Rabbi Mark N. Wildes

Rabbi Mark N. Wildes Rabbi Mark N. Wildes is the Founder of the Manhattan Jewish Experience (MJE). Founded in 1998

06/01/2026

After October 7th, the world expected Jews to retreat. To stay quiet. To hide.

Instead, I watched a generation stand taller.

At MJE, we believe the answer to antisemitism is not fear. It’s stronger Jewish identity. It’s knowledge. It’s community. It’s proud Jews who know exactly who they are and why being Jewish is worth defending.

That’s what this video is about.
And that’s what MJE is building every single day.

‏עם ישראל חי 🇮🇱

Today felt different.With so much antisemitism in the air, and Mamdani choosing not to attend the Israel Day Parade, the...
05/31/2026

Today felt different.

With so much antisemitism in the air, and Mamdani choosing not to attend the Israel Day Parade, there could have been a heaviness hanging over the streets of Manhattan.

Instead, there was something else: Joy. Pride. Strength.

Thousands of Jews openly singing “Am Yisrael Chai” proudly through the streets of New York City — the very streets where so many ugly incidents have taken place this past year.

It felt healing as I looked around today and saw families, students, children on shoulders waving Israeli flags and dancing together.

I kept thinking: this is the Jewish response. Not hiding. Not shrinking. But showing up with even more love for who we are and for each other.

The energy today was deeply personal. A reminder that no matter how loud the hate becomes, the Jewish spirit is louder.

Am Yisrael Chai. 🇮🇱

There was a time when supporting Israel in New York wasn’t political. It was part of standing with one of the largest Je...
05/29/2026

There was a time when supporting Israel in New York wasn’t political. It was part of standing with one of the largest Jewish communities in the world. For decades, mayors of New York — Democrats and Republicans alike — marched in the Israel Day Parade. Not because they agreed with every Israeli policy, but because they understood what the day represents to so many Jews in this city: pride, solidarity, and respect for the only democracy in the Middle East.

That’s why Mamdani’s decision not to march marks a significant change in New York’s history and that’s why our response can’t just be frustration. It must be presence.

This Sunday, more of us need to show up. More families. More students. More young Jews proud of who they are and proud of Israel.

At a time when our mayor chooses distance, we must choose closeness.

Join us at the parade with MJE. Let’s show our love for Israel as we march with pride and with strength for Am Yisrael. 🇮🇱

RSVP link to attend and get your free t-shirt in bio.

Last night, close to 400 people came out for MJE’s 27th Annual Dinner!!What moved me most wasn’t only the turnout, but s...
05/28/2026

Last night, close to 400 people came out for MJE’s 27th Annual Dinner!!

What moved me most wasn’t only the turnout, but seeing MJEers from so many different years and stages of life come back to support a place that helped shape their Jewish journey.

It was so incredible hosting and hearing voices like Erin Molan, James Maslow, Emily Austin, Bruce Pearl, and Sid Rosenberg speak so openly and proudly on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people. Everyone brought something real to the evening.

As I shared in my opening remarks, the Jewish response to hatred has never only been about defending ourselves. It’s about building proud, educated Jews who are deeply connected to their people, their heritage, and their future.

That’s what MJE does. And please God, with His help and your continued love and support we’ll continue doing it for many years to come!!

05/28/2026

Many think the Jewish response to antisemitism is security, statements, politics, survival. But the real Jewish response has always been something much deeper: Jews becoming more Jewish. ✡️

That’s what MJE is about. In the middle of a world pulling young Jews away from their identity, we’re watching thousands choose Torah, Shabbat, community, Israel, and Jewish life with pride and conviction. That is a living response to antisemitism.

Not just survival. Renewal. ✨

Stay tuned for more photos and videos from last night’s 27th Annual MJE Dinner.

There’s something almost surreal about New York right now. 🏀I’m not the world’s biggest sports fan. But even I can’t den...
05/26/2026

There’s something almost surreal about New York right now. 🏀

I’m not the world’s biggest sports fan. But even I can’t deny the energy pulsing through the city as the Knicks head back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. For a brief moment, people from completely different backgrounds — and probably very different worldviews — suddenly find themselves high-fiving each on the street.

And maybe the most striking example came just two weeks ago in the middle of the anti-Israel protests in Midwood. In the midst of all the tension between pro-Israel and “pro-Palestinian” demonstrators, someone started a Knicks chant. And for a brief moment, the atmosphere shifted. People who seconds earlier were locked into slogans and confrontation were chanting together… even hugging. (Video is in my story.)

To be clear: a shared love for the Knicks doesn’t erase the very real hatred, moral confusion, or antisemitism that has fueled so much of what we’ve seen on the streets these past months. We should never romanticize that.

But the video stayed with me because for one brief moment, it was a  striking reminder that beneath all the slogans and rage, we are all human beings created in the image of God.

Chazal speak about the beauty of יפת dwelling in the tents of שם — the idea that there is something elevating in beauty, culture, and the human spirit when it’s directed toward something deeper. Sports at their best can sometimes do that. They remind us that beneath the anger, politics, and slogans are human beings who still long to belong to something larger than themselves.

No, basketball won’t solve the world’s problems. But in a time when so much is pulling people apart, maybe we shouldn’t dismiss the simple things that still remind us we belong to the same human family.

So yes… let’s go Knicks.

But more importantly, let’s try to build a world where moments of shared humanity don’t only happen because of basketball. As Jews, no matter how difficult things become, we never stop believing that kind of peace is possible.

05/25/2026

The NYPD has been incredible, and they deserve our gratitude. But when political leaders like Zohran Mamdani normalize extremist rhetoric against Israel and refuse to clearly condemn the intimidation of Jews, it becomes harder for law enforcement to do its job and easier for chaos to spread.

These are not peaceful protests. When people surround synagogues, wave swastikas, dress as terrorists, and try to frighten Jews from attending synagogue on Shabbat, that is intimidation — plain and simple. Every American, Jewish or not, should be alarmed by what’s happening in our cities right now.

05/24/2026

✡️ With all of our success spanning thousands of years, we should never become arrogant. The Torah’s definition of greatness is humility. Moshe Rabbeinu, the greatest Jew who ever lived, was also the humblest.

But humility is not self-hatred, and it’s not shame. The Jewish people have brought unbelievable light, morality, wisdom, innovation, charity, and blessing into this world, and we should never allow antisemitism to distort how we see ourselves.

🚨That’s why, on May 27th at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, MJE will honor proud Jews who are using their platforms with courage, dignity, and responsibility to stand up for our people and for Israel. It’s going to be a powerful night of Jewish pride, unity, and purpose.

Don’t miss the Jewish event of the year, this Wednesday night!

Links to tickets in bio.

Thank you to for the wonderful video. Give them a follow.

Proud of the beautiful family my brother Mayor Michael Wildes, Esq. and Amy have built!
05/21/2026

Proud of the beautiful family my brother Mayor Michael Wildes, Esq. and Amy have built!

05/21/2026

We will be eating dairy on Shavuot because when the Jewish people first received the Torah, they didn’t understand the galactic complexities of eating meat. So they started simple — a little dairy, one small step into Jewish life.

That’s the story of so many young Jews walking into MJE right now, especially since October 7th. On May 27th at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, we’ll celebrate the sacred work of helping Jews reconnect to their identity, their people, and their future.

There’s never been a more important time to be part of that mission. We’ll see you there for the Jewish event of the year.

🎫 Link to tickets in bio.

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Website

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