The owner of 1800-Eichler’s in Boro Park is distancing his store from several aspects of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s controversial visit this week, saying the Judaica retailer neither invited the mayor nor participated in distributing gifts to him.
Hirsch Meir Traube released a video Thursday night seeking to clarify what occurred during Mamdani’s Wednesday appearance at the 13th Avenue store, after footage of the visit generated widespread discussion and criticism on social media.
“We did not invite Mayor Mamdani,” Traube said. “None of our staff were involved in any of the gift giving. It was all from independent influencers.”
Traube also rejected suggestions that Eichler’s personnel were responsible for removing individuals from the premises during Mamdani’s appearance.
“We weren’t involved in kicking anyone out of the store,” he said.
The clarification followed the widespread circulation of videos showing Mamdani visiting the store as part of his outreach to the Jewish community ahead of Rosh Hashanah. During the stop, the mayor spoke with community figures and was introduced to various aspects of the upcoming Yom Tov.
Among those at the store during Mamdani’s visit were Boro Park Jewish Community Council CEO Avi Greenstein, Rav Yaakov Landau and Traube. Other members of the local community also greeted the mayor during his appearance.
Uri Fraenkel, the mayor’s director of special projects, blew the shofar during the event. Mamdani was also presented with honey in connection with the traditional Rosh Hashanah wish for a sweet new year.
Mamdani greeted those gathered at the store with a “Shana Tovah.”
The otherwise cordial appearance became contentious when Stephanie Benshimol, who identified herself as a Jewish advocate, confronted Mamdani inside the store over antisemitism.
“Stop the antisemitism! You have all the power to stop the antisemitism. I’m begging you to do it,” Benshimol shouted.
Benshimol also challenged Mamdani over his repeated focus on Israel, arguing that the mayor’s positions were helping fuel an atmosphere of hostility toward Jews.
Menachem Gindi, an employee of Eichler’s who witnessed the encounter, subsequently told CBS New York that the confrontation created an uncomfortable situation, although he said he believed Benshimol’s concerns had merit.
The controversy comes amid continued concern over antisemitism in New York City. According to NYPD figures, anti-Jewish hate crimes have risen 8% year-to-date compared with the same period last year, with incidents targeting Jews accounting for more than half of all reported hate crimes in the city.
Mamdani’s relationship with segments of the Jewish community has been strained by his positions and rhetoric concerning Israel. Among the remarks that have drawn criticism was his description of Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu as a “war criminal” in a video released in July.
The mayor has maintained that his criticism of Israel and its government should be distinguished from hostility toward Jews or Judaism.
“When we make criticisms of a nation-state or policies, we have to remember that those are criticisms of exactly that — never of a people, never of a faith,” Mamdani told CBS New York following an earlier discussion concerning antisemitism.
Wednesday’s stop in Boro Park was one element of Mamdani’s outreach to Jewish New Yorkers in advance of the Yomim Noraim. In August, he also participated in a private meeting with rabbonim focused on antisemitism and the growing number of anti-Jewish incidents.
The Mamdani administration has said it wants Jewish residents of New York City to be able to “live openly, proudly and safely.” City Hall has also pledged additional funding for efforts to prevent hate crimes and an expansion of the mayoral office devoted to combating antisemitism.
Meanwhile, the NYPD is increasing its preparations ahead of the Yomim Noraim. A citywide security briefing with Jewish communal leaders is scheduled for next week, while Brooklyn South police officials met with Jewish leaders on Monday to discuss security measures for the coming weeks.
Traube concluded his video by emphasizing his own and the store’s support for Israel.
“We do support Israel,” he said. “Am Yisroel Chai.”
The controversy has also created some confusion because two separate Judaica stores in Brooklyn operate under the Eichler’s name.
Mamdani visited 1800 Eichler’s, also known as 1-800 Eichler’s and previously known as The New Eichler’s, located at 5004 13th Avenue in Boro Park. The store is independently owned by Traube, who acquired the business around 2024.
Eichler’s of Flatbush, located at 1401 Coney Island Avenue, is a separate business. That store remains owned by the Eichler family and has been operating since 1977.
The two retailers are independently owned and operated, and Eichler’s of Flatbush was not involved in Mamdani’s Boro Park visit.
{Matzav.com}
