Subjects in this Column:
* Ray Lutz takes an unnecessary poke at Rep. Susan Davis
* Volunteers sought to interview Holocaust Survivors
* Poverty simulation Nov. 13 to learn how others live
* The Hive seeks donations of digital photos of San Diego Jewish life
Ray Lutz takes an unnecessary poke at Rep. Susan Davis
SAN DIEGO – In a long career covering politicians and political campaigns, I don’t believe I’ve ever heard – until now – of a candidate gratuitously antagonizing the supporters of a retiring office holder, but that’s what Ray Lutz did Thursday when he announced his interest in succeeding Congresswoman Susan Davis.
In a news release that he had formed an exploratory committee to determine whether he should run in the 53rd Congressional District, he added:
“I don’t believe Susan Davis has been progressive enough for the taste of most voters today, as she has avoided supporting single-payer healthcare reform, the Green New Deal, and would not help in many of our battles against San Onofre waste and closure.”
So, after a week or so of encomiums for Davis following her announcement that she wants to spend more time at her San Diego home with her husband, Dr. Steve Davis, after ten terms in Congress, Lutz decides that rather than to praise her public service, he should give vent to his pique that she hasn’t agreed with him on one of his signature causes: attempting to stop storing nuclear waste at San Onofre.
I don’t know Lutz, so I can’t be sure whether he simply made a mistake in the way he phrased his news release, or whether he purposefully took an unnecessary swipe at Davis’s record.
But I have some advice for him and any other would-be members of Congress. You will vote in the House of Representatives on many issues. Sometimes your fellow Congress member will vote with you, other times they will vote against you. One who opposes you on a bill today may be your ally on another bill tomorrow.
For example, Davis just voted with the House majority to block oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Preserve, which has been proposed by the Trump administration.
“It is hard to believe that some have already forgotten the lessons learned from the BP oil spill disaster,” said Davis, who is a member of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition. “It was only a few years ago that we saw millions of gallons of oil being spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, and, sadly, many areas are still recovering. Exactly 50 years ago, California suffered one of the worst oil spills in history off the Santa Barbara coast. Offshore oil drilling is not the answer to our country’s energy challenges. We can and we must invest in clean, renewable energy.”
I imagine Lutz and others mentioned in that race – including City Council President Georgette Gomez and former State Department assistant Sara Jacobs — would agree with Davis on this issue. So, my advice to all of them is to respect differences of opinion, don’t ever make it personal, and remain civil at all times.
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Volunteers sought to interview Holocaust survivors
Jessica Kort, senior manager of philanthropy and communications for the Leichtag Foundation, has issued an appeal for volunteers to help Holocaust survivors in San Diego County. “Many find themselves without an emotional support network and can experience a devastating sense of isolation further exacerbated by their declining health and other physical and mental issues,” she said.
The volunteers will conduct interviews with the survivors in their homes, seeking to ascertain what kind of assistance they may need in their daily living; how they are getting their meals and what they are eating; how often do they go out and what is their method of transportation; and do they need companion care.
The questions and topics for the volunteers will be provided by a third-party research partner, Kort says. A training session will precede the in-field interviews.
“Not only will you help meet the needs of this special population, but you will hear extraordinary stories, learn courage and perseverance by living example, and have the honor of sharing with very deserving individuals,” said Kort.
Kort may be contacted for more information at jessica@leichtag.org
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Poverty Simulation Nov. 13 to Learn How Others Live
Do you have any idea what it is like to be poor? Four organizations are sponsoring a Poverty Simulation from 9 a.m. to Noon, Wednesday, November 13, at Congregation Beth Israel, 9001 Towne Centre Drive.
They are the Jewish Community Foundation, Congregation Beth Israel, Interfaith Community Services, and the Alliance for Regional Solutions.
It will cost you $10 to learn what it’s like to be poor.
A message from Beth Sirull, president and CEO of the Jewish Community Foundation, quoted two past participants in the program on its impact.
“It taught me to be more empathetic to their individual situations,” said one person, not identified.
“I honestly can’t say enough about how impactful this event was,” said another. “I went through so many waves of emotion in just a couple of hours: stress, triumph, anxiety, compassion, and more.”
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The Hive Seeks Donations of Digital Photos of San Diego Jewish Life
Jenny Camhi, director of the Hive of San Diego, is collecting photos that may be used in a slide show depicting Jewish life in San Diego. She explains that “San Diego Jewish expression is unique. Rabbis surf, we have beach Shabbats, eat brisket tacos, and infuse yoga with Jewish thought.”
On October 17, the fifth night of Sukkot, the Hive will sponsor an evening including a photo exhibit about our local Jewish community, along with “farm-to-table tastings, live music, and deep discussion all with a flair that’s special to San Diego,” Camhi said.
If you wish to donate up to three digital photos depicting Jewish life in San Diego, please send them via email to Paige Milgrom-Hills at The Hive by Friday October 11th.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com