A toast to Governor Newsom from “L’chaim! Jews Against the Death Penalty”

The thousands of members of “L’chaim! Jews Against the Death Penalty” from across the United States, Israel, and the world salute Governor Gavin Newsom for moving to commute the death sentences of 548 Californians, potentially saving all of their lives. Governor Newsom has recognized what death penalty abolitionist Elie Wiesel famously stated and knew from experience: “Death should never be the answer in a civilized society.” The outgoing governor has realized that a society that condemns itself to death condemns itself infinitely more. In honor of his commitment to life, members offer the following aptly named toast to Governor Newsom: L’chaim!

Since its founding in 2020, the members of L’chaim, of which I serve as co-founder, have corresponded with individuals on death rows across the nation with active execution dates, regardless of their spiritual practice. This has included Christa Pike, with whom I have corresponded for well over a year. As I have published, communicating with Christa throughout her torturous ordeal has reminded me of the lesson I learned so well years ago when I served as a Jewish prison chaplain: individuals on death row are human beings, not “monsters.” 

L’chaim members also correspond with all Jews living on any death row, regardless of whether or not they have an execution date. L’chaim therefore has been in touch with many Jewish individuals on California’s death row. One such individual, who goes by his Hebrew name of Binyamin (“Benjamin”), sent L’chaim this message in response to our note of “mazel tov” just after hearing the news of the saving of his life:

“Thank you, my brother. One giant step forward.  Hashem [God] blessed His children in California today.”  

When I asked Binyamin if I could share his message, this was his response:

“Absolutely, my brother. Let everyone know God will help you; just never doubt Him. NEVER GIVE UP! Blessings Binyamin”

Binyamin’s response is a poignant reminder of what L’chaim has been articulating in the Jewish press in California for years: that the death penalty is a “Jewish issue,” even in California. Indeed, as recently as 2024, new evidence came to light demonstrating that Jews were excluded from Alameda County’s death penalty juries for decades. Texas’ execution of a Jewish man – and L’chaim correspondent – on World Day Against the Death Penalty in 2023, as well as the federal government’s handing down a death sentence to the Tree of Life Synagogue Shooter in Pittsburgh, not to mention the recent monstrous death penalty laws that Israel’s Knesset has passed, are but just a few reminders that the death penalty should be on the front of Jewish hearts and minds the world over. 

In the United States, many Christian proponents of capital punishment indeed seek to justify the death penalty by its presence in the Hebrew bible. As one person told me directly, many identify Jews mainly as the people who believe in “an eye for an eye.” This simplistic misreading of modern Jewish stances on the death penalty is insulting at best and dangerous at worst. As L’chaim has shared in the Jewish Forward, recent antisemitic acts of hate in the wake of Israel’s death penalty laws have highlighted this reality.

The members of L’chaim have firmly and publicly reiterated time and again the various reasons why Judaism in the 21st century must unconditionally reject the death penalty. Various moral, ethical, and cultural considerations justify this conclusion. Far from any so-called “deterrence,” the death penalty is nothing more than veiled vengeance par excellence. It is an abject abomination that only perpetuates the cycle of violence and killing that has plagued humanity since time immemorial.

In one of the most remarkable illustrations of the connection of this issue to the Jewish community, just earlier this week, some 50 family members of victims of California capital crimes signed an open letter urging Newsom to commute all of the state’s death sentences. Those individuals included Rabbi Suzanne Singer, Rabbi Emerita of Temple Beth El in Riverside, CA. Rabbi Singer. Rabbi Singer signed the letter in loving memory of her sister Michele Singer-Reiner and brother-in-law Rob Reiner, of blessed memories. Rabbi Singer has been an outspoken death penalty abolitionist. L’chaim is extremely proud to count her among its ranks. Here is an excerpt of the letter that Rabbi Singer and other murder victims’ family members signed:

“While we each have a unique story, our experiences with the criminal legal system and our struggles with grief and trauma have united us in our opposition to the death penalty. We are asking you today to complete your work to advance the end of the death penalty in California by granting universal clemency to all people sentenced to death in [the state].”

Amein.

Well over seventy percent of world nations have abolished the death penalty in law or practice. It is high time for California, Israel, Iran and the world to do the same. The fact that the commutation announcement in California came on the very same day that not one, but three executions took place across the United States demonstrates the urgency and veracity of this need. May Governor Newsom’s courageous stance be the harbinger of a newfound commitment to life.

Cantor Michael J. Zoosman, MSM

Jewish Prison Chaplain

Co-Founder: L’chaim: Jews Against the Death Penalty

Advisory Committee Member: Death Penalty Action