Mamdani to appoint Phylisa Wisdom head of NYC Office to Combat Antisemitism

Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News on Feb 4, 2026

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NEW YORK — Zohran Mamdani has chosen Phylisa Wisdom to lead his Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, sources familiar with the matter told the Daily News.

Wisdom, who currently leads the New York Jewish Agenda, a progressive Zionist organization that criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, will replace Adams appointee Moshe Davis in the role.

The office was created by ex-Mayor Eric Adams in May 2025, and was seen as one of many potential landmines for Mamdani as he navigates a difficult relationship with pro-Israel New Yorkers.

The new mayor, who has come under intense criticism for his pro-Palestine stance, committed to keeping the office when he started his term. Wisdom’s pending appointment was first reported by The Forward.

Antisemitism and hate crimes against Jews have been a persistent problem in the five boroughs, where antisemitic incidents account for 57% of all hate crimes reported in 2025, according to the Police Department, despite Jewish New Yorkers representing about 10% of the city’s population.

A spokesperson for Mamdani did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reached by text message, Wisdom did not comment. Davis also did not respond to a request for comment.

“I’ve proudly sat on Phylisa’s board at (the New York Jewish Agenda),” Amy Spitalnick, the CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, said on social media. “Her Jewish values, tireless commitment to justice, and strong relationships and credibility across the community are precisely what we need in this role. Jewish safety is inextricable from everyone’s safety and our democracy.”

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