Why I spent my last day of summer at RAC-CA Lobby Day

I chose to spend the last day of summer before 7th grade participating in RAC’s 2019 Sacramento Lobby Day. This was a very special experience for me. It was so incredible to be able to go and participate with my congregation, Or Ami, of Calabasas. I have always hated thinking about people who go to bed at night with no safe place to sleep and no food. Even though it’s hard to imagine, I can think about how horrible it would be if it were me and my family. I witnessed a lot of homelessness in San Francisco when I went with my grandpa a few years ago and I’ve wanted to do something about it ever since. I have a very fortunate life and I wish everyone could be as comfortable as me. When my family participates in a “Feed the Hungry” program with Or Ami, I see kids, some my own age, and I know they are hungry and it’s just because we were born into different families. This just isn’t right.

When I first heard about RAC’s Lobby Day, I didn’t want to go because there weren't other 12-year-olds going. Then I read about the bills we were going to lobby on and I got very excited because they were so meaningful to me. On Lobby Day, I thought I was just going to go and stand by while the adults did the talking. When the leader asked who wanted to speak in our small group meeting, I raised my hand and I was picked. I got to be part of the meeting with Senator Stern’s representative. I sat at the table full of adults and did my best to explain how we felt about the issues. Something I remember from the meeting is that his representative said, “It's the people like you that make a difference, when you show that you care, that's what makes a difference.” This made me realize that my efforts were not for nothing and we were actually doing something valuable and important. My last day of summer was not wasted!

Then the Senator himself arrived. He brought us to the Senate Floor and I got to see where they vote and where laws are made. The best part of the day was when Senator Stern heard about my presentation and asked me if I wanted to intern for him in his office near my home. I still cannot believe this happened!

I really appreciate the work that the RAC does for our state and how it represents our beliefs as Jews in the Reform Movement. Tikkun Olam is a Jewish value that means a lot to me; it means we need to work to make the world a better place and not just for us and our family or community, but for everyone. My synagogue and parents teach me a lot about the value of B’tzelem Elohim, which means we are all created in the image of God. We are all the same and deserve the same things and we have to keep working towards this goal.

Jonah Bookman, 12-years-old, is a member of Congregation Or Ami in southern California.