The DSA’s Growing Urban Power: A Direct Threat to Jewish Communities and Democratic Values

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/AP PHOTO

The news & social media have been filled with the implications of a potential mayoral victory in the city of New York for Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).  The potential ramifications for New York City and the potential trend across America is frightening with 80,000 DSA members across 50 states preaching communism and overt Jew hatred. Mamdani has been a vocal supporter of BDS, the Boycott Divestment and Sanction movement against the State of Israel, working to isolate Israel politically, economically, and culturally with the larger goal of weakening and eventually eliminating Israel’s existence as the one and only Jewish State.

While we focus on this being a New York City issue with potential trends across America, we should be very concerned that the DSA is already in power in the City of Los Angeles. Four of the fifteen member Los Angeles City Council are also members of the DSA—Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, Councilmember Nithya Raman, Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, and Councilmember Ysabel Jurado.

November 2026 will bring another round of elections for Los Angeles City Council. DSA-LA members voted overwhelmingly to endorse the City Council campaigns of Eunisses Hernandez (CD 1), Estuardo Mazariegos (CD 9), and Faizah Malik (CD 11), as well as the LAUSD School Board campaign of Dr. Rocío Rivas (Board District 2). The potential for half of our Los Angeles City Council to be dominated by socialists and those spouting antisemitic rhetoric is a strong possibility.

After the attacks of October 7^th three of the four City Hall politicians endorsed by the DSA, including Councilmembers Hugo Soto- Martinez and Eunisses Hernandez and Controller Kenneth Mejia remained silent. We have approached Controller Kenneth Mejia’s office with the goal of building bridges with the Jewish community, and our request went unanswered.

During the Spring of 2024, with the leadership of Los Angeles City Councilmember, Traci Park, The Golda Project leaders were provided with the opportunity to speak at Los Angeles City Council and receive a proclamation from Councilmember Park for our work standing strong for women and addressing the issues facing Israel at this time of crisis since October 7^th.  While last minute struggles that day among members almost cancelled this opportunity, it did go off and it was impactful in sharing the message of Israel standing strong for women and against the atrocities that took place against so many women on October 7^.

We have spoken about bringing best practices from Israel in childcare and the advancement of women to Los Angeles to highlight how Israel leads the way to focus on common progressive ground. Funding this type of initiative should be a priority for our local Jewish organizations, sharing a positive message for Israel and Jewish community leadership.

We must take every opportunity to partner with supporters such as Councilmembers Bob Blumenfeld, John Lee, Adrin Nazarian, Tim McOsker, Traci Park and Katy Yaroslavsky to share the priorities of the Jewish community and our commitment to one of America’s most steadfast allies, Israel. We must support local candidates that support our common goals and make our issues a priority not just on the national issue but very much on a local issue at City Hall and smaller City Hall’s across the region.

As a Jewish community and those that support the Jewish community, we must make this issue our issue and work for a better Los Angeles and a better America by standing strong to support those that stand with us.

Gina Raphael and Shana Glassman

Co-Founders

The Golda Project

www.thegoldaproject.net 

About The Golda Project:

The Golda Project, founded in late 2024, is a dynamic community of Zionist women dedicated to fostering connection and unity while addressing immediate needs in Israel and the Jewish community at home. We empower our members to create impactful change through collaborative projects, advocacy for Israel, and support for vital initiatives, including partnerships with non-profits to provide resources for women, children, and trauma therapy for those affected by the events of October 7, 2023.