Other items in today’s column include:
*Education news
*Political bytes
*At the Synagogues
SAN DIEGO — The State Legislature on Monday gave final approval to a bill requiring that ethnic studies be made a requirement for graduation from California high school. Members of the Legislative Jewish Caucus sent out a news release seeking to allay fears expressed in the Jewish community that the content of those courses might include anti-Israel or anti-Semitic material.
In a joint statement, Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) and Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) respectively chair and vice chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus wrote:
“Today, the Legislature passed AB 331, a priority bill for the Latino, Black, and Asian Pacific Islander legislative caucuses. It is our sincere hope that this course will provide an opportunity for young Californians to deepen their understanding of our society’s complex history when it comes to issues of race and diversity. We are pleased that AB 331 now includes firm guardrails that will prohibit the teaching of any curriculum that promotes bias, bigotry, or discrimination, including against Jews or Israelis. These guardrails were developed in direct response to concerns about offensive anti-Jewish and anti-Israel content that was included in the initial draft of the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum, and send a clear and unequivocal message to every school district in California that bigotry and discrimination have no place in our classrooms. We look forward to continuing to work with our legislative colleagues, Governor Newsom, and community partners to ensure that we have a strong curriculum that is free from inappropriate bias, and that will provide all students in our diverse state with the important benefits of ethnic studies.”
The bill that was sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom for signature or veto now includes these provisions:
(iv) Instruction and materials for a course [in Ethnic Studies] shall meet all of the following requirements:
(I) Be appropriate for use with pupils of all races, religions, genders, sexual orientations, and diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, pupils with disabilities, and English learners.
(II) Not reflect or promote, directly or indirectly, any bias, bigotry, or discrimination against any person or group of persons on the basis of any category protected by Section 220.
(III) Not teach or promote religious doctrine.
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Education News
*The Lawfare Project, in furtherance of its #EndJewHatred campaign, has announced it will demonstrate from 3 to 5 p.m.,, Monday, September 7, at the Grove at the intersection of South Fairfax Avenue and West 3rd Street in Los Angeles to protest “the bigotry taking place at the University of Southern California (USC).” Last month, Rose Ritch felt forced by antisemitism to resign her position as student vice president.
*Hillel International, building on its 2018 Mitzvote program (from “Mitzvah” and “Vote”) is organizing students to register to vote in the 2020 presidential election and to volunteer as poll workers. According to a spokeswoman, “MitzVote is using a new platform called Motivote, which uses behavioral science to motivate and assist voters in overcoming challenges to voting. Students get points by completing actions (like registering to vote) and inviting friends. Campus Hillels are already competing with each other on MitzVote’s customized Motivote, including through historic rivalries, to bring in others, register their classmates, make a voting plan and volunteer to work at the polls. Mitzvote has nearly 200 campuses signed up to participate and more than 150 Hillel professionals are trained on these organizing tools.”
Political bytes
*The Democratic County Central Committee voted during a Zoom meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 1, to put off until its Sept. 15 regular meeting a decision on a resolution that would condemn anti-Semitic hate speech.
The committee’s chairman, Will Rodriguez-Kennedy, said the Sept. 1 meeting had been called as a special meeting to consider endorsements of ballot propositions, and that other business, including “Resolution E” on hate speech would have to wait until Sept. 15.
During the public comment of the meeting, at which speakers could talk about any subject for 30 seconds each, numerous Palestinian speakers and pro-Palestinians contended that when they criticize Israel, they are not criticizing Jews. Instead, they said, they are criticizing a colonialist, white supremacist country.
One Jewish speaker, Jason Bercovitz, noted that just during the public comment section Israel had been called genocidal, and its treatment of Palestinians likened to the Nazi murder of 6 million Jews — both statements, in his opinion, examples of hate speech.
Further, Bercovitz rejected the argument made by some on the other side, that anti-Semitism doesn’t affect Jews alone, but refers to hostility against any Semitic-speaking peoples, such as the Arabs. Bercovitz recommended that people who would change the definition of anti-Semitism at least read the dictionary.
Kathy Muckley said criticizing Israel is no different than criticizing the United States. She said President Trump is criticized for putting children in cages; whereas Israel is criticized for killing children — a charge which in 30 seconds she did not back up, if she could.
Michael Gelfand, a committee member, said Arabs have been calling for the destruction of Israel since even before it became a state. If Palestinians won’t even admit that Jews are entitled to have a state, how can they say the intent of criticism of Israel is to clear the way for peace?
Resolution E, which is likely to be debated with similar heat on the evening on Sept. 15 reads:
Resolution Clarifying How Anti-Semitic Hate Speech Harms Jews and Other Zionists in the San Diego County Democratic Party
WHEREAS Zionism is defined as the human right to self-determination of the Jewish people in their homeland of Israel; and everyone agrees that criticism of Israel, including its leadership, policies and actions, is not anti-Semitic, but asserting that the Jewish state be targeted as an illegitimate, uniquely evil, and racist entity that deserves to be dissolved – based on criteria applied to no other country – goes well beyond the boundary of critique and qualifies as anti-Semitic hate speech which targets Jews individually and the Jewish people as a collective; and
WHEREAS the use of anti-Semitic hate speech has been regularly employed by anti-Israel activists both inside and outside the San Diego County Democratic Party using demeaning and degrading language about and towards Jews and supporters of Israel on social media and in Central Committee and Club meetings; including but not limited to the use of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, ancient blood libels, and dual-loyalty claims; and
WHEREAS this hate speech encourages discourse that becomes hostile to Jews, both inside and outside the San Diego County Democratic Party;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the San Diego County Democratic Party condemns and admonishes hate speech in all its forms against all ethnic and religious groups including all forms of anti-Semitic hate speech, including anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism, both within and without the San Diego County Democratic Party, when used against any individual, or to slur the aspirations of Jews, or those who support Jews; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the San Diego County Democratic Party share copies of this resolution with all locally elected Democratic officials and candidates, County Party officers, Regional Directors, Central Committee members, Club presidents, County delegates to the DSCC and DNC, and other appropriate officials and policy makers.
