California Legislative Jewish Caucus

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The California Legislative Jewish Caucus (CLJC) is a bipartisan, bicameral group of state legislators primarily dedicated to Jewish institutional interests, promoting Holocaust education and remembrance, countering antisemitism and anti-Israel narratives, supporting Israel in schools and college campuses, and strengthening California–Israel economic, technological and cultural ties. It was established in 2012.[1][2][3][4] The CLJC employs staff paid through the State Assembly but is not a separate legal entity and has no independent budget or bank account. Its “budget” accomplishments (e.g. $80 million/year for 2024-25)[5] are state funding allocations it successfully advocates for in the annual California Budget Act.[6][7][8]

The CLJC successfully advocated for the incorporation of the IHRA definition of antisemitism in California's K-12 Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum (ESMC).[9][10][11] Since 2021, the CLJC's legislative efforts related to Jewish institutional interests and Israel have intensified alongside broader Tikkun Olam themed social-justice programs.[12][13][14] The CLJC has been criticized for misleading, unethical, and undemocratic legislation, mostly in support of Israel.[15][16][17]

Origins and early Israel economic mandate

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In 2012 Assemblymembers Marty Block, Bob Blumenfield, and Speaker John A. Pérez established the CLJC as the nation's first official legislative Jewish caucus, initially comprising eight Senators, three Assembly members, and three non‐Jewish associate members—twelve Democrats and two Republicans—while convening the monthly “Capitol Knesset” for Jewish legislators, staff, and advocates to network and discuss policy priorities.

Its first major legislative initiative was spearheading SCR 121 (2014), formally endorsing the California–Israel memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed March 5, 2014 by Governor Jerry Brown and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which noted $4.2 billion in two‐way trade in 2013 and committed both parties to:

  1. Foster economic cooperation and development
  2. Facilitate joint industrial research and development
  3. Enhance business relationships, educational exchanges and friendship
  4. Convene bilateral public–private partnerships in sectors such as alternative energy, environmental technology, health, and agriculture

By codifying support for the MOU into state resolutions (SCR 121 2014; SCR 25 2015; SB 1376 2016), the CLJC positioned itself as the de facto conduit for California–Israel economic collaboration.[1][2][18][19]

SCR 121 (2014) and SCR 25 (2015) both include the explicit assertion that collaboration with Israel under the California-Israel MOA “will foster peace and democracy in the Middle East”.[20][21]

2015-2017 Modest allocations, anti-BDS legislation

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In February 2016, CLJC introduced AB 2844, also known as California's anti-BDS law, prohibiting companies from “participating in a boycott of the State of Israel, known as the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement”.[22]

  • 2015-16 Allocation: The caucus secured $2 million for the Museum of Tolerance's "Tools for Tolerance" K-12 educator training program and expanded the Nonprofit Security Grant Program by $2 million.[1]
  • 2016-17 Allocation: The California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program (CSNSGP) allocates $4.5 million to CLJC.[23]

In 2016, CLJC's website symbol hadn't switched to a multi-colored Jewish star and instead featured an Israel flag.[24]

2017-2019: JPAC partnership, increased allocations, ethnic studies guardrails

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Early in this period, CLJC established a formal partnership with JPAC (Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California).[25]

  • 2017-18 Allocation: $11.7 million. This package added Holocaust-survivor social-service subsidies and broadened hate-crime prevention initiatives, signaling that the caucus could marshal eight-figure support
  • 2018-19 Allocation: The caucus secured $15.3 million funding including $10 million for Museum of Tolerance maintenance, $3.6 million for Holocaust Survivor assistance programs, and other smaller allocations.[26][27]

During this period CLJC worked to include "guardrails" in the ethnic studies legislation to “provide clear direction to local school districts and the California Department of Education that anti-Jewish and anti-Israel content cannot be included in the teaching of ethnic studies" [28][3][29] and to incorporate the IHRA definition of antisemitism in the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum (ESMC).[10] [11]

2019-2020: Historic allocation surge

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2019 saw the passage of Assembly Bill 1548, which formally established the California Nonprofit Security Grant Program—legislation that would become a cornerstone of the caucus’s advocacy work in subsequent years. [30]

- 2019-20 Allocation: Historic surge to $64.3 million, including $15 million to Nonprofit Security Grant Program, $6 million for Holocaust Museum expansion, and $23.5 million for Jewish camp reconstruction after wildfires.[31][32]

2021-Present: Large allocation increase, greater legislative output and broader social justice appeals

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State Budget Allocations

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2020-21

Pandemic belt-tightening reduced new wins to roughly $31.9 million, but the caucus still protected core survivor services and kept security-grant funding flowing even as many discretionary programs were slashed statewide.

