Today's mail just arrived and lo and behold there was a lovely Happy Passover card in the mail from none other than my local Assemblyman, Lloyd Levine.
Inside was a beautiful four-color picture Lloyd took himself at the Sea of Galilee in 2006, according to the caption. And facing it, the lovely sentiment: "Peace and best wishes to you and yours on Passover"...Below that it said: Assembly Lloyd Levine/Candidate for State Senate. The cover states in the postmark Lloyd Levine for Senate and at the bottom is the proper identifier: Paid for by Friends of Lloyd Levine ID #1278106.
I guess Lloyd, as I had suspected previously, is Jewish. And I guess he or his friends have possession of a mailing list that presumes I too am Jewish.
So my question is what does being Jewish have to do with whether I vote in the Democratic primary for the 23rd Senate District for Levine or for his opponent, Assemblywoman Fran Pavley.
I don't know whether Pavley is Jewish or not (I think not) or whether either candidate will be participating in seders tonight when the holiday begins. I honestly don't care but I do have strong feelings about race, gender, religion politics. They offend me.
What I care about is the character and integrity of the candidate and whether they are open and honest about what they believe in and are willing to bend their beliefs in the face of political realities to support policies that make life better for society as a whole.
I haven't decided yet which candidate I'll vote for. Both are very liberal and very much party-line voters in the Assembly. Neither boasts of being endorsed by any Jewish organizations, although Pavley seems to have more personal endorsements of Jewish politicians, if people's religion can be identified by their names, the same presumption that has me on Levine's Jewish mailing list.
Instead of wishing me Happy Passover, I wish Lloyd would have sent me a mailer saying he would stop voting for higher taxes and more spending, that he would support legislation to create competitive districts that brought more moderates of both parties into office and that he would put the common good ahead of ideology, partisanship and personal advancement.
I must be dreaming. Perhaps it's the good feeling that comes with these holy days celebrating the Jewish struggle for freedom that has me hoping for politicians who work first and foremost to create healthy economic climates for hard-working people, good schools that serve the children, safer streets, better public transportation systems and all the other basic needs of a modern community.
In any case, Happy Passover to you too, Lloyd, and to everyone who celebrates this holiday.
Ron Kaye is the former editor of the Los Angeles Daily News where he spent 23 years helping to make the newspaper the voice of the San Fernando Valley and fighting for a city government that serves the people and not special interests.
Twice in recent years, Los Angeles Magazine listed Kaye among the city’s most influential people, specifically in the area of politics. Kaye has been variously described in the media as the “accidental anarchist,” “the Patrick Henry of the San Fernando Valley” and a “passionate populist.” He is now committed to
carrying on his crusade for a greater Los Angeles as an ordinary citizen. Previously, Ron worked at the Los Angeles Herald Examiner,
Associated Press, Cleveland Plain Dealer and The Australian as well as papers
in Fairbanks, Alaska and Yakima, Wash. He also wrote for Newsweek magazine, The Guardian in London and the Naitonal Enquirer.
Poor Lloyd. He probably didn't even send it. It was more than likely his dad, Larry. Lloyd's a good guy and I like him a lot.
I got a Passover card from Lloyd and I'm not Jewish, my last name is comparable to Smith or Jones and I don't live in his district. Maybe Larry had some non-Jewish person compose his list of people to send cards to.
Stupid political stunt. Wouldn't Jews be offended if a Catholic pol send them Christmas cards?
I too went to the Sea of Gallilee, and stayed on a kibbutz there -- but as a Christian. It was just the nicest place to stay, an immersion in the local Israeli culture, and it's even more significant for Christians as the place where Jesus recruited the "fishermen" as his disciples, etc.
In reality, it was interesting and moving to feel the melding of the two cultures, Christian biblical and modern Israeli. The fresh fruits and veggies served at all the buffets there was the best part -- never had such fresh baby cucumbers and tomatoes. However, I think the owners of the place assumed we were a Jewish family from our name; I'm not sure they'd have welcomed open Christians, but I recommend the experience.
I think the poster who says Jews would be offended by a Christian card are right, and I too wish we could get past religious/gender/ race politics. But unfortunately in L A, with the Hispanics voting strictly down racial lines and supporting policies (e.g., pro and against SP40, whether asking for legal status is "profiling" or just taking back our streets and safety), and usually African Americans doing the same, if the Jews didn't use their demographic base, they probably wouldn't have a chance to gain a foothold in local politics. It's too bad, but it's just reality.
While I'm disappointed to have not received Passover wishes from Assemblyman Mike Feuer, I agree that we would be better served if religion were left out of American politics, particularly as we march toward November. As I've said before, "It has been quite nauseating listening to politicians pander their religious beliefs. The person I vote for does not have to share my religious beliefs, so long as they share my values."
Ron - what are you, naive? Lloyd Levine? Yes, he's Jewish. And you're surprised he sends you a passover card? Are you surprised when you get a Christmas card from the goyim? Sheesh...grow up.