El-Sayed's Victory Fractures Michigan Jewish Community Over Israel Stance

Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan’s US Senate race has exposed a deep rift within the state’s Jewish community, pitting left-leaning activists against established pro-Israel institutions. The divide became visible on election night as two distinct groups reacted to the final tally.

Supporters of the new senator celebrated at the Michigan Democratic Party’s watch party. A group identifying as Jews For Abdul cheered El-Sayed’s win. Eli Newell, Midwest field organizer for the left-wing Jewish group IfNotNow, stated that the election represented their agenda of shared safety and justice. IfNotNow mobilized volunteers from out of state, including Newell from Chicago, to canvass in Jewish neighborhoods.

Established pro-Israel leaders had organized against El-Sayed during the campaign. They cited his sharp criticism of Israel, his initial response to the attack on Temple Israel, and his ties to streamer Hasan Piker. Rabbi Asher Lopatin, community relations director at the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor, took a leave from his job to campaign for Republican nominee Mike Rogers. Lopatin appeared at a Republican Jewish Coalition event for Rogers in the final week of the race.

Lopatin said he would work with the new senator despite the opposition. "I'm not taking anything back. But I think we have to work with what we have," Lopatin said the day after the election. He emphasized the need to build relationships with El-Sayed and his supporters.

Decky Alexander, chair of the Michigan Jewish Democratic Caucus, noted that her caucus never endorsed El-Sayed. Some leaders openly backed Rogers while progressive Jews formed Michigan Jews for Democracy to support the Democrat. Alexander said the caucus must now be inclusive. She named Michigan Jews for Democracy and Bend the Arc as partners she wants at the table. El-Sayed’s campaign pointed to an analysis by the progressive PAC Millions of Michiganians, arguing he virtually matched Elissa Slotkin’s 2024 Jewish vote, losing only 1.3% across 72 heavily Jewish precincts.

Visible signs of the split appeared in a Detroit suburb. Residents repurposed yard signs for Haley Stevens, who endorsed Rogers in the final days. Some signs bore handwritten messages to Stevens. More than 560 Michigan Jews signed a petition titled "Michigan Jews Against Extremism" pledging to vote for Rogers. Signatories included the president of Detroit's Jewish federation and the head of the local Holocaust center.

Troy Zukowski-Serlin, a representative of that letter, acknowledged the wording may have been too strong. He noted the Rogers campaign faced its own accusations of extremism. Zukowski-Serlin said his daughter voted for El-Sayed and that they can find common ground.

Other institutions issued mixed statements. Michigan's Anti-Defamation League chapter cited serious concerns over El-Sayed's history of minimizing Jewish fears. Detroit's American Jewish Committee chapter recognized the historic nature of the first Muslim senator but said the moment was tarnished by alienating rhetoric. Detroit's Jewish federation congratulated all winners without naming El-Sayed. Gary Torgow, chair of the Jewish Federations of North America, called for the community to move forward with optimism. Lopatin stated, "I think the election divided the Jewish community. I'm excited to get back to uniting them."