The 2021–22 CLJC state budget rebounded with $80 million. It allocated:[33]

  • $50 million for the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program (CSNSGP), providing up to $200,000 per high-risk nonprofit site, including synagogues and other vulnerable institutions.
  • $10 million for the Museum of Tolerance (Simon Wiesenthal Center) to build an interactive antisemitism exhibit on its third floor.
  • $5.7 million for Jewish Family Services of Los Angeles (JFSLA) to purchase a permanent Van Nuys site for its SOVA Community Food and Resource Program.
  • $2.5 million to expand Holocaust Museum Los Angeles—adding to the $6 million the CLJC had secured in 2019–20 for the same institution.
  • $1 million to renovate and preserve the Tauber Holocaust Library operated by JFCS Bay Area.
  • $8 million for the Enhanced Services Program for Asylees (ESPA), supporting case management for newly arrived refugees and asylum-seekers through Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS).
2022–23

Lawmakers declared a “record year,” locking in $141.2 million across seven projects, including $36 million for a three-year Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program and $40 million to finish camp-rebuild work.[34][35]

2023–24

Facing a $30 billion deficit, overall caucus wins initially fell to about $24.7 million. Still, $20 million went to a scaled-back security-grant round, and Governor Newsom later added another $20 million in emergency funds after the October 7 attack to nearly double that pool to $44.7 million. [36][37][38]

2024–25

The legislature took the unprecedented step of approving a two-year, $160 million commitment — $80 million per year — locking in long-term stability for the security-grant program and adding smaller sums for Holocaust-education consortia and asylum-seeker services

Key elements include:

  • $80 million annually for CSNSGP, marking the first multi-year commitment to the program and guaranteeing sustained funding for high-risk nonprofits, houses of worship, LGBTQ+ centers, and reproductive-health clinics.
  • $5 million to continue and expand the California Teachers Collaborative on Holocaust and Genocide Education, supporting curriculum development and teacher training across 14 leading institutions.
  • $79 million reappropriation for the San Diego Rapid Response Network (SDRRN), enabling Jewish Family Service of San Diego's Asylum-Seeker Shelter and related services to carry over unspent funds into the new fiscal year.[5][39][40]

Legislation

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2021

AB 57 (Gabriel): Implements State Auditor recommendations to improve hate-crime, anti-Semitic and anti-Israel data collection and reporting by law enforcement and the California Department of Justice. Introduced 2021; advanced in Assembly Public Safety Committee.[41]

AB 587 (Gabriel): Requires social-media platforms to publicly disclose content-moderation practices related to hate, disinformation, extremism, harassment, antisemitic, and anti-Israel content. Sponsored by CLJC; supported by ADL, JPAC, AJC, and other groups.[42][43]

AB 1126 (Bloom): Establishes the California Commission on the State of Hate & Violent Extremism, monitoring anti-Semitic and anti-Israel activity and recommending policies to the Legislature and state agencies.[44]

SB 693 (Stern): Develops and promotes resources for teacher training and curriculum through the creation of the Governor's Council on Genocide and Holocaust Education, which includes the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Simon Wiesenthal Center (Museum of Tolerance), USC Shoah Foundation, Jewish Family and Children's Services (JFCS) Holocaust Center, Holocaust Museum LA, Facing History and Ourselves, and the Jewish Partisan Educational Foundation (JPEF).[45][46][47][48]

2024

SB 1287 (Glazer): Requires public colleges and universities to update and expand student-conduct codes to prevent behavior defined as harassment, intimidation, violence and discrimination, particularly against pro-Israel students by pro-Palestinian activists. [49][50][4]

AB 2925 (Friedman): Requires that any campus that chooses to provide DEI training must include training about anti-Semitic and anti-Israel discrimination against Jews. [4] [46] [51]

AB 3024 (Ward): Stop Hate Littering Act criminalizes distribution of pro-Palestinian and other flyers, posters, or symbols defined as hateful or as being intended to terrorize. [52][53][54] [55]

