{"id":347426,"date":"2026-09-15T15:36:28","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T15:36:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/347426\/"},"modified":"2026-09-15T15:36:28","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T15:36:28","slug":"miss-israel-visits-city-hall-in-manhattan-says-wont-try-to-meet-mamdani-israel-jewish-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/347426\/","title":{"rendered":"Miss Israel visits City Hall in Manhattan, says won\u2019t try to meet Mamdani – Israel & Jewish News"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Sept. 15, 2026 \/ JNS)\n <\/p>\n

When someone connected to her team offered to see if Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York City, would meet with her, Danielle Yablonka, Miss Israel 2026, declined.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m always open to meeting and having conversations, but I\u2019m not looking to give a PR stunt opportunity to someone that doesn\u2019t support my values, my country and my people\u2019s right to exist,\u201d she told JNS.<\/p>\n

Mamdani campaigned on having the Israeli prime minister arrested, and his spokeswoman said that synagogues violate international law when they host pro-Israel events. Leaders of major Jewish organizations say that the mayor\u2019s rhetoric makes Jews unsafe.<\/p>\n

Instead, Yablonka<\/a> visited City Hall last week and met with other local leaders, including Eric Dinowitz, a Jewish member of the City Council who is chair of its Jewish caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred.<\/p>\n

\u201cCultural visits like this are so incredibly important, because it allows us to start to see people as people and not as characters or demons,\u201d Dinowitz told JNS.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a very well-organized attempt to demonize Israel and the Israeli people, and by extension the Jewish people are facing a large brunt of not just hate crimes but even being excluded from educational institutions or different professions,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Eric<\/p>\n

Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.<\/p>\n

In Mamdani\u2019s first month in office, anti-Jewish hate crimes in New York City surged 182% compared to January 2025. Since then, a majority of hate crimes in the city have targeted Jews, even though Jewish New Yorkers only make up about 10% of city residents.<\/p>\n

Dinowitz told JNS that members of the City Council met recently with healthcare professionals, \u201cbecause we\u2019ve seen a surge of antisemitism couched in anti-Zionism in the healthcare industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve met with countless students who have said they felt excluded or have been excluded from study groups and clubs because of their shared ancestry,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a deep bond between New York City and Israel, and whether it\u2019s hosting Miss Israel or meeting with elected officials from Israel, I am always looking to strengthen those bonds,\u201d Dinowitz told JNS. \u201cAs more and more people are entering their echo chambers on social media, it\u2019s important we actually visit and learn from one another, which is a critical mission of mine as an educator and as an elected official.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yablonka was visiting New York City, where she walked in the \u201cI Love Jewish Girls\u201d runway show<\/a> during New York Fashion Week. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Eric<\/p>\n

Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.<\/p>\n

She met with Michael Novakhov, a New York state representative, and is scheduled to visit the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce this week.<\/p>\n

Touring City Hall and meeting with elected officials are exactly the kinds of things that Miss Israel is supposed to do, according to Yablonka.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s just a scary time in general to be a Jew in the world outside of Israel, so to be here in New York City, which has been the site of the largest increase of antisemitism in the United States, with the greatest Jewish population, representing Israel in New York is about carrying my country, my people and my story into one of the biggest Jewish Diaspora stages,\u201d she told JNS.<\/p>\n

\u201cI definitely felt good to have a representation within City Hall that was a Jewish member, who was proud enough and happy enough to welcome me,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Her biggest takeaway from meeting with Dinowitz was that \u201cit\u2019s all about building relationships between Israel and New York, and it\u2019s about showing up, speaking up as a proud Jew, listening and finding common ground.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure it\u2019s not easy for him as a councilman to be a Jewish, open Israel supporter when you have a mayor that doesn\u2019t support your people, your country,\u201d she told JNS. \u201cIt means a lot to me to be able to create connections with leaders who are able to actually help turn dialogue into action.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Eric<\/p>\n

Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaking actual change, meaningful change, starts in rooms with people who are the ones making it happen,\u201d she said. (She referred JNS to the song \u201cThe Room Where It Happens\u201d from the Broadway musical \u201cHamilton.\u201d)<\/p>\n

The highlight of her City Hall tour, Yablonka said, was the historic Governor\u2019s Room<\/a>, which dates back to around 1815 and includes art and artifacts, including a desk that George Washington used.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a painting of Washington in the room painted during the war, and in the picture, there are towns on fire behind Washington,\u201d she told JNS. \u201cIt was kind of a snub to Washington for not getting paid, because it was during the war, and he looked fatter as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI love historical paintings, and I also realized while walking around how, as someone who\u2019s studied art history, I just think that I\u2019ve learned more about British history than I ever did about American history,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t recognize any of the American artists who painted these portraits of our Founding Fathers, so it was fascinating to see all these paintings of our own country versus always looking at British historical art,\u201d she told JNS, of the room that included works by John Trumbull.<\/p>\n

