Taglit-birthright israel Alumni Run for City Council

By Josh Marks   

The Taglit-birthright israel trip has inspired a couple of alumni to make a difference in their local community.

Jacob Goldstein and Mike Hakim ran for Beverly Hills City Council in the recent elections. While they didn't win, it was a learning experience for both of them and they both hope to get on the ballot again next year.

"Israel is very important to me and having attended birthright israel made me want to make a difference no matter where I was in the world. What better place to begin than at home and pass it on to the rest of the globe," said Hakim.

Seven candidates ran for city council and only the top three were elected. Both Goldstein and Hakim got over 1,000 votes - the winners got 4,000 votes apiece.

Goldstein's main issues included getting the city out of debt and doing more for the homeless. He also wanted to bring new ideas and new ways of thinking to solve problems. For example, he wanted to provide free wireless internet for everyone who lives in Beverly Hills.

"Free wireless would make it more accessible to do email communication and would save the city a lot of money in the long run and increase awareness of activities and community involvement," said Goldstein.

Community involvement was a major issue that Hakim campaigned on as well.

"Beverly Hills has probably the world's best resources of people; doctors, business professionals, celebrities, etc. We need their input to bring them closer to our great community. Involvement only makes us a better place to spread our values," said Hakim.

Both candidates learned a lot about the political process and what it takes to run for elected office.

"I learned that if you want to do something you have to go at it all the way and have to have a lot of fun with it. You have to be a strong character not to be swayed from different pressures," said Goldstein.

Both Goldstein and Hakim are hopeful of their chances for winning in the next election. They believe their youth and idealism is what the city of Beverly Hills and America needs.

Hakim would like to see more young people continuing to get involved. "This is one thing America is lacking, more youth involvement. Our future depends on our youth."


Josh Marks is a website production editor and freelance writer at Variety -- the trade magazine for the entertainment industry. He also writes movie reviews, covers local sports and profiles neighborhoods and small businesses for community newspapers in Long Beach, Santa Monica and the San Fernando Valley.