Dear Rabbis Krauss, Harcsztark, and Kroll, and Dr. Wasserman:
We, alumni, students, and parents of SAR and Ramaz, share your concern about rising antisemitism globally and in New York City, and applaud your teaching our youth to be proud of their Jewish identity. Alongside all members of the Jewish community, we have watched in horror as Jews in New York have faced harassment and violent assaults. We do not want children growing up feeling threatened or hiding their identity.
We believe that the public tefilah gathering planned for this Friday morning outside of Gracie Mansion runs counter to these shared aims. Instead, the chosen location will likely be interpreted as a political statement against the mayor, rather than as a response to rising antisemitism. This gathering needlessly inflames tensions between the mayor and the Modern Orthodox Jewish community, as opposed to inviting him into conversation as a potential ally working for the shared safety of all New Yorkers. Additionally, members of our community do not all share the same opinions regarding Mayor Mamdani. Choosing to gather outside of his residence, whatever the stated purpose, inaccurately portrays the Modern Orthodox community as a political monolith opposed to the mayor.
We are also concerned that this planned prayer gathering has the appearance of using the children of our community as political pawns, presenting them as “lead[ing] the way,” when they are being brought to an event planned by adults. We agree it is important to educate children on civic responsibility and to create opportunities for them to make their voices heard. But bringing them to a public gathering with unclear messaging that is likely to be interpreted as opposition to the mayor does not accomplish that goal. Furthermore, many of us who are parents of current students feel that an event which places our children in the public eye must be carefully planned and communicated in detail in advance; the vague descriptions and piecemeal communications to the community are deeply concerning.
On the eve of Shabbos Shuva, a time of year meant for cheshbon hanefesh, our community and institutions will be best served by focusing on how to repair rifts, both within our own community and with the broader New York City community, rather than exacerbating them. We urge you to consider relocating the tefilah gathering to a neutral location, such as Central Park, to let our students’ Jewish pride and our shared prayers for health and safety in this new year be the central focus of the event.