Berman leaves Congress

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on January 9, 2013

After 30 years, the last day in Congress for Rep. Howard Berman (D-Van Nuys) was Jan. 2. Unlike some other veteran lawmakers who left office this year — including Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.), who penned a retrospective op-ed in The New York Times on his final day, and former Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), who told his own story during a 20-minute speech to a mostly empty Senate chamber in December — Berman appears to have made no such public pronouncements.

Sherman drops bid for post

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on November 20, 2012

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), after winning re-election in a bitter fight against Rep. Howard Berman (D-Van Nuys), has abandoned his pursuit of his rival’s old position as ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Letters to the Editor: Berman will be missed, Fight for life, Seeking survivors

Published on November 16, 2012

Last week’s election was incredibly emotional for me. With the support of my community, a kid from Pacoima won a seat in the United States House of Representatives.

Sherman v. Berman: counting the wins, losses

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on November 7, 2012

From the start, the rationale by which voters would have to choose between Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) and Rep. Howard Berman (D-Valley Village) was somewhat murky. The two congressmen have very similar voting records, and, as far as pro-Israel voters were concerned, both Jewish legislators are considered reliable advocates for the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Letters to the Editor: Berman v. Sherman and Woody Allen

Published on July 19, 2012

As a legislator and a Jewish Journal subscriber, I was deeply disappointed in “Berman vs. Sherman: Evaluating Their Congressional Records” (June 29), Bill Boyarsky’s effort to measure each member’s legislative effectiveness through an Internet search engine.

It’s Groundhog Day as Democrats like (but don’t endorse) Berman; Sherman talks up $$$ advantage

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on July 16, 2012

Berman vs. Sherman: Evaluating their congressional records

By Bill Boyarsky
Published on June 27, 2012

Much of the debate in the San Fernando Valley contest between Reps. Howard Berman and Brad Sherman has revolved around their congressional records, but I’m having trouble deciphering them. And if it’s hard for me, after spending years writing about legislation, pity the interested voter. In their years in Congress — 29 for Berman, 15 for Sherman — they have cast many votes and introduced bills, either as a main author or collaborator. Because there’s a public record of this activity, you’d think it would be easy to look it up, rather than rely on the candidates’ speeches, charges and counter charges.

With Berman, Sherman, and other Dems facing off, Republicans may hold the key

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on June 13, 2012

Susan Shelley: Berman-Sherman’s Republican Jewish opponent

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on May 15, 2012

Earlier this month, when the Los Angeles Daily News announced its endorsements in the San Fernando Valley’s 30th District Congressional race, the newspaper tapped two Jewish candidates — but not the same two candidates whom voters have been hearing so much about.

In new TV ad, Sherman tries to differentiate himself from Berman

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on May 14, 2012

Berman snags newspaper endorsements, Sherman files complaint against Berman campaign

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on May 9, 2012

With California’s congressional primary election scheduled to take place on June 5, Rep. Howard Berman (D-Van Nuys), has won endorsements from the editorial boards of the Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Daily News.

Following Sherman’s lead, Berman will release his tax return

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on April 20, 2012

Berman and Sherman vie for credit for 405 expansion

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on April 19, 2012

Hopeful Dems eye top committee spots

Published on April 17, 2012

Amid the election season tumult, behind-the-scenes campaigns are also under way for who will be the next top Democrats on two key congressional committees — with Jewish lawmakers in the running for both leadership slots.

Berman Israeli Visa Bill Passes House, 371-0

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on March 21, 2012

Our Annual Purim Spoof Cover 2012: Angry Beards, Donald Trump, Berman v. Sherman, Proxy Baptism

By JewishJournal
Published on March 1, 2012

Our Annual Purim spoof Cover

A rundown of Tuesday night’s Berman v. Sherman v. Reed debate [VIDEO]

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on February 22, 2012

No endorsement by Calif. Dems in Berman-Sherman race

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on February 13, 2012

Hollywood allegiance clear in the Berman/Sherman race

By Danielle Berrin
Published on January 25, 2012

Democratic party vote sends Berman v. Sherman contest to convention

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on January 22, 2012

At town hall in 30th congressional district, two insiders and two outsiders trade barbs

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on January 5, 2012

Report: 30th district leaning toward Sherman

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on January 4, 2012

Sherman, Berman gun for endorsements

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on November 16, 2011

Berman takes in $1.6 million at Beverly Hills fundraiser

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on November 10, 2011

Sherman gets a Democratic endorsement; Berman gets a Super-PAC (part 1)

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on November 9, 2011

Opinion: Obama’s numbers could swing 30th district race

By Bill Boyarsky
Published on September 28, 2011

Rep. Brad Sherman doesn’t intend to follow Rep. Henry Waxman’s advice to give up his San Fernando Valley congressional race against Rep. Howard Berman.

Introducing the Berman v. Sherman blog

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on September 15, 2011

The Berman v. Sherman race—so far

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on September 15, 2011

Orthodox leaders appear to sway redistricting panel

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on August 9, 2011

The effort by three local Orthodox community leaders to convince California’s new Citizens Redistricting Commission to include a bigger chunk of one of Los Angeles’ most densely packed Orthodox neighborhoods into an Assembly district that includes many other Orthodox neighborhoods appears to have paid off.

House Foreign Affairs Committee approves making anti-boycott law permanent

Published on July 22, 2011

House Foreign Affairs Committee approves making anti-boycott law permanent

Berman vs. Sherman?

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on July 19, 2011

Over the past two months, political observers have been keeping close watch on draft maps being released by California’s new, citizen-led redistricting panel. Though Jewish leaders haven’t been actively lobbying the Citizens Redistricting Commission on behalf of the community (see sidebar)...

Citizens redistricting commission: (Almost) no Jews involved

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on July 19, 2011

Stanley Treitel, 66, is Orthodox, lives in Hancock Park and is one of the few Jewish Californians to have made a direct pitch to the state’s new Citizens Redistricting Commission on behalf of Jewish interests.

Berman and Sherman may face off in newly drawn districts

By Tom Tugend
Published on June 10, 2011