SB 1277 (Stern): Establishes a statewide professional-development program under the Department of Education for grades 7-12: The California Teachers Collaborative for Holocaust and Genocide Education, which includes the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Simon Wiesenthal Center (Museum of Tolerance), USC Shoah Foundation, Jewish Family and Children's Services (JFCS) Holocaust Center, Holocaust Museum LA, Facing History and Ourselves, and the Jewish Partisan Educational Foundation (JPEF).[56][57][58][46][59]

2025

AB 715 (Zbur, Addis): Creates a state Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator to monitor K-12 and prohibits historical narratives deemed anti-Israel by the Coordinator. Prohibits accounts that minimize the nature and extent of antisemitic incidents and violence as determined by Pro-Israel organizations. Prohibits comparisons of Israel with Nazi Germany and Jews or Israelis with Nazis. States that language or content which “directly or indirectly questions Israel's right to exist” amounts to discriminatory conduct toward Jewish students. Prohibits “dual loyalty” assertions that American Jews have loyalty to both Israel and the US. Strengthens Uniform Complaint Process. [60][61][62]

AB 1468 (Zbur; Addis): Narrows high school ethnic-studies curriculum to a U.S.-only framework, excluding global perspectives on colonialism and Palestine-related education. Introduces new “guardrails”, public-hearing and wait period requirements for every ethnic-studies course and instructional material. [63][64][65]

Broader social justice appeals

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Since 2021, CLJC's legislative efforts related to Jewish institutional interests and Israel have intensified alongside broader social-justice programs—most visibly its annual Tikkun Olam bill packages that translate core Jewish values into policy proposals on homelessness, mental health, environmental justice, affordable housing, and algorithmic fairness. [12] [13] [14]

Leadership 2025–2026

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Co-Chairs: Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco).

Vice Chairs: Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay), Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park).[66]

Criticism

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CLJC legislation has been criticized by the President of the Council of UC Faculty Associations, California Teachers Association, CAIR and others for stifling criticism of Israel, censoring Palestine and creating a climate of fear.[15][67][68]

The Washington Legal Foundation and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit concluded that CLJC's AB 587 violates the First Amendment.[16]

CLJC and its co-chair Scott Wiener have been criticized by Jewish Voice for Peace for "twist[ing] criticism [of Israel] into antisemitism"[69] and for opposing a Gaza cease-fire resolution in Sacramento.[70]

CAIR has criticized CLJC for commending California State University Chancellor Mildred García placing Sonoma State University President Mike Lee on leave [71] after Lee announced support for an academic boycott of Israel in agreement with protesters, Students for Justice in Palestine,[72][73][74] and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which Wiener described as "horrific and wrong".[75][76][77]

