A Magnet for Campaigners : Jewish Home for the Aging, With 800 Voters, Is a Must Stop for Politicians

Rae Brykman, 82, is one of the most sought-after voters in Los Angeles. Big-name politicians repeatedly visit her home. After all, her home can deliver 800 votes.

Tucked into a tree-lined Reseda neighborhood, the two sprawling campuses of the Jewish Home for the Aging are voting precincts in and of themselves. All the residents of the facilities--located about 1 1/2 miles apart and covering about 15 acres--are registered voters and nearly all of them cast ballots.

Having seen candidates come and go, Brykman did not get worked up Tuesday when mayoral candidate Ricard Riordan stopped by. She shook his hand, smiled politely and remarked, “Boy, your hands are cold.”

City Councilwoman Joy Picus, who represents the area and considers it a solid base of support, has campaigned at the home regularly for the past two decades. Between elections, she attends 100th birthday parties there.

Not to be outdone, Picus opponent Laura Chick already has visited the two campuses several times and plans more trips before the June 8 runoff election.

“Voter turnout is virtually 100%,” said campaign consultant Harvey Englander, who once brought Hubert Humphrey there to win votes in his White House bid. “It’s a good place to talk about issues dealing with senior citizens and the Jewish community.”

Barbara Boxer passed through last fall in her bid for the U.S. Senate, as did Dianne Feinstein. During the primary campaign for mayor, Assemblyman Richard Katz, Councilman Joel Wachs and Councilman Nate Holden paid visits. Riordan’s opponent in next month’s runoff, Councilman Michael Woo, has planned a stop in the coming weeks.

“The residents like to see candidates,” said Sheldon J. Blumenthal, the longtime executive director of the facilities. “They are more likely to vote for someone they’ve spoken with.”

Although Blumenthal and his staff do not endorse candidates, they do attempt to create excitement around politics--turning it into one of the many activities offered for residents. Along with the stream of candidate visits, there are discussions led by groups such as the League of Women Voters to guide residents through the complicated ballot propositions.

Election Day becomes a major social event. When the polls are about to close, volunteers visit those residents who have not yet voted, encouraging them to join in.

“As people move into the home, we register them to vote,” said Blumenthal. “Everyone who lives here is a registered voter. This is a generation of people who have been politically active. Jews generally have a high voter turnout.”

The home began in Boyle Heights 80 years ago and moved to its current site in 1974. Five years later, the home merged with Menorah Village, another San Fernando Valley residential care facility, becoming the largest such facility in the Los Angeles area.

UCLA runs a geriatric research center at the home, where the average resident is 90 and the oldest is somewhere around 104. Once called the Jewish Home for the Aged , its name was changed years ago to Jewish Home for the Aging.

“ ‘Aged’ gave the impression of finality,” said Rabbi Emeritus Bernard M. Cohen of Temple Solael in West Hills, who gave Riordan a tour of the home. “ ‘Aging’ is a process.”

Although residents vary widely in their alertness and health, Blumenthal said their political opinions cannot be cast aside.

“It’s important that they remain active in the communities in which they’ve lived,” he said. “Half of them were born in the 19th Century. The community ought to listen to what seniors have to say. Old people have important views of the future because they’ve been through the past.”

During Tuesday’s visit, Riordan passed out buttons and brochures, mentioned his 101-year-old mother and won over voters left and right. One especially big fan was Rachel Coehn, who will turn 104 next month. “Congratulations in advance,” she said.

Others, however, were not jumping on board so easily. Julia Cooper, 84, refused to say whom she is supporting. “It’s a secret,” she said.

But Cooper was more than willing to offer her view on the parade of politicians who speak during her lunch hour. “They come here because they need us,” said the four-year resident. “After that, they’re gone.”