Bill Boyarsky

Will recession fuel a return to public schools?

Published on December 23, 2008

Throughout the Los Angeles Unified School District, the recession is prompting middle-class parents to take a look at public middle and high schools they have long disdained.

Waxman will play key role in putting Obama agenda into action

Published on November 26, 2008

As chair of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, Waxman is poised to play a leading role in putting the Obama agenda into law, particularly in health care and in pushing the auto industry into manufacturing energy-efficient and minimally polluting cars.

Proposed USC-Dubai journalism school concerns faculty and community

Published on October 29, 2008

Faculty members at the USC Annenberg School for Communications are deep into a controversy that should be of interest to the Jewish community.
It concerns a proposal from USC for a $3 million contract for Annenberg to work with the American University in Dubai to create a journalism and communications school in the Middle Eastern nation.

Ed Guthman leaves legacy of fighting injustice

Published on September 24, 2008

When Ed Guthman died Aug. 30 at the age of 89, the Los Angeles Jewish community lost one of its most distinguished members

No ‘pushovers’ on Zukin’s Ethics Commission

Published on August 27, 2008

Zukin is particularly interested in an important issue that places the ethics commission at odds with the city council -- the future of the neighborhood councils

Don’t underestimate the power of the Jewish newspaper

Published on July 23, 2008

Sophisticated Los Angeles Jews don't have to turn to a Jewish newspaper for political advice or for guidance through the pitfalls of American society.

Bill Boyarsky: Calculating the value of Villaraigosa’s trip

Published on June 26, 2008

One criticism of Villaraigosa's predecessor, Jim Hahn, was that he didn't understand the importance of symbolism, that he was too desk bound, too reluctant to make the grand gestures important in a sprawling city of many diverse communities.

A doctor’s visit

Published on May 29, 2008

A visit with Dr. Eugene Gettelman, who celebrates his 100th birthday on June 17, shows how much medicine has gained and lost in the last half century

City Voice: Yaroslavsky takes on developers in push for affordable housing

Published on April 24, 2008

In defending middle-class neighborhoods, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky is taking on an issue that reaches to the heart of Los Angeles' ethnic, political and class divide

City Voice: The perfect combination

Published on March 27, 2008

An evening at Shomrei Torah Synagogue got me thinking about Barack Obama and how much the San Fernando Valley has changed since I first roamed there in 1970.

It's an odd combination of thoughts, I know. Or, perhaps not. The more I thought about it, the combination made perfect sense to me.

City Voice: Keep education in the spotlight

Published on February 28, 2008

I write about education a lot because it's important for the Jewish community to have a strong public school system. Education is part of the Jewish culture. Many Jews can't afford private schools, and their kids deserve an education good enough to send them to college. Moreover, strong public schools are good for everybody, Jews and non-Jews.

What makes a good politico?

Published on January 24, 2008

What makes a good politician? What makes a good Jewish politician? Zev Yaroslavsky, Henry Waxman and Laura Chick each, in his or her own way, illustrates how the values of Jewish life can be carried over into the secular obligations of public affairs. They have set an example for a new generation that will make sure our community is deeply involved in Los Angeles civic life.

Middle schools are a tough sell

Published on December 27, 2007

The meeting at Daniel Webster Middle School, in the heart of the Westside, embodied all the difficulties of convincing parents that their children will be safe when they leave the cocoon of the public elementary school for the unknown world of middle school.

The downside of upscale growth

Published on October 25, 2007

I've been following the Los Angeles housing story for a few months because of its special relevance to the Jewish community.

City Voice: Condo conversions cause casualties

Published on August 30, 2007

In Jewish communities in Los Angeles, tenants are uneasily contemplating a fate increasingly familiar to renters - the conversion of their building to condominiums.

City Voice: The Mayor is cheating ... on L.A.

Published on July 26, 2007

Breaking the commandment against adultery shouldn't disqualify you for public office. Still, I don't think the adulterer should expect cheers from the Jewish community. This is especially true when the official is Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who has made his family and his life story a big part of his persona.

‘Reboot’-ing Gen Y

Published on June 21, 2007

She was absolutely right. Movements don't start with specifics or 10-point plans. They start with people meeting up and talking. Ideas are generated, plans are made and one day, action is taken. It's a slow process. This is where Reboot is now. Perhaps from this generation -- prompted by leaders like Levin -- an articulate minority will emerge and point the Jewish community in a fresh direction, just as Heschel and Herzl did many years ago.

Presidential hopefuls scrutinized on Israel

Published on May 24, 2007

The Democratic presidential candidates' attitude toward Israel is undergoing the same sort of word-by-word examination that was such an important feature of the 2004 campaign.

City Voice: Will condo threat inspire unity among seniors?

