By Barrett Holman Leak
WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 14 – Rising to meet the moment is something I have always tried to do in my lifetime and this morning was no exception – especially now what lay ahead. Breakfast conversation with leaders from Women of Reformed Judaism (WRJ) and from Religious Action Center (RAC) were buzzing with energy because of the schedule. But it was also a bit somber because of yet another antisemitic tragedy.
Because I am so focused on what is happening here on the ground as we prepare for RAC Lobby Day, I did not hear the news, until breakfast, about the terrorist murders of Jews celebrating Hanukkah on Sydney, Australia’s famous Bondi Beach.
After the initial shock and sadness, it caused me to feel even more determined to do justice in this world. To repair this broken world. It also reminded me of how unsafe we are as Jews and how we are not allowed to have even holidays like Hanukkah in peace. Yet, it also reminded me that just like the ancient Maccabees, we must continue to bring light into the world. We must light not only the candles of the hanukkiah but to also have the courage to be light in this world that has gotten so dark with antisemitism.
We started celebrating on Erev Hanukkah and celebrated again today, lighting the candles that symbolize God’s promise to sustain and protect and which let us know God is with us. We can and must retain the faith and remember that we have the right to self-determination, a right to live in our indigenous homeland of Israel and to live out our Jewish values in the face of an onslaught of antisemitism, vitriol, and hatred.
Embodying and speaking forth Jewish values of justice was the underlying energy that I could feel and which manifested when Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland) took the stage at the plenary for a conversation with Rabbi Jonah Pesner. Congressman Raskin is known for connecting his Judaism (in both faith and practice) to his political and public life. Like others, I was jumping with excitement as Congressman Raskin arrived at the hotel and made his way to a private room to take photographs with RAC and URJ folks.
On stage, the Jewish member of Congress, told us how he feels it is important for us to protect our democracy by adhering to the U.S. Constitution. Weaving humor with serious comments, he told us that we need to focus on doing what is right and be vocal about our Jewish values. He closed with answers to a lightning round of Hanukkah questions in which we learned that 1) his favorite Hanukkah gift is not a pair of socks but a copy of the U.S. Constitution 2) his favorite Hanukkah song is Adam Sandler’s “The Chanukkah Song” and 3) when it comes to latkes, he prefers applesauce over sour cream! We differ there.
I felt even more inspired and encouraged to lobby at the office of my representative. To march up the steps of Capitol Hill, open my mouth and speak about what I and other Americans want to see legislated on Israel, Immigration and ICE, the Affordable Health Care Act, and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
We finished the day with training sessions where we worked on the concise, targeted presentations we would be making at the offices of our Senators and Representatives (in our case Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, and in my case Representative Sara Jacobs of San Diego).
Tomorrow is the day. Lobby Day. I am ready!
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Barrett Holman Leak is a freelance writer based in San Diego.