A Counterpunch article describes CLJC legislation as “designed to protect Israeli apartheid and genocide“.[17]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "The California Legislative Jewish Caucus" (PDF).
  2. ^ a b "SCR 121 Senate Concurrent Resolution - INTRODUCED". www.leginfo.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  3. ^ a b "Jewish Caucus Leaders Issue Statement on Ethnic Studies Legislation". California Legislative Jewish Caucus. 2020-08-31. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
  4. ^ a b c "Jewish Caucus Successfully Passes Four Priority Bills Through the California State Legislature | California Legislative Jewish Caucus". jewishcaucus.legislature.ca.gov. 2024-09-06. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  5. ^ a b "JPAC and Jewish Caucus Secure Record $80 Million for Security Grants Protecting At-Risk Institutions – JPAC". Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  6. ^ "California Jewish Legislative Caucus Leadership Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer". 9 May 2013.
  7. ^ "California Jewish Legislative Caucus Leadership Foundation, Full Filing - Nonprofit Explorer". 9 May 2013.
  8. ^ "Salaries and Expenditures | California State Assembly".
  9. ^ "CA State Board of Education Approves Ethnic Studies Curriculum". 19 March 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Jesse Gabriel Provides Update on Ethnic Studies Curriculum". 25 February 2021.
  11. ^ a b "Jesse Gabriel Provides Update on Ethnic Studies Curriculum in Webinar". 28 September 2021.
  12. ^ a b "Jewish Caucus Announces 2021 Priority Bill Package | California Legislative Jewish Caucus". 6 May 2021.
  13. ^ a b "California's Jewish Caucus pursues 'tikkun olam' with new slate of legislative goals | California Legislative Jewish Caucus". 10 May 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Jewish Caucus Announces 2024 Priority Legislation | California Legislative Jewish Caucus". 20 May 2024.
  15. ^ a b "CUCFA Opposes AB 715 – The Council of UC Faculty Associations". 2025-06-27. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  16. ^ a b Lammi, Glenn (2024-09-04). "Ninth Circuit Holds California Law Likely Violates Social Media Platforms' Free-Speech Rights". Washington Legal Foundation. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  17. ^ a b Winograd, Rick Sterling-Marcy (2025-07-01). "California Legislation Designed to Protect Israeli Apartheid & Genocide". CounterPunch.org. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  18. ^ "SB 1376 Senate Bill - INTRODUCED". www.leginfo.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  19. ^ "SCR 25: Trade: Israel: memorandum of understanding. | Digital Democracy". calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  20. ^ "SCR 121 Senate Concurrent Resolution - INTRODUCED".
  21. ^ "SCR 25 Senate Concurrent Resolution - Bill Analysis".
  22. ^ "AB 2844 Assembly Bill - CHAPTERED". www.leginfo.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  23. ^ "California State Nonprofit Security Grant (CSNSGP) Application Workshop" (PDF).
  24. ^ Winograd, Marcy (2024-08-20). "Who Are They? The CA Legislative Jewish Caucus". CounterPunch.org. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  25. ^ "Legislation – JPAC". Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  26. ^ "California Legislative Jewish Caucus Budget Priorities Reaction | California Legislative Jewish Caucus". jewishcaucus.legislature.ca.gov. 2018-06-14. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  27. ^ "Jewish Family Service Agencies Awarded $3.6 Million in Grants to Provide Support for Holocaust Survivors | California Legislative Jewish Caucus". jewishcaucus.legislature.ca.gov. 2019-01-29. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  28. ^ "190729 Jewish Caucus Letter on Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum" (PDF).
  29. ^ Kassel, Matthew (2023-04-03). "Scott Wiener's delicate balancing act". Jewish Insider. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
  30. ^ https://jewishcaucus.legislature.ca.gov/news/jewish-caucus-applauds-historic-76-million-funding-californias-nonprofit-security-grant
  31. ^ "Jewish Caucus Budget Priorities Funded in New State Budget | California Legislative Jewish Caucus". 27 June 2019.
  32. ^ "State Funds to Benefit Jewish Camps and L.A. Holocaust Museum | California Legislative Jewish Caucus". jewishcaucus.legislature.ca.gov. July 1, 2019.
  33. ^ "Jewish Caucus Secures Nearly 80 Million for Jewish Community Priorities in State Budget | California Legislative Jewish Caucus". 14 June 2021.
  34. ^ "Final California Budget Includes $141.2 Million in JPAC Priorities – JPAC".
  35. ^ "CA Legislature Proposes Major Funding for Holocaust Education and Survivor Assistance, Bringing Anticipated JPAC Budget Victories to $132.2 Million – JPAC".
  36. ^ "California Enhances Safety in Faith-Based Communities | Cal OES News".
  37. ^ Gillies, Andrew (October 19, 2023). "Governor authorizes expanded security funding for places of worship and nonprofit organizations".
  38. ^ "Jewish Caucus Applauds Additional Funding to Protect Vulnerable Communities Amid Surge in Mideast Violence | California Legislative Jewish Caucus". jewishcaucus.legislature.ca.gov. October 18, 2023.
  39. ^ Evans, Esther (June 24, 2024). "California Doubles Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $80 Million - Agudath Israel of America".
  40. ^ "Jewish Caucus Applauds Historic $76 Million in Funding for California's Nonprofit Security Grant Program | California Legislative Jewish Caucus". jewishcaucus.legislature.ca.gov. July 30, 2024.
