Bridging Our Divides for a Shared Future

By Rabbi Bob Kaplan

Zohran Mamdani’s recent victory has ignited joy and hope among his supporters while fostering fear and dread in many of those who opposed him. This stark divide reveals a troubling truth: our city is deeply split, leaving little room for those who occupy the middle ground. One side celebrates, while the other despairs —a formula for an unhealthy society that we cannot ignore.

We live in a city where we often overlook each other’s needs. It is essential to recognize the profound demographic and technological changes that have reshaped our society over the past several decades. These shifts have created significant intergenerational and communal differences, contributing to a complex atmosphere of division.

We are all grappling with an economic crisis characterized by rising costs and inequality—a challenge that resonates with many voters. However, in our attempts to simplify the reasons behind our choices, we risk overlooking the complexities and nuances of our evolving landscape.

Mamdani’s coalition may have initiated some bridges between disparate groups, as evidenced by the involvement of older political and community leaders, even if some joined reluctantly. Yet, last night’s results call for urgent action to confront and strategically respond to our divisions. Without this acknowledgment, we risk descending into further opposition, undermining our democracy and the fundamental values that unite us.

The division we face presents significant challenges for our common future. We are living in an era marked by trauma and anxiety, where hate as a political and ideological tool has become disturbingly normalized. This reality affects us all, with each group claiming the primacy of the hate directed at it while neglecting the pervasive destructiveness that affects everyone.
Consider the increasing antisemitism facing the Jewish community—a trauma that creates fear and anxiety for its members. Similarly, in conversations with Muslim leaders, I hear echoes of fear and trauma linked to anti-Muslim acts. Leaders from Latino, Black, AAPI, and LGBTQ communities express their own concerns and sentiments. Hate has become ubiquitous, weaponized against us all.

As we take a moment to reflect, our leaders must shift their focus away from triumph or defeat to collaboratively seeking a way forward. The divides we encounter, along with the narratives fueling them, may be competing and distressing, but they are very real to those who hold them dear.

For over three decades, I, along with many courageous partners, have confronted the challenges of hate and division. Our journey has seen both successes and setbacks, yet we have persistently pushed forward despite the external forces aligned against us.

To paraphrase wisdom from the Sayings of Our Fathers, a Rabbinical text: “It is not our duty to finish the work, but to continue along the path set by those who came before us, planting seeds of hope and dignity.”

Now is the time for action. We must reject the allure of self-satisfaction and the temptation to surrender to fear and hatred. Our only viable path is to evolve together strategically; anything less risks further entrenching conflict and division.

I stand ready to cross that bridge and invite others to join me in this crucial endeavor. Together, let us strive for unity, understanding, and a shared future for our city.

Rabbi Bob Kaplan
New York