Published on April 26, 2007

More than 25 years ago, Los Angeles' senior Jewish renters joined with young progressives and persuaded a reluctant city government to adopt rent control.

Sam Zell is one tough Jew

Published on April 12, 2007

Happily for them, most of the old-time Los Angeles anti-Semites who used to hang out at the downtown California Club are either dead or too old to care that a Jew is on the verge of owning the L.A. Times.

City Voice: We’re not who we think we are

Published on March 8, 2007

There is a preconceived notion about the Los Angeles Jewish community being affluent, increasingly conservative and preoccupied with Israel to the exclusion of other issues.

The Times, it is a-changin’

Published on February 1, 2007

Times are changing, and the Times, with circulation and advertising dropping, can no longer afford to be so high and mighty. At long last, the paper is going to juice up its Web site, and community input like your synagogue discussion meeting and your opinions and activities may be a big part of it.

Need for good schools should unite Jews and Latinos

Published on January 4, 2007

In contrast to the 1960s, when the fabled and overblown black-Jewish alliance was obsessively chronicled and debated by Jewish academics, journalists, essayists and community leaders, the rise of the Latino population has not seemed to capture much Jewish interest, either pro or con. That is especially true now, when so many activist Jews are focused only on Israel.

City Voice: L.A. Times faces tough job

Published on November 16, 2006

One day at lunch with a group of reporters and editors, Dave Laventhol, then the publisher of the Los Angeles Times, was musing that journalists had become elitist,
separated from their communities, maybe even too educated.

Radical right resents judges and juries

Published on November 2, 2006

These days no judge is safe from the assault of the religious right, anti-government crusaders and law and order zealots.

L.A. Times in turmoil: is it good for the Jews?

Published on October 12, 2006

Because of their intense activism, Jews have been among the paper's most devoted readers and fiercest critics. A substantial part of the paper's circulation base has long been in the broad Jewish belt extending from the Westside through the West Valley.

Mayor’s plan for schools gets ‘E’ for effort

Published on September 21, 2006

Decades of Latino battles to save the schools -- not just for Hispanics, but for everybody.

Needed: Rational Discussion

Published on August 17, 2006

I've spoken to many groups all over Los Angeles during extremely volatile times. I've never seen such rudeness, narrow mindedness and just plain boorishness.

Think American, Not Mexican on Antonio

Published on April 7, 2005

As Antonio Villaraigosa campaigns for mayor in the Jewish community, he will face the same big question asked by all non-Latino voters: Are you too Mexican?

The question is especially important to Jews, because our community's long-time relationship with Latino and African American Los Angeles has been a powerful force in the city's history.

Temple in the Desert

Published on March 10, 2005

The sanctuary of Congregation Beth Knesset Bamidbar in Lancaster evokes the mood of the Mojave Desert, which reaches far to the north, west and south of the small synagogue.

Window to the Future

Published on February 10, 2005

It's easy to be a Jew on the Westside or in the West Valley. The nonobservant or even the alienated can be part of the Jewish ambience, especially in places like Pico-Robertson or parts of Ventura Boulevard.

It's different in the Southland's far suburbs. Elections aren't swung by the Jewish vote nor are hotel banquet rooms full of Jewish political contributors. There is a scarcity of Jewish religious, educational and cultural institutions and even delis.

Taking Note of 2004

Published on January 6, 2005

Last week, I pulled out a big, unsorted folder from my desk filled with material I had used for my Jewish Journal columns.

Tough Job

Published on December 9, 2004

The faint of heart should not apply for this job: Needed, a sensitive but thick-skinned person who can get along with a combative mixture

of Los Angeles' Jews, blacks, whites, Asians, Latinos, Catholics, Baptists, Muslims, students, retired people, lawyers, doctors, homeless and many, many more.

Patriot Paranoia?

Published on November 4, 2004

By chance, Bet Tzedek Legal Services sponsored a program on the American Patriot Act just about the same time readers were beginning to get their copies of Philip Roth's "The Plot Against America."

Look Beyond Israel

Published on September 30, 2004

As election day gets closer, I'm beginning to wonder how many of us will vote on a single issue-our perception of how President Bush and Sen. John Kerry will stand up for Israel.

Kerry Needs Clarity

Published on September 9, 2004

The "swift boat " attack on Sen. John Kerry, supporting the Republican effort to portray him as a weak liberal, has special resonance among those Jews who will base their vote on whether they think a candidate will be tough enough in standing up for Israel.

Bang the Press Slowly

Published on August 5, 2004

"I will concede that conservative Jewish Republicans like myself are in the minority, especially out here on the Left Coast," reader Gillee Sherman e-mailed me. "But we are growing in numbers every day, and this election should see a huge improvement for Bush in the Jewish community."

