The debates won’t matter

By Marty Kaplan
Published on September 28, 2008

Joseph Stalin is reputed to have said, "Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything." I think he had it half right.

Persian Jews Dive Into Politics

By Karmel Melamed
Published on June 30, 2005

When Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa took office on July 1, he could have handed out thank-yous to groups all over the city for his Election Day drubbing of incumbent Mayor James Hahn.

Jews, in all their local permutations, were a big part of Villaraigosa's victory: Orthodox Jews, Valley Jews, Westside liberal Jews -- and also the politically emerging community of Iranian Jews.

"The Iranian Jewish community is very much a part of this city," said David Nahai, a Century City attorney. "What happens to Los Angeles happens to us and so we have a deeply vested interest in the outcome of this race."

Only recently have many prominent Iranian Jews in Southern California become more involved in political races -- after realizing the impact elected officials have on their business interests, which for many include substantial real estate holdings.