Overview
- New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke at Michael Dorf’s 33rd Downtown Seder at City Winery on Monday, where a heckler shouted from the back before attendees shushed the interruption and the mayor finished to applause.
- Israeli-American comedian Modi Rosenfeld pulled out earlier that day after learning Mamdani would attend, with his team saying they had not been told he was participating.
- Host Michael Dorf defended inviting Mamdani in a Substack post that framed the seder as bridge-building and noted all proceeds were directed to Seeds of Peace.
- The program continued with Israeli musician David Broza performing, comedian Olga Namer making jokes about the mayor, and former CNN anchor Don Lemon asking the traditional Four Questions.
- Coverage tied the tense moment to a broader pattern as critics cite Mamdani’s past comments on Israel and reports about his wife’s old social media activity, with right-leaning outlets emphasizing those controversies and supporters describing the seder as an effort to engage.