given Mamdani’s “anti‑Zionism.”
Other critics, like Elliot Cosgrove, senior rabbi of Park Avenue Synagogue, said he intends to attend, noting he was unaware of the event’s past or present sponsorship dynamics.
The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York and the Sephardic Community Federation, past sponsors, did not respond to inquiries, nor did a spokesperson for the mayor’s office.
Historical Touchpoints
The breakfast has occasionally become a flashpoint for political dissent. During Bloomberg’s tenure, about a dozen Muslim leaders boycotted the event over alleged police surveillance of Muslim communities. Mayor Eric Adams made headlines at the 2023 breakfast by dismissing the need to separate church and state and delivering a campaign‑style speech the following year that focused on his personal background and resilience to criticism.
A City Hall press release for this year’s gathering, to be held at the New York Public Library’s flagship building, emphasizes that the event will “bring together faith leaders from across the five boroughs to honour the city’s religious, spiritual, and cultural diversity,” without listing sponsors or speakers.
Potential Developments
Given the evolving sponsor profile, the mayor’s office could continue to court progressive Jewish groups for future events, potentially reshaping the dialogue around antisemitism and Israel‑related issues. Conversely, traditional organizations may reassess their involvement if the perceived alignment with the mayor’s policies remains at odds with their constituencies. Analysts expect that the composition of sponsors will remain a barometer for the administration’s relationship with the broader Jewish community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is hosting the NYC Interfaith Breakfast this year?
The event is being hosted by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Why are UJA‑Federation, the New York Board of Rabbis, and the ADL not sponsoring this year’s breakfast?
UJA‑Federation and the New York Board of Rabbis have not confirmed why they are not sponsoring, and the ADL stated it was not invited and had declined to sponsor before not receiving an invitation.
Which new Jewish organizations are sponsoring the breakfast?
Jews for Racial and Economic Justice and the New York Jewish Agenda are confirmed co‑sponsors, with Phylisa Wisdom expected to appear as the executive director of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism.
How do you think these sponsorship changes might affect the city’s interfaith dialogue moving forward?