Category: Current Affairs

Davis Rabbi shares Reform Judaism Movement’s Statement on Starvation in Gaza

[Note: There are three parts to this post: an "unauthorized" preface by Alan Hirsch (his word), a message from Rabbi Jeremy Simons to Davis Congregation Bet Haverim (shared with permission), and then "Reform Judaism Movement’s (URJ+) Statement on Starvation in Gaza," which Rabbi Simons shared with his congregation].

Unauthorized preface by Alan Hirsch

Please read carefully both statements beyond headline and first paragraphs. These are likely “Straussian texts” after Maimonides – i.e. contain nuances and facts that may challenge the topic sentence. This I conjecture reflects the divergence in opinion on Israel within the liberal (‘reform’) part of Religious Jewish community that its leadership has to straddle. I believe the fact it only once references Netanyahu between two of them – and does not note his conduct of the war– is interesting. Don’t jump to conclusions- read closely and decide for yourself.

Message from Rabbi Simons:

Dear CBH members & friends,

I write to you having returned from vacation this morning. Like many of you, I have spent the last few weeks reading about the increasingly dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The situation is complex; however, one thing is not: allowing people to starve to death, especially children, is wrong. There are those, including cabinet members of the current Israeli government, who say the lives of any of the 20 remaining hostages are worth more than those of all Gazans combined. While I believe Hamas bears responsibility for this disaster, there is a difference: Hamas is evil, and Israel is not. We ought to hold Israel to a higher standard. Israel, and Israel alone, has the power to allow or prohibit aid. To keep hundreds of tons of food in storage while people die of hunger miles away is indefensible. I say that not because I hate Israel–God forbid–but because I love it. I will not allow Zionism to be redefined by bigots and zealots who say, proudly, that Jewish lives are the only one’s worth saving. Condemning a country’s actions and policies is not the same as condemning a country. Tochecha (rebuke) is necessary, as is demanding immediate humanitarian aid and an end to this war that will see the return of the remaining hostages. Below is a statement from the URJ that I urge you to read.

Rabbi Jeremy Simons
Davis Congregation Bet Haverim

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July 31, 2025
The General Plan won’t be a Genial Plan

"The goal is to manipulate

Heavy hands to intimidate

Snuff out the very idea of clarity

Strangle your longing for truth and trust

Choke wisdom sapience and prudence

The war economy is inviolable violently

Suppresses all intelligence that conflicts

With the stakes of those who drive it." -

From "Melodie is a Wound" by: Laetitia Sadier, Tim John Gane. Performed by Stereolab. Album: Instant Holograms On Metal Film. Released: 2025. https://youtu.be/Nndpg90P2O8?

July 30, 2025
Fireworks Disaster in Yolo County? Cancel All 4th of July Fireworks in Yolo County!

Late Tuesday evening (yesterday, July 1st) the following – minus the images – was sent to the Yolo County Board of Supervisors, the Davis City Council, Davis Fire, UCD Fir, Davis PD, Yolo County Sherriff, local and regional media, relevant Commissions and advisors, and individuals active in climate and climate equity… – TE

"Hi, I don't want to take more of your time than necessary due to the ongoing situation.

People and property have been harmed. People have evacuated. First responders are taking risks – YSAQMD said that firework smoke is worse than wildfire smoke. First responders are and will be exhausted.

Do you think people who evacuated through toxic fireworks smoke will enjoy a show of toxic fireworks smoke?

We already know the problems with fireworks shows: Danger to wild animals and pets, danger to people with PTSD. Pollution for everyone: The special colors in fireworks are not made of vegetable dye.

We have an alternative going forward: Drone shows – such as at Celebrate Davis this year – or how about the money is used for true patriotism: I notice that Esparto has a single public Purple Air Monitor. (Compare this to Davis). What's the state of air equity in households there? Perhaps the money used to pollute can instead be used to clean the air of wildfire fallout and prescribed burns in households there.

For now I call on all elected officials in Yolo County to immediately establish a complete ban of 4th of July fireworks shows in the County… and to not postpone them either!

Thank you,

Todd Edelman,

Davis

July 2, 2025
Davis, Improving Muslim, Arab and Palestinian Human Relations

By Scott Steward

When prompted by public comment or by the City Council, the Davis Human Relations Commission (HRC) assigns subcommittees to collect Davis residents feedback on what residents are experiencing, to get direct feedback about Davis residents' experiences, with conflict, discrimination or other relations.

Not surprisingly the Commission has heard much in the way of incidences of Islamic/Palestinian/Arab discrimination and Antisemitism (discrimination against Jews) in the last year and a half. Two subcommittees were formed in late 2024 and remain in place today, the Muslims, Arabs, Palestinians and their Allies (MAPA) subcommittee and the Antisemitism subcommittee. The MAPA report was completed and presented on April 2nd and recommendations from the report were refined and voted on by the commission on April 24th.

