Vermont synagogue co-hosts fundraiser for Mohsen Mahdawi amid mounting scrutiny over extremist ties
The move triggered immediate pushback among some of the Beth Jacob synagogue's own membership.
Montpelier's Beth Jacob Synagogue collaborated with the local Unitarian Universalist Church to organize a fundraiser in support of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist. The event, held at the Unitarian Universalist Church, featured Mahdawi speaking about his legal situation, alongside experts such as constitutional lawyer David Cole and Harvard Divinity School Jewish studies professor Shaul Magid. The fundraiser aimed to raise money for Mahdawi's legal defense fund.
However, the event drew controversy within the community. Investigative journalists Rachel Feldman and David Collier had previously published reports in 2025 and 2026 that raised concerns about Mahdawi's background. These reports alleged that Mahdawi's claims of personal experiences, including the death of a friend during the Second Intifada, contained factual inconsistencies. They also found that Mahdawi and his family had promoted a program glorifying Palestinian terrorist organizations.
This controversy prompted pushback from some members of Beth Jacob Synagogue. When concerned congregants shared the investigative findings, synagogue leadership faced pressure to address the issues. Eric Jacobson, a synagogue member and scheduled speaker, dismissed the researchers' credentials and questioned their linguistic proficiency. Despite the controversy, the event proceeded as planned, with proceeds going directly to Mahdawi's legal defense fund.
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