Mamdani Backed by World's Largest Hasidic Group Leaders

Satmar Rabbi Moishe Indig and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani

Leaders of Satmar, the largest Hasidic Jewish group in the world, have publicly defended Mayor Zohran Mamdani from allegations of antisemitism. ‍

At an August gathering, Grand Rebbe Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, who leads the group, condemned people who "denounce the mayor and brand him an antisemite," describing the attacks as a "provocation" and urging observant Jews to stop targeting the mayor.

The same week, fellow Satmar leader Rabbi Moishe Indig expressed a similar sentiment, saying "Zohran Mamdani has been a staunch friend of our community and will continue to be so in the future."

Satmar is a long-established Hasidic Jewish sect with communities across New York City and beyond. Rabbis Teitelbaum and Indig are both based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and each command major followings both internationally and across the city.

Their defense of Mamdani comes as New York City has seen anti-Jewish hate crimes rise since 2023. Since taking office in January 2026, Mamdani has increased the city's hate-crime prevention budget by roughly 800%, from $3 million to $26 million.

City Hall says a citywide strategy targeting antisemitism – the first of its kind – will launch this fall, working alongside the existing Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism.

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