Grass-Roots Level Campaign Coverage

Published on July 15, 2004

The election analysis is all the same. For days, the political press was almost totally occupied with Sen. John Kerry's choice for the vice presidential candidate. When Sen. John Edwards was selected, everyone I saw or read had the same take: Terrific speaker; inexperienced; shady trial lawyer; fighter for the forgotten.

It was as if the journalists were afraid to stray off the beaten track or leave the reporting pack to have an original thought. Today's political reporting is a compendium of conventional wisdom. The motto of the press corps is: "On one hand.... And on the other...."

One Actor’s Influence

Published on June 10, 2004

I can't remember many Jews around Ronald Reagan when I met him at the very start of his political career. Politics were simple. Jews were Democrats. Republicans were from country clubs that didn't admit Jews.

Reagan seemed unconnected to all that. His experience with Jews was far different than that of the country club Republicans who followed him. True, he grew up in small-town Illinois, where Jews were a rarity, and he graduated from Eureka College, a puritanical Disciples of Christ school. But his movie career was nurtured and shaped by Jews, who remained loyal to him through his days in films and politics and shaped his political life.

Simply Wrong

Published on May 6, 2004

The Republicans are praying that President Bush's embrace of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Gaza withdrawal plan will sway the Jewish vote.

Money Buys Control

Published on April 1, 2004

The angry man in the back of the room at El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana was shaking his fist and calling us crooks.

I made a big mistake -- eye contact. With me in his range, he raised his hand, and I think his middle finger, and yelled, "You!" Being a city ethics commissioner, I didn't think I should be called a crook in public.

The Need for Reality

Published on March 4, 2004

I set out to write about the presidential election, but I changed my mind when I ran into Eric Gordon, the director of Workmen's Circle.

Question of Ethics

Published on February 5, 2004

As both a Los Angeles city ethics commissioner and a Jewish community journalist, I was in a skeptical mood as I took a seat in the audience of a discussion on "Jewish Ethical Values in the Halls of Power: From the Board Room to the Council Chamber."

The Doctor Is In

Published on January 1, 2004

Listening to Howard Dean reminds me of going to a doctor who starts out the visit by saying, "Bill, you really look sick."

Maybe I do, but I don't want to hear it expressed quite so bluntly. Just like I didn't want to hear Dr. Dean saying in Los Angeles Dec. 15, "The capture of Saddam has not made America safer."

Dean's pessimism was hard to take, especially right after the bearded villain was hauled out of the ground by American troops.

Newsstand Wisdom

Published on December 4, 2003

If you want to know what's going on, talk to the guy who runs the newsstand.

That would be David Mallel, who owns the well-stocked newsstand at Fairfax and Oakwood avenues in the heart of the Fairfax District. He keeps attuned to the political feelings of his well-read clientele by seeing what they buy and mixing those observations with his own experiences as a lifelong member of the Los Angeles Jewish community.

Westside Jews Divided on Recall

Published on October 2, 2003

Exploring the Pico-Robertson neighborhood, where Republicans once were the smallest of minorities, I happened upon a nest of recall supporters who were also great admirers of President Bush. Talking to them, I got a sense of the changing politics of Los Angeles' Jewish community, where votes can no longer be taken for granted.

They were students of Netan Eli High School, seated around a table in the lunch-room, talking politics. I'd happened on the school the previous afternoon while looking for people to interview about the Oct. 7 election. I introduced myself to Rabbi Sholom D. Weil, the principal, and general studies principal Avi Erblich, and they were nice enough to set up a meeting with students.

Fervent Political

Published on September 4, 2003

How does a Jewish community journalist cover such a non-Jewish election?

City View

Published on July 31, 2003

When Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis was the eloquent young rabbi of Temple Beth Abraham in Oakland, he gave many uncompromising sermons against the social and economic injustices that afflicted the community.

Activists Looking to Past for Inspiration

Published on July 3, 2003

When I arrived in Los Angeles, I was drawn to Boyle Heights, a Latino community that had once been the home of Los Angeles Jewish radical life.

It wasn't that I was looking for Eastside, left-wing Jewish roots. I didn't have any. When my grandparents lived in Los Angeles before moving north, they had a grocery store in Eagle Rock and later one near Bunker Hill. My mother commuted to UCLA by bus and streetcar to attend the first classes on the Westwood campus.

Partisans for Israel

Published on June 5, 2003

The crowd in front of the Jewish Republicans' booth didn't approach the size of those at some of the better food stands at the Israel's Independence Day celebration at Woodley Park in the San Fernando Valley. Still, it was big enough to interest me after having watched the GOP's long courtship of Jews; for years, it's been a romance that sometimes reached the engagement party but usually fell short of the chuppah.