Mayor Mamdani and the Jews | Jacob Kornbluh

Описание: Jacob Kornbluh is a Hasidic reporter covering the Mamdani beat at a moment when Zohran Mamdani has become a lightning rod in Jewish communities. For many, Mamdani represents fear, anger, political anxiety, and deep uncertainty about where New York is headed. And in the middle of that storm is Kornbluh.

Recently featured in The New York Times, Kornbluh occupies a complicated position. He reports on power while belonging to a community that often feels scrutinized by power. During COVID, some Hasidic critics accused him of “reporting on” the community to city officials. That tension hasn’t disappeared. If anything, it’s intensified.

I went into this interview not knowing what to expect. As a Hasidic man speaking with me, and about issues that feel raw and personal. This conversation surprised me and left me with an invite to travel across the world to a wedding. You never know!

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction and Context
1:55 Covering the Mamdani Beat
3:42 Mamdani's Political Stance and Jewish Community Reactions
6:03 Personal Impressions of Mamdani
11:16 Jewish Community Concerns
16:28 Balancing Journalism and Community Ties
42:20 Legacy During COVID
20:41 Jacob's Personal Background and Community Engagement
32:47 Challenges and Opportunities in Journalism
51:21 Conclusion and Future Engagement

You can follow Jacob Kornbluh here:

📰 Reporter at The Forward
https://forward.com/author/jacob-korn...

🐦 Twitter / X
  / jacobkornbluh  

🗞 His recent feature in The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/01/ny...

As always, I’m curious what you think. Please leave a comment!

Frieda.