To say that democracy is nearly as old as Judaism is not an exaggeration. The story of Moses I told on Monday portrayed Deuteronomy’s first democratic leanings. As Reform Jews, our engagement in politics goes part and parcel with our spiritual lives and the innovative expressions of Jewish life that engage American Jews. We are committed to crafting a world that reflects Jewish values as we understand them. This was the vision that led to the creation of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and inspired Reform Jewish leaders in California to organize ourselves to create our own statewide counterpart. As our state and nation look towards our most vital and regular expression of democracy, it is incumbent upon us all to express our will through our votes. We also invite you to encourage voting across the nation by supporting these or other organizations of your choice that seek [...]

Though all eyes are on the presidential election, there are a number of very important state ballot measures coming up for a vote that require our informed decision making. They are complicated and can potentially reshape some of our state’s vital policies. As one of the founding congregations of the Religious Action Center of California (RAC-CA)—the Reform movement’s statewide tikkun olam lobbying organization—the Wise Tikkun Olam Committee is committed to educating our community and ensuring widespread participation in the elections. You can view the entire list here. The Los Angeles Times also has an analysis here. Here are a few of significant importance. Please note that their listing here does not indicate endorsement by either the RAC or Wise. They are provided for your information only. Proposition 14: Authorizes bonds for continued funding of stem cell research. Proposition 15: Changes the tax assessment on commercial properties and seeks more money for schools and local government [...]

The iconic picture above showing leaders of the Reform Jewish community presenting a Torah scroll to President John Kennedy captures one of the foundational values of the Reform movement. As postwar Reform Judaism flourished in the United States it quickly became apparent that Jewish values, as our movement’s founders understood them, were inextricably linked to the flourishing of American democracy. The Religious Action Center was created in 1961 as the lobbying arm of the Reform Movement. Supported by the Union for Reform Judaism and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, its mission was to advocate on behalf of causes that affirmed the centrality of Jewish values in American life and improved the very fiber of our society. From its earliest days, the RAC (as it came to be called) was at the forefront of civil rights, women’s rights, climate advocacy, immigration policy, and so many other issues. In fact, the landmark Civil [...]

One of the most memorable scenes from Fiddler on the Roof is when the rabbi is asked to say a blessing for the Czar. The blessing? “May God bless and keep the Czar...[long pause]…far away from us!” With that, the villagers in Anatevka break into loud amens. Of course, that’s because the goal in so many towns and shtetls where Jews dwelled was to keep their heads low, avoid attention, and just get through each day without being molested by the oppressive government. The Jews in Roman times offered a different perspective in their prayers. The ancient Rabbi, Hanina, also a Kohen Gadol (high priest) declared: “pray for the welfare of the government, for were it not for the fear it inspires, every person would swallow their neighbor alive!” There are numerous stories in the Bible and Talmud of characters encountering monarchs and engaging in differing degrees of deception or tribute—or sometimes both to protect [...]

According to the Torah, Moses brought the world democracy, but it required a little cajoling from his father-in-law. In Exodus, Moses’ father-in-law, Yitro, we see Moses struggling to administer the affairs of leadership of the Israelites. Yitro says: “This thing you are doing is not right, for you will wear yourself out.” Yitro advises Moses to appoint judges and magistrates to share the burden. Moses heeds the advice and appoints the assistants. When the story is retold in Deuteronomy, Moses tells of being overburdened by the task of managing the Israelites—Yitro’s name doesn’t even appear— but in this telling Moses says that he asked the Israelites to choose their own leaders and only affirmed them after they agreed to his plan. Clearly, Deuteronomy’s version elevates the people’s role in choosing their own leaders. In a sense, it describes the Torah’s first revolutionary glimmerings of a democratic process. So, as the world’s first bearers of democracy, we have inherited [...]