Good morning, New York. When our staff reporter Joseph Strauss told me he was interviewing Mark Levine, the Manhattan Borough President who will likely be the city’s next comptroller, I had the following sage wisdom to offer: “He’s a Beastie Boys fan, you know.”
Levine and I aren’t besties; I simply remembered his enthusiasm when he spoke at the unveiling of Beastie Boys Square on the Lower East Side two years ago. I had the sense that Levine’s Jewish identity, like mine, is intertwined with his love of the band.
“I was 16 when ‘Licensed to Ill’ came out — it was like a thunderbolt came down and struck me,” he told a packed crowd on Rivington Street that day. “Now, I know these guys didn’t advertise it, but trust me: Every Jewish kid in America, we knew they were Diamond and Yauch and Horowitz.”
Joe, ever the intrepid reporter, spoke with Levine about everything from his encounters with antisemitism to how the comptroller holds the mayor accountable — and yes, he asked about that Beastie Boys moment.
“I did speak about the fact that, though the Beastie Boys never spoke about it, every Jewish kid in America knew they were Jewish, man,” Levine told him. “So it was a big source of hope that maybe one day I could be cool. Hasn't quite happened yet, but I haven't given up hope.”
“We’ll check back in 2026,” Joe replied.
“Yeah, see how the cool factor is doing,” Levine quipped. “I don't think becoming a comptroller really improves your odds on that.”
For more on Levine — and another comptroller in the news — keep scrolling. |
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A Q&A with the Hebrew-speaking, synagogue-going Jewish politician virtually assured of winning in November. |
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Life’s not easy right now for so many of us, for so many reasons. Let’s embrace the teachings of our great sage, Grover — and for more Jewish wisdom on spiritual well-being in times of crisis, click here. |
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Shabbat shalom, y’all. Have a nice weekend.
— Lisa |
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