At a time when New York’s Jewish community is navigating rising antisemitism and an increasingly polarized political landscape, Jessica Tisch and Julie Menin occupy two of the city’s most powerful positions: one overseeing its police force, the other its City Council.
Jessica Tisch
Tisch, the New York Police Department commissioner, and Menin, the first Jewish speaker of the New York City Council, are both prominent Jewish figures in a city with one of the largest Jewish populations outside Israel. Their influence has become particularly significant as concerns over Jewish safety have moved to the center of New York’s political debate.
Tisch became the second woman to lead the NYPD in November 2024. Protecting Jewish New Yorkers has been a visible feature of her tenure. The NYPD has mounted extensive security operations around major Jewish events, including the annual Israel Day Parade, while Tisch has repeatedly spoken publicly about the threat posed by antisemitism.
A longtime member of Manhattan’s Central Synagogue, Tisch addressed the congregation following an August attack during a Shabbat service, describing herself as a “proud Jew” with a “deeply personal” commitment to keeping her community safe. Earlier this year, she installed a mezuzah on her office at NYPD headquarters, calling it a symbol of “faith and resilience.”
Julie Menin
Menin, meanwhile, made history in January when she was unanimously elected the first Jewish speaker of the City Council. A veteran of New York government and a centrist Democrat, she has emerged as an important Jewish voice in the city’s new political landscape, particularly following the election of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Menin’s own Jewish history has shaped her politics. Her mother and grandmother survived the Holocaust in Budapest, while her grandfather was murdered. She has on many occasions emphasized the importance of confronting antisemitism and preserving Holocaust memory, while seeking to maintain political dialogue across an increasingly divided New York.
Together, Tisch and Menin represent two very different forms of Jewish power in New York: one through law enforcement and public safety, the other through political leadership. At a moment when Jewish New Yorkers are asking whether they can continue to live openly and confidently in the city, both have become increasingly important figures in answering that question.