Mijal Bitton

Mijal Bitton Dr. Mijal Bitton is a spiritual leader and scholar aspiring to make traditional Judaism relevant, accessible, and meaningful in today's complex world.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I’m reminded how much of American moral life has been shaped by the civil rights movement...
01/19/2026

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I’m reminded how much of American moral life has been shaped by the civil rights movement and by Dr. King’s insistence on dignity, coalition, and responsibility across difference. We are still living inside that unfinished project.

In that spirit, I’m honored to take part in an important conversation about the role of Black–Jewish alliance in the post–October 7 moment.

The event is sold out, but you can still join us virtually:

📍 92Y
🗓 Wednesday, Jan 21 | 7pm
🎤 Bridging the Divide: Forming a New Alliance Between the Black and Jewish Communities

The panel is organized and moderated by my friend Shamar Hill, a Black Ashkenazi writer and community leader, and features Van Jones, Janille Hill, Abigail Pogrebin, Ari’el Stachel, and me.

Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik taught that the story of the burning bush in this week’s Torah portion, Shemot, isn’t only ...
01/08/2026

Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik taught that the story of the burning bush in this week’s Torah portion, Shemot, isn’t only about Moses. It’s a revelation about what it means to be human.

To be human, he argued, is to be sent — shlichut. Not with a full map. Not with certainty. But placed in a specific moment, with specific gifts, because there is something only you can do.

Most of us never get a burning bush. The real question isn’t whether you have a mission. It’s whether you live your life as if you do.

I wrote more about shlichut, Exodus, MLK and what it means to act without certainty — and not alone — in my Substack, Committed. Link in bio.

Dara Horn’s Purim vs. hannukah antisemitism framework is critical for us as we continue our fight against antisemitism
12/22/2025

Dara Horn’s Purim vs. hannukah antisemitism framework is critical for us as we continue our fight against antisemitism

I’ve been so moved by the Jewish response to the Bondi tragedy.Watching Jews gather, light candles publicly, and refuse ...
12/17/2025

I’ve been so moved by the Jewish response to the Bondi tragedy.

Watching Jews gather, light candles publicly, and refuse to disappear—it didn’t feel obvious or automatic. It felt learned. It felt inherited.

I’m not Chabad. But this week I’ve kept thinking: thank God for the Rebbe. Thank God for Chabad.

The confidence many of us carry today—to respond to antisemitism with Jewish presence rather than retreat, to light candles after terror rather than hide—didn’t come out of nowhere. It was cultivated. Fought for. Taught. More than anyone else, by the Lubavitcher Rebbe and his shlichim.

I wrote on my Substack this week about how the Rebbe transformed Hanukkah—and why so many of us, whether we realize it or not, are living inside that legacy.

May we live inspired by the Rebbe’s Torah of Jewish pride—and by the memory of the fifteen Jews murdered at Bondi Beach, including Rabbi Eli Schlanger h’yd, the Chabad rabbi who helped bring Jews together there. May their memories be a blessing.

Today marks five years since the passing of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, z”l I can’t believe it’s been five years. I reme...
11/11/2025

Today marks five years since the passing of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, z”l

I can’t believe it’s been five years. I remember the night I learned of his passing as if it were yesterday — I felt crushed. He was at the height of his influence, doing so much for the Jewish people and for humanity. He was our spokesperson to the world, a rabbi of rabbis, an exemplar of what it means to be a proud Jew—confident in Judaism’s goodness and eager to build bridges with others.

I had the singular privilege of learning from him and from Lady Elaine (may she live and be well) during the years he served as a professor at . I attended his classes, met with them one-on-one, hosted them in our minyan, and even had them in my home. So much of my own path has been shaped by his personal encouragement and belief in my leadership.

When October 7th happened and so many of our current challenges emerged, I kept thinking how deeply we need him—his voice, his guidance, his wisdom, his hope. I still don’t understand why God took him before this great crisis. But I do know this: he left us with a legacy that calls each of us to ask, “What does this moment demand of me? How am I being invited to respond?”

He left us with so much—his essays, his books, his lectures, his vision of what Judaism could offer the world.

🕯️In his memory, I invite you to do one thing today:
• Learn one essay from Covenant and Conversation
• Read one of his books
• Watch a lecture or interview on YouTube
• Reach out to someone beyond our circle and build a bridge the way he would
• Stand proudly with the Jewish people and with Israel, inspired by his faith, courage, and love for our people

May the memory of Harav Yaakov Tzvi ben David Arieh, Rabbi Sacks z”l, continue to bless and inspire us all.

