NYC-CC39: Jewish group endorses Councilmember Hanif for re-election, calling her 'principled and effective leader'

BOERUM HILL — MORE THAN 250 JEWISH CONSTITUENTS OF CITY COUNCILMEMBER SHAHANA HANIF HAVE SIGNED a public letter supporting her re-election. Hanif, who is the city’s first Muslim woman member of City Council, and a progressive, has faced multiple coordinated political attacks from Trump supporters and outside groups.

The Jewish coalition described Hanif as “a principled, effective leader in opposing Trump and Adams’ attacks on democracy” that has “won major legislation and budget improvements” on issues ranging from affordability and climate protections to immigration justice and combating hate, according to a press release issued on the endorsement. Hanif was first elected in 2021 to represent Council District 39, which spans several Brooklyn neighborhoods.

The signatories, which include clergy members, also emphasize that they’ve “seen first-hand how compassionate and open to learning she is, how clearly she understands that antisemitism and Islamophobia are inextricably intertwined, and how she consistently takes action to address all forms of hate violence and bigotry.” The letter itemizes several other issues on which she has shown leadership and accomplishment: affordability, climate and justice in immigration and language justice, among others.

“As Jews,” they write, “we’re proud to have elected NYC’s first Muslim woman to the City Council, and committed to continuing to work with her to make our city safe for all who live here.”



https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2025/06/12/jewish-group-endorses-councilmember-hanif-for-re-election-calling-her-principled-and-effective-leader/