NEW YORK (VINnews) — Jewish comedian Mordechai Rosenfeld, known professionally as Modi, said Monday he will not attend an annual Passover-themed event in Lower Manhattan after learning that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is scheduled to participate.
The “Downtown Seder,” a benefit tied to a nonprofit focused on peacebuilding, is set to take place Monday evening. Israeli musician David Broza is also expected to appear.
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In a statement posted on Instagram, Modi’s representatives said they were unaware of the mayor’s involvement until Monday. “We were not aware Mamdani was participating until today. Modi will not be attending this evening,” the statement read.
Mamdani has drawn criticism from some Jewish groups over policy decisions and positions related to Israel. On his first day in office, he rescinded several executive orders issued by his predecessor, including one adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism and another restricting city officials from engaging in boycotts or divestment targeting Israel.
The mayor has also faced scrutiny in recent weeks over additional controversies connected to Israel and antisemitism.
The Downtown Seder’s organizers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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