El-Sayed visits Jewish Michiganders for Rosh Hashanah meal after accusations of antisemitism

Jerusalem Post/Diaspora"We talked about the work we can do together to build a more just and peaceful future for our communities here in Michigan," El-Sayed wrote in the post, adding "Shana tova and shavua tov!"Follow us on GoogleDemocratic candidate for US Senate Abdul El-Sayed poses with union members from UAW Local 51 during the Labor Day Parade in Detroit, Michigan, US, September 7, 2026.(photo credit: REUTERS/REBECCA COOK)SEPTEMBER 20, 2026 11:07Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Dr. Abdul El-Sayed visited a Jewish home for Rosh Hashanah last week in the wake of widespread controversy surrounding his stance on Israel and allegations of antisemitism made against him.In a video posted on X/Twitter on Sunday, El-Sayed is seen visiting Elaine and Missy, a Jewish mother and daughter who are "lifelong Michiganders.""We talked about the work we can do together to build a more just and peaceful future for our communities here in Michigan," El-Sayed wrote in the post, adding "Shana tova and shavua tov!"The video shows no discussion of El-Sayed's position on Israel or controversial past statements he has made. Instead, the conversation focuses mainly on the food.El-Sayed complimented Elaine's kugel, based on her grandmother's recipe, saying that it was "just sweet but not overpoweringly sweet."Abdul El-Sayed, Michigan Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, addresses the state’s Jewish Democratic caucus in Birmingham, Mich., on Aug. 30, 2026. (credit: ANDREW LAPIN/JTA)Elaine also recited the blessing over fruit as the group dipped apples into honey, as per the Rosh Hashanah tradition.Toward the end of the video, Missy told El-Sayed that she likes "all the things that you stand for, especially the healthcare part."El-Sayed meets with rabbis in an effort to repair relations with Jewish votersEl-Sayed has sought to mend relations with Jewish voters in the state in recent months, though his opposition to a two-state solution in Israel, along with past controversies involving anti-Israel streamer Hasan Piker and his response to the attack on the Detroit-area Temple Israel, have rendered his candidacy polarizing to the community.Recently, El-Sayed held an unpublicized meeting with rabbis at Temple Israel, weeks after apologizing for his earlier remarks in which he appeared to equivocate about condemning the March attack, according to a report in Jewish Insider.More than 600 Michigan Jews have also signed an open letter pledging to vote for El-Sayed for the US Senate, seeking to grow the Democratic candidate’s rocky Jewish support in what is expected to be a close and pivotal election.Andrew Lapin contributed to this report.Follow us on Google