Eric Garcetti: A new Jewish face for L.A.?

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on February 7, 2013

During a recent candidates’ forum at Sinai Temple, Los Angeles City Councilman and mayoral hopeful Eric Garcetti began his opening statement by thanking his hosts, the audience, and the moderator, Rabbi David Wolpe.

Remembering Ed Koch: A pugnacious New Yorker and passionate Jew till his dying day

Published on February 1, 2013

One of the proudest moments of Ed Koch’s life came during a trip to Israel in 1990, in the midst of the first Palestinian intifada.

Mayor Villaraigosa joins Chabad at Menorah lighting

By Ryan Torok
Published on December 12, 2012

On Dec. 7, the dancing rabbis of Chabad and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa came together at Los Angeles City Hall to celebrate the Festival of Lights.

Mayor Villaraigosa joins Chabad to illuminate the City of Angels

Published on December 10, 2012

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined West Coast Chabad, city officials and community leaders on Friday to usher in the Festival of Lights by illuminating the historic Katowitz Menorah at LA City Hall.

Benjamin Reznik: L.A. based lawyer who takes on Goliath

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on October 26, 2012

Among land-use attorneys working in Los Angeles, Benjamin Reznik is better known than most, perhaps because of his success at suing the City of Los Angeles.

Jan Perry’s quest: Spirituality, pursuit of L.A.‘s well-being

By Bill Boyarsky
Published on July 25, 2012

I asked City Council member Jan Perry, a candidate for mayor of Los Angeles, if she was on a spiritual quest when she converted to Judaism. “Right,” she replied. “Your question is a good way to put it.”

Interfaith leaders condemn LAPD tactics in shutting down Occupy L.A.

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on November 30, 2011

Witnessing Occupy L.A.’s final night at City Hall

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on November 30, 2011

A stroll through Occupy Los Angeles

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on October 27, 2011

Jewish activists and clergy to join Occupy L.A. with sukkah outside City Hall

By Ryan Torok
Published on October 11, 2011

Since the beginning of this month, a group of Angelenos has gathered near downtown’s City Hall as part of Occupy Los Angeles, its version of the much-publicized Occupy Wall Street — a protest movement calling for reforms to the U.S. political and economic systems.

City Building & Safety inspectors briefly interrupt Kol Nidrei services at Hancock Park shul

By Tom Tugend
Published on September 24, 2007

Was the incident an unfortunate bureaucratic foul-up or a malicious anti-Semitic act?

‘Little Flower’ Could Help Antonio Bloom

By Joel Kotkin
Published on May 26, 2005

I imagine you are enjoying the hoopla surrounding your election. As the first Latino chief executive in more than 130 years, it may be tempting to bask in the warmth of a great ethnic triumph.

But don't enjoy it too much. Los Angeles does not need a symbol or an icon; it needs a mayor, one who can be both decisive and effective. We need less rah-rah and more Fiorello La Guardia.

Blocs Play Key Role in Villaraigosa’s Win

By Raphael J. Sonenshein
Published on May 19, 2005

With his election as mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa now has the chance to deliver on the coalition approach he offered to the voters in the recent campaign. If he succeeds, Los Angeles government may start to find solutions to problems that have previously seemed intractable. If he fails, he will leave a city more balkanized than before, and one that will have a harder time than ever solving its problems.

Slicing and Dicing L.A.‘s Electorate

By Jill Stewart
Published on April 7, 2005

The race for Los Angeles mayor features two consummate insiders who are close to one another ideologically and disagree on few issues, posing a question: With Sacramento politics offering a clash of political tectonic plates and big, competing reforms, why is the mayor's race lacking in big ideas?

The Mayor’s Eyes and Ears

By Mike Levy
Published on September 6, 2001

Jennifer Stein wears two hats at City Hall. You could say one of them is a kippah.

The recent Stanford University grad, 23, is the South Valley Area director in Mayor James Hahn's Office of the Neighborhood Advocate. She is also Hahn's liaison to the Jewish community.