Mandana Dayani

This week, California’s legislature held its inaugural Jewish American Heritage Month celebration — the first event of its kind in state history recognizing notable Jewish Californians and honoring the contributions of the 1.2 million Jews who call California home. I was deeply honored to be included among the 14 honorees, and even more meaningful was sharing that recognition with my mother, Julie Platt. Watching her dedicate her life to Jewish leadership, advocacy, philanthropy, and community-building has profoundly shaped my own understanding of service and responsibility. Standing beside her during this moment was incredibly moving. I’m also grateful to have shared the day with inspiring friends and leaders, including MANDANA DAYANI and Elex Michaelson, and especially my longtime friend Jesse Gabriel, whose leadership of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus has been extraordinary. What he and the caucus have built in this moment is deeply meaningful for the Jewish community. A sincere thank you as well to State Senator Ben Allen and Assembly member Rick Zbur for their friendship, leadership, and unwavering allyship. One of the most powerful parts of the event was hearing leaders from Black, Latino, AAPI, Indigenous, Christian, and other caucuses express solidarity with the Jewish community and speak about Jewish contributions to California and the country at large. In a time of rising tension and division, moments of genuine partnership and recognition matter deeply. Very grateful my wife Courtney was there to experience it with me. A very special day I won’t forget.

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On Monday, the California State Assembly’s Jewish Caucus recognized a group of Jewish Americans for our contributions - the first time they’ve ever done this. I stood on the Capitol floor alongside leaders I deeply respect, and I kept thinking about the distance between those bus rides years ago and this room. Every single thing I’ve been able to build happened because of my identity - because of what being Jewish taught me about justice and memory and the cost of silence. Because of the sacrifices our parents made and the values they handed to us. Because when you grow up knowing what it means to lose a country, you don’t take the one that took you in for granted. More reflections on my day at the State Capitol in this week's issue of All of It: https://lnkd.in/gaAW5gDh

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