An 86-year-old Holocaust survivor, Sami Steigmann, recently voiced his disappointment after New York City’s progressive Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, failed to attend a planned meeting intended to address the critical challenges related to his current housing situation.
Steigmann, originally from Romania, endured unspeakable hardships early in life. At merely two years old, he was deported to a Nazi labor camp where he became a subject of cruel medical experiments for at least three years.
After surviving World War II, his life’s journey took him to Israel, where he served in the Israeli Air Force. His pursuit of a better life then brought him to the United States in 1968, and since 1988, he has made New York City his home.
Steigmann now faces a new battle as the cost of living in New York has forced him to leave his Harlem apartment. He is actively searching for secure housing amidst the city’s rising rents.
At the start of the year, he managed to secure a meeting with the Mayor, whose platform notably includes a focus on affordable housing solutions. Unfortunately, the meeting did not occur as planned, leaving Steigmann anxious about his future domestic stability.
Steigmann has now revealed that Mamdani bailed on the meeting.
‘Promises made, not kept. His claim to fame was affordable housing. I’m not disappointed because I didn’t expect him to keep his word. It is what it is,’ Steigmann told Fox News.
‘It would have been nice, but you know politicians,’ he said, adding that he was no longer interested in the meeting.
Steigmann said he is struggling to find an apartment that is safe for his medical condition and accessible to public transportation.
Holocaust survivor and IDF veteran Sami Steigmann said he is struggling to find affordable and safe housing in New York City
Steigmann said he scheduled a meeting with Mayor Zohran Mamdani to discuss his options, but the mayor bailed
‘I was subjected to medical experiments, so I’m in pain every single second, but I learned to live with it. Now, because of my age, 86, I have difficulty walking and climbing stairs,’ he said.
Steigmann, who lives on a fixed income of $1,649 per month, added that moving into a nursing home would be his last resort.
‘New York is the most expensive city in the country, especially for independent living,’ Steigmann said.
‘If I’m going to a nursing home, which I may have to go to if I cannot find something, basically, it’s the way to die because there is no life there.’
‘It’s not for me. I’m still active. I don’t need assisted living in the sense that I can take a bath by myself. I can still do a lot of things,’ Steigmann said.
The Daily Mail contacted Mamdani’s office for comment. A spokesperson for the mayor told Fox News that he is supporting Steigmann.
‘[Mamdani is] working hard to help Sami find an appropriate new housing situation, and has connected with several community organizations and housing providers over the past several months to help him with it,’ the spokesperson said.
The Chicago Jewish Alliance launched an initiative called Project Ahava to help raise funds for Steigmann.
Steigmann was recently denied a speaking opportunity at a Brooklyn middle school that featured art by Mamdani’s wife in a social change class
However, the school did use art from Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, who is known for her political artwork and pro-Palestinian views, in a social change class
The Math & Science Exploratory School Public School 447 in Brooklyn displayed art from Duwaji in an activity for students
The group identified that Steigmann is racing a $2,200 monthly shortfall, and aims to raise $132,000 to help cover his expenses for five years.
The initiative comes after Steigmann was denied a speaking opportunity at a Brooklyn middle school that featured art by Mamdani’s wife in a social change class.
The Math & Science Exploratory School Public School 447 in Brooklyn displayed art from First Lady Rama Duwaji, who is known for her political artwork and pro-Palestinian views.
One of her drawings used by the school shows three women surrounded by flames with the inscription, ‘Sooner or later people will rise against tyranny.’
Another illustration shows three women locking arms, accompanied by a caption that reads, ‘They carry the pulse of protest.’ A third image shows a woman crouched and appearing to cry, which Duwaji refers to as a ‘stillness of displacement.’
Months earlier, a parent had asked Principal Arin Rusch to bring Steigmann in for a speaking event, a request that was met with hesitation.
Rusch said she believed Holocaust survivors offered important lessons to students, but expressed concern about inviting Steigmann, adding that she would ‘love to explore other speakers,’ CBS News reported at the time.
In looking at his website materials, I also don’t think that Sami’s presentation is right for our public school setting, given his messages around Israel and Palestine. I’d love to explore other possible speakers,’ Rusch added at the time.
The denial prompted a wave of criticism, with former Mayor Eric Adams among those who condemned the decision.
Steigmann did eventually speak at the school following the backlash. He met Rusch after his speech and said their conversation was cordial.