The Muslim Arab Palestinians and their allies (MAPA) Human Relations Commission Report is a compilation of “100s of conversations, and review of 100s of videos, photos, and screenshots from social media stories and posts, surveyed residents, DJUSD parents and staff, UCD faculty, staff and students of a relatively even mix of Muslims, Arabs, Palestinians and Ally respondents."

The report is a 91 page representative sample of all the Davis sources and some data from external sources.

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June 7, 2025
No Measure J/R/D amendments

It was disappointing to read the recent Davis Enterprise article regarding the City Council meeting item on Measure J/R/D on May 13th. To be clear, there was no “confusion” by the public of what was being discussed or what could have resulted from that meeting. The Council was deciding if and when the City would add “exemptions” to Measure J/R/D on a ballot. Any project including any of these exemption conditions would avoid a Measure J/R/D vote and disenfranchise Davis citizens from voting on it.

Also, there was no mention about the huge number of citizens who expressed their opposition to any Measure J/R/D “amendments” (exemptions) in person, by voicemail and by email at the meeting.

How coincidental, that this subject of “amending“ Measure J /R/D was raised just when the egregious Village Farms project is supposed to be the next project on the ballot? Unless of course, it was somehow “exempted” by an “amended” Measure J/R/D. Village Farms is a 1,800-unit project at Covell and Pole Line with a 200-acre floodplain, toxics from the adjacent unlined Old City Landfill, massive infrastructure costs, and enormous traffic and unsafe access issues.

To be clear, any amendment(s) to Measure J/R/D to exempt large projects which would annex in large parcels of ag land or open space for development, is for the benefit of the developers, not our community. Measure J/R/D already has exemptions built into it including for affordable housing.

While the Housing Element Update citizen committee evaluated addressing new housing needs, they did NOT make any recommendation to amend or add Measure J/R/D exemptions. That concept came up between the City Staff and the State. Was this Staff’s idea, or was Staff given that direction, and by whom, to offer the concept of amending Measure J/R/D?

With democracy on the line on a daily basis, we don’t need that happening here in Davis. The intention of Measure J/R/D is to give the public the ability to support good projects, and reject bad projects. Measure J/R/D is “The Citizens Right to Vote on Future Use of Open Space and Agricultural Lands”. It passed 83%:17% when last renewed in 2020. Measure J/R/D is democracy in action, and it does not need any “amendments” to weaken or invalidate it.

Eileen M. Samitz

May 26, 2025
DAVIS FREE SPEECH THREATENED

Photos show how community & political group tabling is dying in Farmer Market’s in its new park location.

By Alan “Lorax” Hirsch ahirsch@dcn.org

Community and political groups have been removed from tabling in the Farmers Market along the C street sidewalk to an isolated unshaded part of Central Park. This happened by edict on 4/22/25, a decision made with no community groups’ input. Groups are concerned there would be no foot traffic in new location…and make it a waste of their time to table. The city manager said 30+ people that do the volunteer tabling should just give market manager’s idea “a try.” (LINK to background piece)

The results are in from the first week of this experiment. Failure.

This is a photo at 11am (peak shopping) shows just 3 people visiting at the 7 tables of groups that took the time to set up in the unshaded and unpaved grassy part of the park near B Street. We heard from wheelchair bound shoppers that these tables were no longer accessible, like families with children in strollers.

It’s of note that only 7 groups set up tables compared to an average of 14/week for the previous month. No reason to waste volunteer time if no one comes by.

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April 29, 2025
Free Speech Curtailed in Davis

The market shed is largely empty of vendor on Wednesday— this photo is 4/22. But the city has allow market manager the power to force community group to be table as far as possible from other farm even outside the shed in the Sun or rain. There are 2 community groups tabling behind the photographer in this photo.

Farmers Market Discourages Community Engagement

By Alan “Lorax” Hirsch

(Alan passes out “love your neighbor” signs in the farmer’s market.)

Just when you thought our political rights could not be more threatened, this Trumpian zeitgeist seems to have come to Davis.

They are dramatically reducing visibility of community/free speech area at the Saturday farmer market by expelling these groups from their traditional tabling area along C street north of the restrooms. They will be displaced 1 block south and 2/3 of a block west to an unpaved part of Central Park. They will be isolated from commercial vendors currently set on sidewalk next to C Street- community & political groups will be in an unpaved grass area close to B street. An area that is unshaded and hot, so visitors won’t want to linger. This area is invisible to shoppers on C street as it will be hidden behind vendor’s trucks, banners and awnings. The Net: these Group’s tables won’t get any casual foot traffic.

The now lively Saturday market community area may go the way of the Wednesday free speech/community tablers. DFMA Market management decided to displace Wednesday tablers from under the awning to a similarly isolated, sunny & hot area far away from the half-empty market shed. These tablers got no foot traffic in that location – and the sun stressed the volunteers – so now there is little or no community tabling on Wednesdays.

