From my vantage point as a teen growing up in New Jersey in the 1970s, California was barely on my radar. Of course, the familiar and iconic images reigned large, but apart from a few family vacations, the true nature of the Golden State evaded my awareness. When one of my high school friends made the decision to attend UCLA, it was as if she had traveled to a distant planet. Her stories of sun-drenched beach parties and boat rides on the Pacific were the stuff of movies. After spending two years here for rabbinical school, Becky and I were smitten and embraced job offers that brought us to LA-LA land! We haven’t looked back.
Among the many factors that make this state appealing (beyond the sunshine, lifestyle, and sheer natural beauty) is the commitment to being on the cutting edge of change. While it must be said that sometimes California’s predilection toward innovation—though well-intentioned—can result in the failures of unintended consequences rife with the deficiencies of human shortcomings, the state’s commitment to innovating for the good of most is notable. This California mindset exists in the public and private sectors. With the turnover to 2023, a number of new laws go into effect. You can see most of them here. You may find some you embrace and others you believe to be misguided. But as you peruse the list, at the very least, it should cause you (as it does me) to reflect on your own guiding principles. To what extent do the laws of this state seek to facilitate ideals that you believe are an expression of your values? If you disagree, what in your core values do these laws violate—what would a policy reflecting your values look like? Whom would it benefit, whom might it disadvantage?
The Hebrew prophets are famous for railing against the political leaders and the people of their day. Isaiah (in chapter 58) famously rebukes the people for their ostentatious displays of piety in the public arena and faults them for their failure to care for the poor and oppressed on their streets. It was clear to the prophets that religious principles must be expressed in public behavior. As I have made clear in previous posts, Judaism is notable for the rich diversity of principles that can be derived from its teachings. Nonetheless, as Jews, it is important for us to wrestle with the values expressed in the policies of our communities (i.e. laws) and the ways in which they intersect with our own guiding principles as citizens of those communities.
California doesn’t always get it right—no question about that—but the commitment to seeking change for the good of all of us makes me proud to call it my home.
—Rabbi Ron Stern