The recent election of Zoharan Mamdani as mayor of New York did not come as a surprise to many who had followed his public positions. Mamdani has repeatedly expressed open hostility toward the State of Israel and toward the soldiers defending it.
What was more striking, however, was the support he received from several Jewish groups and activists. This is not a new story in Jewish history.
There have always been Jews who distanced themselves from their people, and at times, even opposed them. Some operated from the fringes, while others held positions of influence and cultural authority.
