New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani attended gatherings of both factions of the Satmar Hassidic court on Wednesday evening in Brooklyn in honor of Chof Aleph Kislev, which marks the anniversary of the previous Rebbe's escape from the Holocaust.
Video on social media shows the Mayor-elect being warmly welcomed by the Hassidim and the Rebbe, Rabbi Aharon Teitelbaum. Mamdani was accompanied by his senior advisor, Andrew Epstein, and Democratic-Socialist NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
Despite accusations of antisemitism, many members of the vehemently anti-Zionist Satmar sect have endorsed and supported Mamdani. During the Sukkot holiday in October, ahead of the election, he visited the sukkahs of two influential figures from both Satmar factions, Rabbi Moishe Indig and Rabbi Shulem Deutch.
The Hassidic court also received a letter from President Donald Trump commemorating the event. In the letter, President Trump wrote that "this time of remembrance does not just commemorate Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum's escape from the Holocaust-it also celebrates the triumphant faith that continues to inspire the flourishing Satmar community in the United States and around the world. His enduring legacy extends across generations of Satmar, whose thousands of followers are guided by his teachings and rooted in a commitment to faith and scholarship."
The President added: "Through instilling the importance of faith, prayer, and conviction in tomorrow's leaders, you help forge a promising future that will continue to guide and uplift generations to come. As President, I remain committed to protecting religious liberties within our classrooms and beyond so that all people may live out their faith freely, openly, and without fear of persecution. Together, we will continue to usher in the Golden Age of America."