Brad Lander Delivers Major Address on Antisemitism, Democracy, and the Future of NYC

Lander spoke about the deep meaning Judaism carries for him and his family; how New York City has offered Jews the ability to flourish; and the harm of Trump and Cuomo’s weaponization of antisemitism

Video from Lander’s speech is available on campaign Youtube page

NEW YORK, NY — Last night at the West Side Institutional Synagogue, Brad Lander, the City’s highest ranking Jewish elected official, delivered a major address on antisemitism, democracy, and the future of New York City. Lander spoke about the deep personal, cultural, and spiritual meaning his Judaism carries for him and his family – and how, with antisemitism on the rise, this perilous moment in our country’s history calls for genuine courage, not the petty political games of Donald Trump and Andrew Cuomo who use Jews as pawns. 

Lander began by detailing his childhood where he almost became a rabbi, and his long admiration for New York City. “I was drawn to and captivated by New York City. I can’t get over what this city has been for our people. After two thousand years of wandering and oppression, this city has offered us safety and flourishing,” said Brad Lander. “I feel it very personally – the opportunity to raise Jewish kids in this city is one of the remarkable gifts of my life. We named our kids after tough, activist Jews – our son for Marek Edelman, one of the leaders of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Our daughter Rosa in part for Rose Schneiderman, a Jewish immigrant who fought tirelessly for workers rights, famous for demanding bread and roses.”

Lander addressed Cuomo previously delivering a speech at the same synagogue on the Upper West Side where he falsely attacked his opponents – including Lander, the highest ranking Jewish elected official in New York City government – of being antisemitic. 

“Antisemitism is rising, and we must fight it. But we must not fall for cynical approaches from opportunistic politicians – in some cases, politicians who aren’t even Jewish, trying to demonize leaders who are. Like when Donald Trump smeared Chuck Schumer, the highest ranking Jewish elected official in American history. Or when Andrew Cuomo, who has been sued for antisemitic discrimination and caught using anti-Jewish slurs, came to this very shul and attacked me, the highest ranking Jew in New York City government, trying to weaponize antisemitism for his own political gain – right out of the Donald Trump playbook,” said Lander. 

Lander continued: “Somehow, we Jews have become political pawns for politicians trying to score political points.”

Lander emphasized that, in fact, it is Cuomo who should be answering for his antisemetic record when it comes to the Jewish people: for slurring the Jewish people on the holiday of Sukkot, for being sued by Jewish leaders for acts of antisemitism, and for his long history of exploiting Jewish suffering for his political gain. Lander noted Cuomo created a sham organization to fight antisemitism that accomplished nothing (only to get good press) and smeared a political opponent as antisemitic, and later denied it.

Lander continued: “Uchsheani la’atsmi, ma’ani? But if I am for myself alone, what am I? Unfortunately, some people are for themselves alone – and Donald Trump and Andrew Cuomo are both on that list. Both are using Jews as pawns to advance their own interests – in dangerous ways… Donald Trump and Andrew Cuomo are welcome to disagree with my positions. But they don’t get to decide who’s a good Jew. Using Jews as pawns to score political points. Questioning the Jewishness of Jewish leaders you disagree with. Waving the flag of antisemitism to destroy programs Jews rely on. None of this makes us safer.”

Lander modeled a “better path forward” for keeping Jews safer in New York City that he’d be prepared to lead on as mayor. 

“We need a New York City Mayor who will stand up…for New York values. Someone who understands protecting Jewish culture and life is a matter of survival, not a convenient political talking point.  And we need a mayor who will govern our city better, so we can live up to those New York values. Someone who is honest. Someone who fights corruption. Someone who protects all of our communities. Someone who will work every day to build a New York City that is safer, more affordable, more livable, and better run – for Jewish New Yorkers, and for all New Yorkers,” Lander concluded. 

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