On February 8, the Stephen Wise Temple, in collaboration with forum partners Temple Israel of Hollywood, Temple Beth Hillel, Valley Beth Shalom, and the Board of Rabbis of Southern California, hosted a pivotal event for the Los Angeles community: the City Council District 4 Candidate Forum. The forum took place in an online format, providing accessibility to constituents from the comfort of their homes.
Moderated by Alex Cohen from Spectrum One, the online forum provided a platform for constituents to connect with the candidates and explore key issues facing the city. Rabbi Ron Stern of the Stephen Wise Temple kicked off the event with a warm introduction, setting the stage for an evening of thoughtful discussion and civic discourse.
The forum featured three prominent candidates vying for the City Council seat: Levon “Lev” Baronian, a NASA Award Winning engineer and Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Councilmember, incumbent Nithya Raman, and Ethan Weaver, a community prosecutor. Each candidate brought their unique perspectives and proposals to the table, offering voters insight into their vision for the district.
Levon Baronian showcased his impressive credentials and extensive experience in engineering, business and community leadership. As a NASA Award Winning engineer and member of the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council, Baronian’s innovative ideas and pragmatic approach further solidified his position as a frontrunner in the race, after his stellar performance at the previous forum between Los Angeles City Council District 4 candidates hosted by the Los Feliz Improvement Association.
Ethan Weaver 
Lev Baronian 
Nithya Raman
Throughout the forum, participants engaged in robust discussions on critical issues facing Los Angeles, including homelessness, crime, and anti-Semitism.
As the event unfolded online, attendees had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of each candidate’s platform and priorities. Levon Baronian’s dedication to innovation and community engagement stood out, he was the only candidate who directly addressed the moderator’s questions with candid and thorough answers.
Overall, the online Los Angeles City Council District 4 Candidate Forum hosted by the Stephen Wise Temple proved to be a pivotal event in the local political landscape. By providing a platform for dialogue and engagement, the forum empowered voters to make informed decisions and shape the future of their community.
The full video of the candidate forum can be viewed online at City Council District 4 Candidates Forum