*The Jewish Community Foundation and the San Diego Foundation, the two largest philanthropic organizations in San Diego County, will jointly present an online election briefing by Scott Lewis, editor in chief of The Voice of San Diego, at 12 p.m. Wednesday, September 9, for those who register via this website. Five “big decisions” Lewis says San Diego voters are facing include: “1) Tax increase for affordable housing; 2) Police oversight; 3) Height limit in Midway Corridor/ Sports Arena; 4) School district election process; and 5) District 3 County Supervisor (and its many, many implications.)”
*Among endorsees of the Run Women Run organization, for whom campaign events are being organized, are these members of the Jewish community: Sarah Davis (78th Assembly District); Terra Lawson-Remer (3rd County Supervisorial District) and Barbara Bry (San Diego Mayor’s seat).
53rd CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT — San Diego City Council President Georgette Gomez has been endorsed in the race to succeed retiring Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) by Congresswoman Deb Haaland of New Mexico. “As San Diego City Council President, Georgette Gómez has stopped evictions and saved small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, taken decisive actions against Donald Trump’s hateful and divisive agenda, and fought for equal pay and better protection for working families,” Haaland said. “Georgette is the progressive champion that San Diego needs, and I am proud to endorse her campaign.”
9th SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT — Voice of San Diego reports a continuing pattern of trouble for Kelvin Barrios who is opposed by Sean Elo in the race to succeed City Councilwoman Georgette Gomez, who is giving up her seat to run for Congress. According to that publication, Barrios had failed to disclose at least $10,000 in political consulting income before taking a job at City Hall as an aide to Gomez. “The San Diego Ethics Commission doesn’t look kindly on officials who fail to reveal sources of income that might affect their judgment,” Voice of San Diego reported. “But it’s also likely that Barrios won’t be fined because he’s self-correcting (after reporters began sniffing around) and because the payments appear in other documents filed by the various campaigns he worked for. ” The district attorney is investigating an allegation that Barrios “embezzled money out of a Democratic Club,” the Voice report continued. Barrios has said he had reimbursed all the money in question.
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At the Synagogues
*Congregation Beth Israel has announced its High Holy Day services will be held on line, rather than in the sanctuary. ““We take our responsibility to ensure the health and safety of our congregants and guests seriously” said Senior Rabbi Jason Nevarez. “There is no way to replace the physical and emotional presence of attending the synagogue alongside our family, friends and congregants, especially during High Holy Days. However, these are unusual times and we must adapt, be realistic, and reimagine how to observe the High Holy Days safely, yet meaningfully, in times of this pandemic.” The decision to host the High Holy Days virtually wasn’t an easy one, but Congregation Beth Israel’s rabbis cite Pikuach Nefesh, a Jewish principle that places people’s safety over Jewish law or customs, as the reason to move away from welcoming people in person, according to a spokesperson. “Without the end of the pandemic in sight, the congregation’s leadership does not see how we can bring people into our facilities for the High Holy Days,” said Rabbi Nevarez. “Our first and foremost priority is the safety of our members and visitors, and we look forward to welcoming people back to in-person worship and programming when it is safe.”
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Temple Emanu-El also has decided to have services online. In its monthly bulletin, it has offered suggestions on what congregants can do under the circumstances to make the High Holy Days feel like High Holy Days:
Before Services
• Wearing synagogue-appropriate clothing
• Having flowers in the room as we usually see on the Bima
• Staying “off the grid” with all technology except for these virtual holiday times
• Calling or emailing a few congregant friends before services to wish them “L’Shana Tovah”
• Lighting Shabbat and Yom Tov candles on Erev Rosh Hashanah
• Kindling a yahrzeit candle on Erev Yom Kippur
During Services
• Placing your computer near items considered special or religious in your home, such as
photos, rocks, gems or family keepsakes.
• Separating your virtual celebration from your designated home workspace by going
outdoors or to another place inside
• Setting up a social distancing place for another family and yours in your garden; having them
bring their own food & drinks so they can be physically and emotionally with you.
• Being “outdoors” but together by social distancing with family or friends
• Standing and singing online together with Temple members
• Wearing a kippah or tallit
• Having your shofar handy to participate in this religious tradition during the service
• Playing a musical instrument
• Encouraging your children to participate during services
After services
• Going outside to feel the spaciousness of the night sky and looking at the stars to remember
our loved ones
*Rabbi Yoni Danziger of Beth Jacob Synagogue begins a three-part series at 8 p.m. tonight discussing the major components of Rosh Hashanah davening, Tonight it will be Malchuyos; Sept. 8 Zichronos, and Sept 15 Shofros. Attend via Facebook.
*Tifereth Israel Synagogue is sponsoring a blood drive, with the Bloodmobile to be stationed in its parking lot at 6660 Cowles Mountain Blvd., from 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 10. Appointments may be made via this website.
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Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com