Combative and fiesty, Larry Sternberg relishes the impact of his Libertarian views. When running in a congressional primary for Rep. Robert Badham’s vacated District 47 seat, Sternberg advocated decriminalizing illegal drugs. Despite a lack of campaign resources, he stood out in a crowded field ultimately won by Christopher Cox. “It was fun; it was a crazy fling,” said the semi-retired Tustin accountant.
Among historically liberal American Jews, Sternberg’s conservative views — about abortion, welfare, property rights and regulation — defy conventional wisdom. Sternberg, 75, is convinced Jewish values begat conservative politics, a conclusion he forged during the Reagan presidency at a time of his own renewed interest in Judaism.
He calls on Jews to re-examine their politics in his new book, “Why Jews Should Not Be Liberals” (Ivy House, $20). “The author makes the impassioned and bracing argument that conservatism is the political philosophy most consonant with the value of the Torah,” Michael Potemra wrote in July’s National Review.
Larry Sternberg will speak on Nov. 15 at Temple Isaiah, 2401 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach, (949) 548-6900.
