“I Swear: Politics Is Messier Than My Minivan” – Join Us This Friday Evening, April 21, at 7:00 p.m. When Rep. Katie Porter Speaks At Shabbat Alive Services
04/17/2023 10:39:24 PM
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Dear Haverim,
Celebrate “Shabbat Alive,” our jazz and pop musical service with our band and Young Cantors, this Friday evening at 7:00 p.m., when our speaker will be Congresswoman Katie Porter. It’s always an evening of both political humor and a serious look at domestic and international issues when “Katie” speaks at University Synagogue.
Rep. Porter will describe her recent Codel (Congressional Delegation) trip to Israel during an incredibly tumultuous time of cross-border conflict and domestic protests.
She will also address important issues that our polarized country faces politically, domestically, economically and with foreign adversaries.
Prepare your own questions because, as always, after Rep. Porter’s remarks, she’ll enthusiastically respond to your concerns.
The title of this letter is the title of her new, thought-provoking, and hilarious book “I Swear: Politics Is Messier Than My Minivan.” As the first single parent in Congress with young children, Rep. Porter describes balancing parental responsibilities with Congressional disorganization, a “Boys’ Club” mentality, and an appalling ignorance, by some of her colleagues and other political and corporate “actors,” of the most basic knowledge of the issues.
Learn the story of this Iowa farmer’s daughter who went to Yale, Harvard Law School, and then taught law at several universities, including UCI. Rep. Porter’s primary work in Congress has focused on families, government oversight, the environment, political corruption, protecting consumers from waste, fraud and abuse, and holding the banking industry to higher standards.
Please join us at 6:00 p.m. this Friday, April 21, for Shabbat Dinner (click here to RSVP) and 7:00 p.m. “Shabbat Alive” services with Rep. Katie Porter, as we celebrate a Shabbat of joy, music, laughter and learning. (Click here to RSVP for our in-person services. If you want to watch on Livestream, there’s no need to RSVP – just click the link on our homepage at the time of the service or anytime thereafter.)
In the meantime, please send an email to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, imprisoned in Russia and falsely accused of espionage, at freegershkovich@gmail.com. Along with Paul Whelan and so many others, Putin hopes that his latest kidnapping and hostage-taking will be seen as a sign of Presidential power, rather than pathetic depravity.
Over the last few days, the National Press Club has awarded Gershkovich its highest honor for press freedom, Natan Sharansky (who was imprisoned like Gershkovich in Moscow’s notorious Lefortovo prison) released a video of support, and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales spoke out saying “journalism is not a crime.”
We will remember Evan, the son of Russian Jews, at Shabbat services each week until he is free by dedicating our “Elijah’s Chair” to him. Draped in a tallit, our Elijah’s Chair has always been on our bima as a reminder to work for “Tikkun Olam,” the improvement of the world. The chair served for many years as a way of working to free Soviet Jewry and then took on a broader meaning. Evan’s imprisonment reminds us that Russian anti-Semitism and totalitarianism are still a great threat, and, along with Russia’s war in Ukraine, must end.
So, support our “brother” Evan and please send him an email today.
Shavua Tov/Have a thoughtful and activist week,
Rabbi Arnie Rachlis
Tue, July 29 2025
4 Av 5785
About Rabbi Arnie Rachlis
Rabbi Arnold Rachlis has been the spiritual leader of University Synagogue since 1991, guiding us since 1987 from a small havurah looking for a more modern approach to Judaism to a 600+ families center for dynamic and innovative Judaism. He leads with a focus on a humanistic philosophy that sees God not as a supreme being, but as inspiration, creativity, conscience, consciousness and motivating us toward human growth and social justice. Rabbi Rachlis has created a joyous environment which affirms individuality and is inclusive – men and women, gay and straight, Jewishly learned and not, Jewish and not Jewish – welcoming all to learn, explore and connect at University Synagogue.
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