New York rabbis met with Adams: "The way he disparages Israel is truly causing damage"

A sharp and unusual message was delivered to New York Mayor Eric Adams in a closed meeting with city rabbis: his statements against Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are harming the Jews of New York and hindering cooperation between community leaders and his administration.

According to a report in the "Forward," on Monday, Adams invited twelve rabbis to a one-hour meeting at City Hall to discuss combating antisemitism. Representatives from Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and other communities with diverse views on Israel were present. Despite these differences, the participants presented a unified message.

"There were rabbis in the room from across the spectrum of the Jewish community, and yet no one gave the mayor the message that 'everything is fine'," said Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism in the US, after the meeting.

According to him, there was a shared feeling that Adams does not fully understand the impact of his sharp criticism of Israel, his promise to arrest Netanyahu if he visits New York, and his calls for protests. "Everyone agreed that the current path cannot continue," said Jacobs. "The way he disparages Israel, and so incessantly, is truly causing damage."

Progressives are also concerned

Rabbi Rachel Timoner, senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn, noted that even progressive rabbis at the meeting made it clear they are concerned about Adams' rhetoric. She explained that while some are critical of Israeli policies, their criticism stems from a deep connection to the country.

The rabbis called on Adams to recognize the complexity of the situation in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, to highlight joint Israeli-Palestinian initiatives, and to steer public discourse toward issues where the city and the Jewish community can collaborate.

Rabbi John Linder of the Prospect Heights Synagogue in Brooklyn, who identified as a "proud Zionist," stated that some of Adams' rhetoric "contributed to raising the flames" at a time when many Jews feel "increasingly vulnerable."

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Rise in antisemitism

The meeting took place against the backdrop of NYPD data showing that hate crimes against Jews rose by 8.5% during the first seven months of Adams' term. Antisemitic incidents accounted for 57% of all hate crimes in the city, with a 53% increase recorded in July alone compared to the same period last year.

Jacobs told Adams personally: "Mr. Mayor, you have an extraordinary rhetorical talent." He suggested that changing the tone and frequency of his statements would be "extraordinarily powerful" and would facilitate better cooperation on common issues.

The rabbis noted that Adams was engaged throughout the meeting. "The mayor listened deeply and responded with care," said Timoner. "He said he would consider the feedback with his team." Linder, who called for increased police presence around synagogues and Jewish institutions, defined the meeting as a "significant step in the right direction." The mayor's office stated that the conversation was "open, positive, and constructive," and that Adams will continue to work with Jewish communities across the city's five boroughs.