Boca Raton Rabbi Urges Jewish Voters to Join Democratic Primary to Block Anti-Israel Challenger

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, leader of the Boca Raton Synagogue in South Florida, urged members of his congregation to register as Democrats before Florida’s Monday deadline so they can vote for Rep. Jared Moskowitz in the state’s August 18 primary.

Goldberg said the effort is not intended to influence the November general election. Its purpose, he said, is to prevent democratic socialist Oliver Larkin, an outspoken opponent of Israel and US military aid, from defeating Moskowitz for the Democratic nomination.

“I have no opinion, I’m not endorsing a candidate,” Goldberg told Jewish Insider. “This has to do with a primary where one of the candidates is a supporter of Hamas, anti-Israel, antisemitic.”

Florida operates a closed-primary system, meaning voters generally must be registered with a political party to participate in that party’s primary. Goldberg told congregants they could vote for Moskowitz and change their registration again before the general election.

Larkin has accused Israel of genocide, called for ending American military assistance to Israel and supported a right of return for Palestinian refugees. He has also campaigned with anti-Israel socialist influencer Hasan Piker and received support from Democratic Socialists of America groups.

Larkin rejected Goldberg’s accusations and said criticism of Israeli government policy should not be equated with hatred of Jews.

“In the very strongest terms possible, I unequivocally condemn antisemitism and every form of hate that threatens the safety of Jewish people or any other religious group,” Larkin said.

His campaign said Larkin contacted Goldberg after Jewish Insider requested comment. The two held what the campaign described as a respectful conversation about antisemitism and relations with Jewish community leaders.

Goldberg said the response inside his Orthodox congregation, which includes more than 1,000 families and generally leans politically conservative, was “overwhelmingly” positive.

Some congregants, however, wanted to remain registered Republicans so they could participate in Florida’s gubernatorial primary. Others were uncomfortable identifying as Democrats even temporarily.

Goldberg said voters who objected only for emotional reasons were giving up an opportunity to stop Larkin.

“Should this socialist, anti-Israel antisemite be either the Democratic nominee for our Congress or even win that election, I think they’ll have to look at themselves when they could have done more and didn’t,” he said. Larkin denies being antisemitic.

Goldberg said he personally appreciates Moskowitz, one of the most outspoken pro-Israel Democrats in Congress, but insisted that their relationship alone did not drive the registration campaign.

“I am deeply appreciative that he has been staunchly pro-Israel, and particularly when there is pressure with his own party,” Goldberg said.

The race is taking place in Florida’s newly drawn 25th Congressional District after redistricting reshaped Moskowitz’s previous seat. The district is expected to be highly competitive in November, creating an unusual calculation for conservative Jewish voters who may support the Republican nominee in the general election.

A Moskowitz campaign-commissioned poll released in late June showed the congressman leading Larkin by 32 points. Larkin has nevertheless attracted increased attention and fundraising following recent victories by other DSA-backed candidates.

A flyer circulated by Goldberg summarized the effort: “Regardless of your partisan leanings, it will be a major loss for the pro-Israel community if Jared Moskowitz loses his primary.”