![\"Mayor](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Untitled-design-1.jpg\" "\\"Mamdani")
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani chose Phylisa Wisdom to lead NYC\u2019s Office to Combat Antisemitism. <\/p>\n
Main image: Lloyd Mitchell; Inset; Phylisa Wisdom Facebook<\/p>\n
Mayor Zohran Mamdani<\/a>\u2019s pick to lead the Office to Combat Antisemitism in NYC sparked controversy on Thursday \u2014 drawing both criticism from those questioning the appointee\u2019s suitability and strong endorsements from those welcoming the move.\u00a0<\/p>\n The mayor tapped Phylisa Wisdom to spearhead the city\u2019s response to antisemitism, a scourge that has increased<\/a> by nearly 182% last month compared to January 2025. While Wisdom led a progressive Jewish advocacy organization, her appointment is receiving backlash from some Jewish leaders who are concerned about her suitability to lead the office, which was established under the watch of former Mayor Eric Adams.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cPhylisa is a respected leader and powerful voice in the fight against antisemitism in New York City, Albany and across the country,\u201d he said. \u201cDay in and day out, across all five boroughs, we will work together to root out antisemitism and build a New York City where Jewish New Yorkers are safe, respected and free.\u201d<\/p>\n Wisdom most recently served as the executive director of the New York Jewish Agenda (NYJA), a liberal advocacy organization that has been a vocal critic of Israel\u2019s military actions in Gaza. While NYJA strongly condemned the Hamas terror attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, it has also publicly called for a halt to Israel\u2019s military response<\/a>.<\/p>\n The organization spoke out against the retaliation efforts as early as November 2023, just weeks after the terror attack that left 1,200 people dead and hundreds more held hostage \u2014 saying it is \u201cdeeply distressed by the approach being taken by the Netanyahu government.\u201d<\/p>\n The NYJA has also opposed the Anti-Defamation League\u2019s (ADL) \u201cMamdani Monitor,\u201d launched after the mayor won last year\u2019s election, to track and monitor the policies, personnel appointments actions of his administration that could affect the well-being of Jewish New Yorkers.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a dangerous, divisive and unproductive approach from the ADL,\u201d the organization said in an online statement about the monitor.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Jewish leaders hit back at the Wisdom\u2019s appointment on Feb. 5. An ADL spokesperson told amNewYork the organization now has \u201cserious concerns\u201d about the office\u2019s ability to confront antisemitism under its new leadership.<\/p>\n \u201cThe director of this office serves as a critical voice for Jewish New Yorkers and plays a central role in ensuring their safety,\u201d the spokesperson said. \u201cADL has shared concrete recommendations to strengthen the office\u2019s effectiveness\u00a0and protect\u00a0the entire community, without exception or qualification.\u201d<\/p>\n Rabbi Marc Schneier, president of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, criticized Wisdom for opposing the widely adopted definition of antisemitism.\n<\/p>\n \u201cThe leader of the Office to Combat Antisemitism must understand a basic truth. Israel cannot be bifurcated from Judaism,\u201d Schneier said. \u201cMs. Wisdom\u2019s opposition to the IHRA [International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance] definition of antisemitism, adopted by 50 nations worldwide and 37 of 50 states in America, calls that understanding into question.\u201d<\/p>\n