New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s choice for antisemitism czar has some Orthodox Jews scratching their heads in confusion.
The new czar, 39-year-old Phylisa Wisdom, is herself a Jew — one who previously served as the executive director of the New York Jewish Agenda (NYJA), an organization that says online that it’s made up of “liberal and progressive Zionists.”
This is a problem because NYJA doesn’t care much for Orthodox Jews. Indeed, Forward magazine notes that the group previously criticized former NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ Jewish advisory council for having too many members who were Orthodox Jewish and/or men.
The overwhelming majority of antisemitic attacks targets Orthodox Jews. Phylisa Wisdom’ mission has been portraying orthodox Jewry in a negative light. She’s not part of the solution. She’s part of the problem. https://t.co/cNOJFzvY7i
— David Shor (@DYShor) February 4, 2026
In addition, NYJA is very critical of the Israeli government.
“We believe that legitimate criticism of policies of the government of Israel is not inherently antisemitic, and those who weaponize it only undermine our efforts and put us in harm’s way,” Wisdom wrote in an op-ed last summer in defense of the group.
According to Forward, Wisdom also aligns perfectly on politics with Mamdami, a far-leftist and alleged antisemite.
“Wisdom, 39, has aligned herself with some of the positions Mamdani has taken on countering antisemitism, including opposition to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, which considers most forms of anti-Zionism as antisemitic,” the magazine notes.
“While leading a Zionist organization, Wisdom has also called for more sympathy toward Palestinians, and in November 2023, Wisdom’s group, under her leadership, spearheaded a statement by liberal Jewish elected officials calling for a bilateral ceasefire in Gaza.”
Critics have alleged that she cares more about Palestinians than about her own Jewish people.
Zohran Mamdani appoints a self-hating anti-Zionist Jew Phylisa Wisdom to run NYC’s antisemitism task force.
It’s like hiring a Kapo to operate the gas chambers. pic.twitter.com/b1vmflXsK4
— The Persian Jewess (@persianjewess) February 5, 2026
Wisdom also previously worked for Yaffed, a pro-secular group that pushes for more secular education in yeshivas. Yeshivas are basically Orthodox Jewish colleges.
Brooklyn Councilman Simcha Felder, a Jewish man, explained to the New York Post that Yaffed “slanders yeshivas and has done irrevocable harm to the Jewish education system.”
With this in mind, he referred to Wisdom’s appointment as a “shanda,” which means disgrace, and called for it to be withdrawn.
Moshe Davis, who served as Adams’ antisemitism czar, also raised concerns about Wisdom’s appointment.
“I wish Phylisa well and genuinely hope she succeeds in making New York City safer for a Jewish community that is understandably on edge,” he said in a statement. “That said, I am concerned about this appointment. The Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism was built to be operational, not symbolic.”
MOCA’s outgoing director Moshe Davis says he’s “concerned” about the appointment.
The office “was built to be operational, not symbolic. It requires government experience, strong agency relationships, and trust across the Jewish community to function effectively from day one.” https://t.co/3C5sIadgf7 pic.twitter.com/hFXNOhmcan
— Jacob N. Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) February 5, 2026
Mamdani announced Wisdom’s appointment on Wednesday.
“Phylisa is a respected leader and powerful voice in the fight against antisemitism in New York City, Albany and across the country,” he said in a statement.
“Day in and day out, across all five boroughs, we will work together to root out antisemitism and build a New York City where Jewish New Yorkers are safe, respected, and free,” he added.
Wisdom responded with a statement of her own.
“New York City has long been a beacon of hope for the Jewish community,” she said. “We will continue to ensure that Jewish safety and belonging remains at the core of this administration’s vision for a more livable city.”
“In a time of rising hatred and fear, I look forward to embracing this solemn responsibility—both to represent the diverse array of Jewish voices to City Hall in this critical moment, and to demonstrate the power of pluralistic democracy in the greatest city in the world,” she added.
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V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
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