One of the alleged reason for moving community group/ free speech areas 1 1/2 block to the shadeless B street side of the park is there is not enough room in current area. Here is one of the three bike racks recently installed by city that takes up shaded space that could be available for community group tabling.

Dropping the Bomb

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April 25, 2025
5th & J Streets – Emergency Situation

Open Letter to Davis City Council

Davis City Council,

Another collision at 5th & J Street today. Car vs. Bike.

Right after I called for Jersey barriers again at Council last night after the last collision.

This is an emergency situation. Two collisions just this week, four in one week several weeks back. Put up the goddamned Jersey barriers already, like today, like tomorrow. Recognize that people are getting hurt at an alarming rate here. I made a mistake being OK that the changes are coming after calling for Jersey barriers immediately after the four accidents a few weeks back. We can't wait.

Here's how to do it: put Jersey barriers on the left of each directional lane leading up to the intersection, and along the left-turn lane. The left-turn lanes will face each other, so block the west to south lane, and allow east to north. Put a 4' gap on each side for peds & bikes at crosswalks. Do this also at I Street and K Street. Similar site problems, and drivers will just cut over to I or K if J is blocked. At I and K Street reverse which left turn lane is blocked, so cars can only go west to south. This allows people to get into the neighborhood from 5th either direction, but prevents a 'face-off' between cars in the two left-turn lanes. Then slap a vertical yellow reflector on the east and west ends of the Jersey barriers to prevent cars from hitting them.

This has been going on for years, but the rate of collisions has increased greatly recently. I live near the corner of 3rd & J Streets. 3rd is a bit less busy but still an arterial. I can't recall ever seeing a collision there. In over 35 years. I'm sure it's happened, but it's rare. So it isn't just bad drivers, it's the intersection.

People keep asking why. 5th & J has inherent site problems. These can't be fixed with shrub trimming – there are poles and trees in just the wrong places. Going south to cross, you have to stop back of the stop line, then pull forward up to the bike lane, stop, and then pull across. It's the only safe way to do it, but most people who don't use it regularly don't know this, nor is stopping twice a normal way to cross a street. You get someone who pulls forward from the stop line with their site line blocked in just the wrong places, combined with a speeding car on 5th, and BOOM. And it happens often.

Do it! Fix it! Today! Now! No later than tomorrow!

Alan C. Miller

Old East Davis

April 16, 2025
Davis’ Leaders Must Stop Protecting Criminals from Law Enforcement and Start Protecting Women from Violence

Commentary by Heather Caswell

April 11, 2025

In the spirit of compassion, community and protecting women from violence, Davis needs to change the narrative around prosecuting repeat offending, mentally disturbed criminals who have created the worst safety crisis in our city’s history.

Since last summer, when I had my life threatened twice at my store by a mentally disturbed homeless man who had been arrested and released dozens of times for similar criminal behavior, I have spoken to nearly one hundred Davis women about downtown safety. Almost every one of them had a frightening personal story to relate, like a friend who had a deranged man shouting angry threats for 20 minutes at her and a colleague as they sat outside eating lunch.

My customer Jana Tutan, a lifelong Davis resident and a 73 year old attorney retired from the California State Attorney General's office, told me that she and her friends now go out to eat in Winters to avoid the insecurity they feel as seniors in downtown Davis.

Jana went to UC Davis Law School and has been committed to civil rights her whole career. “I never thought a time would come when I would feel unsafe in downtown Davis in broad daylight,” she told me. “Our rights have been short changed in favor of extending every possible accommodation to a small group of potentially dangerous men.”

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April 12, 2025
Errant Water Permit Puts Good Humus Farm at Risk

By Scott Steward

Boundary Bend was cited by the County in August 2023 for its non-permitted well drilling in the Hungary Hollow region of Capay Valley. So how, after two years of evidence showing that the well is out of compliance, is County staff recommending upholding Boundary Bends agricultural well permit # 23-022W? The County and Boundary Bend know that the new well is too big and too close to Good Humus farm.

Good Humus and other family farms have already had to modify their wells to sustain their table crop farms. Nearly three generations of care have gone into the land craft of organic farming in Hungary Hollow. Without much help, these farms have entered our region's food markets and succeeded in producing some of the healthiest food on earth. Capay has inspired farm-to-fork land care nationally.

Boundary Bend (application #23-022W) took advantage of one-time replacement well criteria that the county was obliged to put in place for farms and residents short on water following the seven-year drought. Replacement well designation was allowed for existing agricultural operations and drinking water. Boundary Bend did not meet the criteria for a replacement well. Instead of reapplying as a new well, Boundary hired lawyers at Kronick to lean on the county.

Here are some of the facts that show that Boundary Bend application #23-022W did not and does not qualify for the approved "replacement well" status. The application:

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April 6, 2025