I love and admire Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum. She recently retired as the leader of the nation’s largest LGBT synagogue. She looks 16, but she’s not. She is one of the wisest people I know. She is a fighter for justice and kindness. She is fearless.
You will enjoy this interview. And you will learn by listening.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Thoughtful interview from a rabbi that seeks to bring people together. Rabbi Kleinbaum understands that tolerance and compromise will be needed for Mamdani to succeed in New York politics. Extremism on all sides never works. She cites the success of a model school that serves both Israeli and Muslim children in Israel. It reminded me of what public schools aspire to do in this country where diverse students come together with respect for and acceptance of individual differences. Her understanding of the bigger picture mattered more than any concerns she may have had about Mamdani as a Muslim. I think a lot of New Yorkers tuned out the negative propaganda and voted for what they believe is best for the city.
I can recall all the hype and worry surrounding the election of JFK. Some were concerned he was a papist that would listen to Rome more than Washington, but the concerns were unfounded. It is always more difficult for trailblazers. They have an uphill battle against naysayers.
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Even as a boy of 5, I heard people at church in 1960 suggesting the Kennedy would bring the papacy into the White House. Projection, pure and simple. Protestants knew then that they had been top dog forever and had used their place to abuse Catholics.
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Roy,
In the 19th c, it was widely claimed that the Pope wanted to take control of America. The wave of Irish who fled to the U.S. was proof.
In the early 20th c, the Jews and Poles were the greatest danger.
Now the danger is Latinos and all nonwhite immigrants.
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STELLAR!
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