Get RNS’ thoughtful, essential religion reporting every morning. Sign up for free!

NEW YORK (RNS) — This summer, a wave of Congressional primary victories from New York progressives running on platforms sharply critical of Israel — once unthinkable for Democratic hopefuls — stunned political observers and raised questions about a broader shift in the party.

Among the winners was Brad Lander, perhaps Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s most prominent Jewish ally and, as city comptroller, once New York City’s highest-ranking Jewish elected official. After a bitter primary race, in one of the country’s most Jewish congressional districts, Lander defeated Rep. Daniel Goldman, who is also Jewish and was endorsed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. And on Tuesday (Nov. 3), Lander easily beat his Republican candidate, Jennifer E.…