As a political centrist, I’ve been asked whether opposing Mamdani means I’m deepening polarization or demonizing his vot...
11/06/2025

As a political centrist, I’ve been asked whether opposing Mamdani means I’m deepening polarization or demonizing his voters. I don’t believe I am.

While I believe the activist core of Mamdani’s coalition is dangerous, I also know that many of his voters saw in him an optimistic answer to New York’s affordability crisis. They do not wish me or my family harm. And I know that many of the Jews who supported him genuinely don’t believe he will endanger our shared safety in this city.

I disagree vehemently with “Jews for Zohran” and with their diagnosis. I believe the DSA’s ideology is toxic — that it will make our city less safe and less livable for all with significant implications for Jews.

Still, I trust that most of the Jews who voted for Mamdani didn’t see themselves as voting against Jewish safety. I wish nothing more than to be wrong in my anxiety — may it prove unfounded. May Mamdani be a wonderful mayor who makes our city more affordable and more secure.

But if that hope proves misplaced — and especially if Zionist Jews are targeted — we will need you too. We’ll need you to hold your candidate accountable. To remember the bonds of Jewish peoplehood. To confront the ills festering in your coalition.

Maybe I’m naive, but I still hope we can talk. I wrote this letter as both a request and an open door.

We’re at a crossroads. The old ways of fighting won’t work anymore.Last night was a wake-up call.Our tradition gives us ...
11/05/2025

We’re at a crossroads. The old ways of fighting won’t work anymore.

Last night was a wake-up call.

Our tradition gives us everything we need to fight as a minority—for our safety, for our flourishing. As I write in my Substack, Abraham and Sarah were the first intentional minority in history. We can learn from them.

We can fight wisely. We can fight with faith.

Welcome to the resistance. ✊🇮🇱✡️ Link in bio.

Chin up. Last night was hard, and the road ahead won’t be easy. But we fought hard — and we prevented a Mamdani landslid...
11/05/2025

Chin up. Last night was hard, and the road ahead won’t be easy. But we fought hard — and we prevented a Mamdani landslide.

The most important thing now is not to give in to despair. We have work to do. Let’s organize. 💪

Huge gratitude to all the tireless community activists and organizers. I had the privilege of witnessing — and joining — an incredible group of Jewish Sephardic women, led by the unstoppable , who registered thousands of new voters through . You inspire me.

Am Israel Chai 💙

This week’s Torah portion, Shelach, is not about something that happened thousands of years ago-it’s about what we are f...
06/19/2025

This week’s Torah portion, Shelach, is not about something that happened thousands of years ago-it’s about what we are facing now. It’s about living through miracles and greatness and choosing how to respond. We learn we have a choice: shrink like grasshoppers or rise like lions.

Check out my for more.

Sending love, prayers, admiration and support to the people of Israel.

May it be a Shabbat shalom!

The enemies of the Jewish people are coming from different directions. That’s why it feels confusing.Islamists. The far ...
06/17/2025

The enemies of the Jewish people are coming from different directions. That’s why it feels confusing.

Islamists. The far left. The far right. They claim to hate different things — but they all meet in the same place.

Down with the Jews.

This isn’t random. It’s a convergence. And if we want to fight back, we need to see it clearly.

I know we’re a small people. But we are a nation of lions.

Eyes open. Spine straight. Let’s roar.

**Adapted from barristernola on X

This is what we need to focus on right now.While Israel faces threats from Iran, we—Jews in NYC—have our own battle here...
06/16/2025

This is what we need to focus on right now.
While Israel faces threats from Iran, we—Jews in NYC—have our own battle here at home.

This mayoral election isn’t just politics. It’s about safety. Belonging. Power.

Do we want a city where leaders question Israel’s right to exist? Where Zionist Jews feel unsafe?

This election will shape how we’re treated in the largest Jewish city outside Israel.

🗳️ Early voting is already open (June 14–22)
🗓️ Election Day is June 24

Don’t just watch from the sidelines. Show up. Bring your people.

Every single vote counts.

Text your friends. Knock on doors.

We cannot afford to sit this one out.

The stakes are enormous. The time is now.

A message from an Iranian, H. Ferdosy, to “Keffiyeh Karens”. h/t Joe Schwartz
06/16/2025

A message from an Iranian, H. Ferdosy, to “Keffiyeh Karens”. h/t Joe Schwartz

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