Brad Lander says hes so Jewish he almost became a rabbi and rips Andrew Cuomo using antisemitism as a political game

Mayoral candidate Brad Lander said he’s so Jewish “that I almost became a rabbi” while discussing his faith and the fight against antisemitism Wednesday night.Lander, the city comptroller, also took swipes at a chief rival for Democratic nomination, Andrew Cuomo, claiming the ex-governor discriminated against Jews and has weaponized antisemitism for personal gain.“Donald Trump and Andrew Cuomo are welcome to disagree with my positions.But they don’t get to decide who’s a good Jew,” Lander said during his speech at the West Side Institutional Synagogue.Lander, who described himself as a “liberal Zionist,” said he has been steeped in Judaism since childhood.“You may be surprised to learn it, but growing up, I almost became a rabbi,” the St.

Louis native said.He was the national social action vice president of the Reform Jewish Youth Movement and a member of the Hillel chapter when he attended the University of Chicago.Lander was also a Hebrew School teacher, a “so-so songleader” and a “pretty good canoe instructor” at Jewish summer camp.In addition, he organized youths for a 1987 rally in Washington, DC, to free Soviet Jews as well as efforts to fight Republican cuts to social programs.“I was taught to stand up both for Jews and for all people who are facing oppression — to work to build a more equal and inclusive society grounded in the Jewish value of b’tzelem elohim, that idea that everyone is created in the image of God,” he explained.He named his kids after Jewish heroes.His son, Marek, after Warsaw Ghetto uprising leader Marek Edelman, and his daughter, Rosa, after workers rights advocate Rose Schneiderman.Lander also showed sharp elbows, rapping Cuomo, in particular, over his actions against Jews or unfairly smearing people as antisemites.

Polls show the ex-governor is the front-runner in the Democratic primary for mayor.“Andrew Cuomo, who has been sued for antisemitic discrimination and caught using anti-Jewish slurs,...