A prominent Jewish advocacy group has accused Democratic socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani of disrespecting Jewish traditions after he shared a parody video they say mocked Hanukkah and featured “Indian men cosplaying Jews.”
The group, Stop Antisemitism, condemned Mamdani on Saturday for posting a clip last year from the Geeta Brothers Duet Group — a comedic act featuring men in wigs dancing around a menorah and spinning dreidels to upbeat Punjabi music.
“Our holidays and traditions are sacred and not for your comedic pleasure,” the group wrote on X, calling Mamdani’s post “sick.”
The 33-year-old Queens assemblyman had captioned the post: “Happy 3rd night of Hanukkah from Astoria and Long Island City.”
The video, titled “Hey Hanukkah,” comes from a 2015 parody album by Sikh-Canadian comedian Jus Reign. Mamdani also shared another video from the same group on Christmas Eve 2024 — a similarly styled parody of “Jingle Bells.”
Critics argue that the videos, shared during religious holidays, trivialize sacred observances.
Mamdani has not publicly responded to the backlash.
The controversy adds to growing tensions around Mamdani’s mayoral bid. Some Jewish New Yorkers were alarmed by pro-Mamdani text messages referencing victims of Hamas’ October 7th attack in Israel. One message read, “My friend Idan was murdered… The war is personal to me, as it is to many others… Idan believed in peace, just like Zohran does.” It’s unclear who authored or distributed the messages.
Mamdani, who was born in Uganda to Indian parents and graduated from Bronx Science, has previously drawn criticism for refusing to affirm Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.
Earlier this week, he faced additional scrutiny after reports emerged that he identified as African American on his Columbia University application — a claim that sparked backlash from Black New Yorkers.
As Mamdani’s campaign gains momentum, these controversies are beginning to take center stage.