The visit also gave Yablonka and Dinowitz the chance to share their experiences in America and Israel and compare notes on the political systems of both countries, according to Dinowitz.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1 of 13<\/p>\n

\n Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.\n <\/p>\n

\n ALEX KRALES\n <\/p>\n

2 of 13<\/p>\n

\n Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.\n <\/p>\n

\n ALEX KRALES\n <\/p>\n

3 of 13<\/p>\n

\n Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.\n <\/p>\n

\n ALEX KRALES\n <\/p>\n

4 of 13<\/p>\n

\n Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.\n <\/p>\n

\n ALEX KRALES\n <\/p>\n

5 of 13<\/p>\n

\n Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.\n <\/p>\n

\n ALEX KRALES\n <\/p>\n

6 of 13<\/p>\n

\n Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.\n <\/p>\n

\n ALEX KRALES\n <\/p>\n

7 of 13<\/p>\n

\n Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.\n <\/p>\n

\n ALEX KRALES\n <\/p>\n

8 of 13<\/p>\n

\n Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.\n <\/p>\n

\n ALEX KRALES\n <\/p>\n

9 of 13<\/p>\n

\n Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.\n <\/p>\n

\n ALEX KRALES\n <\/p>\n

10 of 13<\/p>\n

\n Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.\n <\/p>\n

\n ALEX KRALES\n <\/p>\n

11 of 13<\/p>\n

\n Danielle Yablonka is crowned \u201cMiss Israel\u201d 2026 in Miami, July 2, 2026. Photo by Vita Fellig.\n <\/p>\n

12 of 13<\/p>\n

\n Danielle Yablonka is crowned \u201cMiss Israel\u201d 2026 in Miami, July 2, 2026. Credit: Adley Calixte\/\u201cMiss Israel.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

13 of 13<\/p>\n

\n Danielle Yablonka is crowned as \u201cMiss Israel\u201d 2026 in Miami, July 2, 2026. Credit: Adley Calixte\/\u201cMiss Israel.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

Miss Israel tours City Hall in Manhattan<\/p>\n

Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.<\/p>\n

ALEX KRALES<\/p>\n

Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.<\/p>\n

ALEX KRALES<\/p>\n

Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.<\/p>\n

ALEX KRALES<\/p>\n

Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.<\/p>\n

ALEX KRALES<\/p>\n

Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.<\/p>\n

ALEX KRALES<\/p>\n

Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.<\/p>\n

ALEX KRALES<\/p>\n

Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.<\/p>\n

ALEX KRALES<\/p>\n

Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.<\/p>\n

ALEX KRALES<\/p>\n

Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.<\/p>\n

ALEX KRALES<\/p>\n

Eric Dinowitz, a member of the New York City Council and chair of its Jewish Caucus and co-chair of its bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, tours City Hall with Danielle Yablonka, Miss Universe Israel, Sept. 10, 2026. Credit: Alex Krales\/NYC Council.<\/p>\n

ALEX KRALES<\/p>\n

Danielle Yablonka is crowned \u201cMiss Israel\u201d 2026 in Miami, July 2, 2026. Photo by Vita Fellig.<\/p>\n

Danielle Yablonka is crowned \u201cMiss Israel\u201d 2026 in Miami, July 2, 2026. Credit: Adley Calixte\/\u201cMiss Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Danielle Yablonka is crowned as \u201cMiss Israel\u201d 2026 in Miami, July 2, 2026. Credit: Adley Calixte\/\u201cMiss Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIsrael and America are both strong, functioning democracies,\u201d he told JNS. \u201cThere are always ways to strengthen our democracy, whether it\u2019s improving our education system and land use systems.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a lot of jurisdiction over the city. We have strengths and weaknesses in our system, and Israel has strengths and weaknesses in theirs,\u201d he said. \u201cSo it\u2019s important to learn from one another to create a path forward to strengthening our respective democracies and our government.\u201d<\/p>\n

JNS asked Dinowitz if he thought that Mamdani\u2019s staff should have invited Miss Israel to meet with the mayor. The City Council member said that was outside his purview.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the great things about New York City as compared to, let\u2019s say, Washington, is that our legislative branch and our executive branch are in the same building,\u201d he told JNS.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe it\u2019s different sides of the building, but we\u2019re all there working together,\u201d he said. \u201cSo I\u2019m going to welcome anyone and everyone who wants to work together to make life better for people around our city and people across the world.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"(Sept. 15, 2026 \/ JNS) When someone connected to her team offered to see if Zohran Mamdani, mayor…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":347427,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[75,84,83,9,24,63],"class_list":["post-347426","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-manhattan","tag-manhattan","tag-manhattan-headlines","tag-manhattan-news","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-nyc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/347426","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=347426"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/347426\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/347427"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=347426"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=347426"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=347426"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}