  41. ^ "California AB57 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session". LegiScan. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  42. ^ "Newsom signs controversial social media bill into California law | California Legislative Jewish Caucus". jewishcaucus.legislature.ca.gov. 2022-09-14. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  43. ^ "AB587 Revisited: How are Platforms Complying with California's Newly-Mandated Transparency Reporting?". Anti-Defamation League. August 27, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  44. ^ "California AB1126 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session". LegiScan. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  45. ^ "California SB693 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session". LegiScan. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  46. ^ a b c Dhenin, Marianne (2024-08-20). "CA Educators Are Resisting Anti-Palestine Bills Pushing "Academic Police State"". Truthout. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  47. ^ "2022 Legislative Agenda - Jewish Community Relations Council". 2022 Legislative Agenda - Jewish Community Relations Council. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  48. ^ "California Collaborative". JFCS Holocaust Center. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  49. ^ "California Legislature Approves Bill to Protect Jewish and Other Vulnerable Students on California's University Campuses – JPAC". Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  50. ^ "CAIR-CA Joins California Palestine Solidarity Coalition in Expressing Disappointment in Gov. Newsom's Passage of Three Bills That Will Chill Pro-Palestine Speech, Fail To Address Rise in Islamophobia". CAIR California. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  51. ^ "Postsecondary education: Equity in Higher Education Act: prohibition on discrimination: training" (PDF).
  52. ^ "California AB3024 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session". LegiScan. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  53. ^ "AB 3024: Civil rights. | Digital Democracy". calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  54. ^ "Assemblymember Ward Bill Signed by Governor Provides New Protections From Targeted Hate Littering | Official Website - Assemblymember Christopher M. Ward Representing the 78th California Assembly District". a78.asmdc.org. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  55. ^ "Under the lying claim of combating antisemitism, California Governor Gavin Newsom enacts further assault on the rights of anti-genocide protesters". World Socialist Web Site. 2024-10-22. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  56. ^ "SB 1277- CHAPTERED". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  57. ^ "CA Legislature Approves Bill Creating Teachers Collaborative on Holocaust and Genocide Education – JPAC". Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  58. ^ "Senate Bill Policy Committee Analysis - Senate Bill Policy Committee Analysis" (PDF).
  59. ^ "California's New Law: ADL Genocide Deniers to Train Teachers on Genocide – The California Courier". 2025-03-11. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  60. ^ "With 68-0 Vote, California Assembly Passes Landmark Bill to Counter K-12 Antisemitism". JPAC. 2025-05-29. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  61. ^ "Diversity Caucuses Join Together to Protect California Students from Antisemitism and Hate". a30.asmdc.org. 2025-05-10. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  62. ^ "AB-715 Educational equity: discrimination: antisemitism prevention". California Legislative Information. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  63. ^ "California AB1468 | 2025-2026 | Regular Session". LegiScan. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  64. ^ Dhenin, Marianne (2025-04-02). "California Ethnic Studies Bill Aims to Censor Palestine-Related Education". Truthout. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  65. ^ Winograd, Marcy (2025-03-05). "California Teachers Fight Palestine Censorship". CounterPunch.org. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  66. ^ "Jewish Caucus Announces Leadership for 2025-2026 Legislative Session | California Legislative Jewish Caucus". 9 September 2024.
  67. ^ "The Dangers of CA Assembly Bill 715: How This Amended Bill Threatens To Censor Palestine in Schools". CAIR California. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  68. ^ "AB 715 (Zbur/Addis)" (PDF). California Teachers Association. 2025-07-03.
  69. ^ Michael Starr (March 14, 2024). "San Francisco Senator decries anti-Israel rally at San Francisco Jewish community gala". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  70. ^ Stutman, Gabe (2024-02-16). "S.F. Dem leader John Avalos defends public harassment of Wiener". jweekly.com. Archived from the original on 2024-02-19. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
  71. ^ "CAIR-SFBA Decries Termination of Sonoma State University President Mike Lee for Supporting Pro-Palestinian Protest Demands". Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  72. ^ Jones, Blake (2024-05-15). "California university president put on leave for 'insubordination' after meeting Gaza protesters' demands". Politico. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  73. ^ Jaweed Kaleem; Colleen Shalby (May 15, 2024). "Sonoma State president on leave for 'insubordination' after supporting anti-Israel boycott, divestment". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  74. ^ Holt, Faygie (2024-05-17). "US college president suspended after conceding to protestor's calls for Israel boycott". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  75. ^ Terisa Estacio (2024-05-15). "Bay Area university accused of 'blacklisting Israel' in striking agreement with protesters". KRON. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  76. ^ Fulbright, Alexander (2024-05-16). "In first for US, California public university agrees to academic boycott of Israel". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  77. ^ David Zimmermann (May 17, 2024). "California University President Retires after Meeting Anti-Israel Protest Demands". National Review. Retrieved 2025-02-24.