This Shabbat we begin a new book of the Torah. B’midbar (Numbers) opens with a census. God instructs Moses:
שְׂאוּ אֶת־רֹאשׁ כָּל־עֲדַת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל
s’u et rosh kol adat b’nei Yisrael
— raise up the head of each member of the Israelite community. Every individual is named. Every person, tribe by tribe. No one is invisible. Everyone counts.
That value was very much alive in Sacramento this week.
I had the privilege of joining more than 750 Jewish leaders from across California for Jewish California’s Capitol Summit. It was an extraordinary gathering, and being there alongside approximately fifteen members of our Stephen Wise Temple community made it all the more meaningful.
On Monday and Tuesday, we heard directly from members of the Jewish caucus in the California legislature, including Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, Senator Ben Allen, Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, Senator Henry Stern, and Assemblymember Christopher Ward. We also heard from powerful allies who, while not Jewish themselves, have stood with our community with remarkable consistency and commitment, among them Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and Assemblymember Catherine Stefani. Their presence was a reminder that the work of building a more just and secure California is one we don’t do alone.
We came, as every advocacy group does, to participate in the democratic process and ensure our elected officials know what their constituents care about. Among the bills we advocated for: AB 1835, which would renew the nonprofit security grant program with $100 million in funding for synagogues and nonprofits at risk of hate-motivated violence; and AB 2662, the Safe Worship Zone Act, which would establish a 100-foot buffer zone around entrances to houses of worship. These speak directly to the safety and security of our community.
But we didn’t stop there. We also advocated for AB 2161, which protects Medi-Cal coverage, and AB 2299, which protects food benefits, measures that affect vulnerable Californians of all backgrounds.
I plan to return next year and I hope you’ll consider joining us. If you’re interested in getting involved or learning more about Jewish California, please reach out to Rabbi Stern at [email protected]. As this legislation moves forward and bills come up for votes, we’ll keep you informed of how you can advocate directly to your own elected officials.
That is the beautiful balance our tradition calls us to: tending to our own people while never losing sight of our responsibility to all of humanity. As Rabbi Stern shared in the closing session, quoting Hillel: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am for myself alone, what (kind of person) am I?” (Pirkei Avot 1:14). In Sacramento this week, more than 750 Jewish leaders answered that question with their feet, their voices, and their presence. This is Jewish California. This is who we are as a people.
Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel with Wise delegates,
Sharona and Yasmin Shenassa
Senator Ben Allen and members of the Jewish Caucus
Our advocacy group in the office of Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva
Stephen Wise Temple delegation to the Capital Summit
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yoshi