Jewish Democratic
Club of San Diego
Educational Resources
Voter Guide - The Jewish Perspective
Jewish Democratic organizations produce voter guides that help voters evaluate ballot measures and candidates through the lens of Jewish values like tikkun olam (repairing the world), tzedakah (justice and charity), and pikuach nefesh (preserving life). These guides typically analyze how candidates' positions align with core Jewish principles such as social justice, civil rights, support for Israel, combating antisemitism, refugee and immigrant protection, and religious freedom. Organizations like the Jewish Democratic Council of America and California Jewish Democrats publish comprehensive voter guides before major elections, offering endorsements and detailed explanations of why certain candidates or ballot measures reflect Jewish ethical teachings. These resources help Jewish voters make informed decisions that honor both their political beliefs and their community's values, while recognizing that Jewish voters hold diverse political perspectives. The guides often include analysis of candidates' stances on healthcare access, education equity, environmental stewardship, and democratic institutions—issues viewed through the prism of Jewish social justice traditions.
How Government Works
How Government Works: A Quick Guide:
City Council - Your most local level of government, city councils make decisions about neighborhood issues like zoning, local policing, parks, libraries, and municipal budgets. Council members represent specific districts within the city and meet regularly to pass ordinances, approve development projects, and set local policies. In San Diego, the City Council has nine members who serve four-year terms.
County Supervisors - The Board of Supervisors governs unincorporated areas of the county and oversees county-wide services like public health, social services, libraries, and sheriff's departments. Supervisors represent geographic districts and control significant budgets for essential services. San Diego County has five supervisors who each represent about 660,000 residents and serve four-year terms.
State Legislature - California's legislature consists of two chambers: the State Assembly (80 members serving two-year terms) and the State Senate (40 members serving four-year terms). They create state laws on everything from education and healthcare to criminal justice and environmental policy. The legislature passes the state budget, confirms gubernatorial appointments, and can place measures on the statewide ballot. Representatives from your district advocate for local interests while shaping policies that affect all Californians.
Each level has increasing geographic scope and authority, with decisions at higher levels often setting frameworks that local governments must follow.
Jewish Involvement in Progressive Causes in America
American Jews have played a disproportionately significant role in progressive movements throughout U.S. history, driven by Jewish values of justice, equality, and the immigrant experience. In the early 20th century, Jewish labor organizers were instrumental in building the American labor movement, fighting for workers' rights, safe conditions, and fair wages in industries like garment manufacturing. During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s, Jewish activists marched alongside African Americans, with many participating in Freedom Rides and voter registration drives—tragically, activists Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner were murdered in Mississippi in 1964 for their civil rights work.
This progressive tradition stems from both religious teachings emphasizing social justice (tzedek tzedek tirdof - "justice, justice you shall pursue") and the collective memory of persecution and discrimination. Jewish Americans have been leaders in founding organizations like the ACLU, NAACP (which had significant Jewish involvement in its early years), and various civil liberties groups. They've championed causes including women's suffrage, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ equality, immigrant rights, and environmental protection.
However, Jewish political engagement is diverse and not monolithic—while many Jews align with progressive causes, there's also a robust tradition of Jewish conservatism and varied perspectives on issues like Israel, economic policy, and religious freedom. This rich history of civic engagement reflects Judaism's emphasis on tikkun olam and the responsibility to improve the world.
San Diego local, state and federal elected officials
San Diego District Maps and Representatives:
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS (San Diego County)
CA-49 (North County Coastal)
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Representative: Mike Levin (D)
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Includes: Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar
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CA-50 (North & East County)
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Representative: Darrell Issa (R)
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Includes: Escondido, Fallbrook, Ramona, Alpine, parts of El Cajon
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CA-51 (South & East County)
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Representative: Sara Jacobs (D)
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Includes: El Cajon, La Mesa, Chula Vista, National City, Imperial Beach, Downtown San Diego
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CA-52 (North-Central San Diego)
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Representative: Scott Peters (D)
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Includes: Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Mira Mesa, Carmel Valley, La Jolla, University City
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CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE DISTRICTS (San Diego Area)
SD-36 - Senator Steve Padilla (D) - South Bay
SD-38 - Senator Catherine Blakespear (D) - North County Coast
SD-39 - Senator Akilah Weber (D) - Central/East County
SD-40 - Senator Brian Jones (R) - East/North County
CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS (San Diego Area)
AD-75 - Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R) - North County
AD-76 - Assemblymember Brian Maienschein (D) - North Central
AD-77 - Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (D) - North County Coast
AD-78 - Assemblymember Chris Ward (D) - Central San Diego
AD-79 - Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D) - East County
AD-80 - Assemblymember David Alvarez (D) - South Bay
SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
District 1 - Nora Vargas (D) - South County
District 2 - Joel Anderson (R) - East County
District 3 - Terra Lawson-Remer (D) - Coastal North County
District 4 - Monica Montgomery Steppe (D) - Central/Southeast San Diego
District 5- Jim Desmond (R) - North County Inland
SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL (9 Districts)
District 1 - Joe LaCava (D) - La Jolla, Pacific Beach, UTC
District 2 - Dr. Jennifer Campbell (D) - Clairemont, Bay Park, Pacific Beach
District 3 - Stephen Whitburn (D) - Hillcrest, North Park, Balboa Park, Downtown
District 4 - Henry Foster III (D) - Southeastern San Diego
District 5 - Marni von Wilpert (D) - Black Mountain Ranch, Rancho Peñasquitos
District 6 - Kent Lee (D) - Mira Mesa, Kearny Mesa, Tierrasanta
District 7 - Raul Campillo (D) - Allied Gardens, Del Cerro, San Carlos
District 8 - Vivian Moreno (D) - Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights
District 9 - Sean Elo-Rivera (D) - City Heights, Kensington, Talmadge
Mayor of San Diego:
Todd Gloria (D) City Attorney: Mara Elliott (D)
