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ABOUT JEWISH CALIFORNIA
Our Voice in Sacramento
Jewish California is the nation's largest statewide coalition of Jewish organizations. Founded in 1972 as JPAC (Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California), Jewish California has been fighting for a safe, just, and equitable California for over 50 years.
Half a century later, that work is more important than ever, as we confront rising antisemitism and anti-Jewish hate and our most vulnerable Californians are being crushed by rising costs, budget cuts to essential healthcare and nutrition services, and an ongoing housing and homelessness crisis.
Our 41 member organizations — including Jewish Federations, Jewish Community Relations Councils, Jewish Family Service agencies, and others — serve hundreds of thousands of Californians of all backgrounds and represent the interests of California’s 1.2 million Jews.
Our Vision
A safe, just, and equitable California reflecting the core issues and values of the state’s organized Jewish community.
Our Mission
We amplify Jewish voices through strategic statewide advocacy and coalition-building to better the lives of Jews and all Californians.
Jewish California has delivered landmark policy wins that protect Jewish Californians and strengthen California as a whole.
In 2025, Jewish California partnered with the California Jewish Legislative Caucus to pass AB 715 — a first-in-the-nation law to counter antisemitism in K-12 schools.
We have advanced major state investments in nonprofit security, helping protect schools, houses of worship, and community institutions from hate-motivated violence; funding and policies supporting Holocaust education, hate prevention, and inclusive curriculum; and social service funding that supports seniors, low-income families, survivors of violence, and other vulnerable Californians.
And Jewish California has consistently opposed efforts to exclude, marginalize, or discriminate against Jewish Californians or undermine equal access to public institutions.
Jewish California uses our community’s collective strength and reach to help build the world we want to live in – for ourselves and for all Californians.
Jewish California Capitol Summit is our premier annual event. During this two-day gathering, hundreds of participants from across the state gather in Sacramento for a policy conference, exclusive networking opportunities with some of the state’s most powerful lawmakers and activists, and to participate in direct lobbying to help further our legislative priorities.
Jewish California is a registered 501(c)(4) nonprofit that serves as the advocacy arm of California’s Jewish community, building coalitions in Sacramento, amplifying Jewish voices, and uplifting the issues and values of our 41 member organizations. We appreciate your support!
Jewish California Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as the educational arm of California’s Jewish community, educating Jewish Californians about civic engagement and state leaders about Jewish values, traditions, culture, and safety.
POLICY FRAMEWORK
Jewish California’s policy framework – developed in collaboration with all Jewish California members – is based on the Jewish community’s core values and will guide our work into the future:
Ensure the safety and security of the Jewish community and religious institutions
Ensure older adults age with dignity and with an enhanced quality of life, including directed support for Holocaust Survivors
Sustain services and programs to assist our most vulnerable populations, including children and youth, low-income families, immigrants, and survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, and to protect our environment
Maintain a strong California-Israel relationship
Combat antisemitism and hate
POLICY PRIORITY
Ensure the safety and security of the Jewish community and religious institutions
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Advocate for permanent State funding of the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program, with a dedicated funding stream to address the security needs of high-risk non-profits and faith-based organizations.
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Support funding for disaster relief and rebuilding initiatives for Jewish community institutions, disaster preparedness training, coordinated response systems, etc.
POLICY PRIORITY
Ensure older adults age with dignity and with an enhanced quality of life, including directed support for Holocaust Survivors
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Support Holocaust Survivors through California’s Holocaust Survivors Assistance Program and other efforts that allow them to age with dignity.
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Advocate for home and community-based services including senior transportation, nutrition, and other programs (i.e., MSSP and CBAS) that promote healthy aging-in- place and reduce social isolation.
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Promote elder justice, protecting older adults from physical abuse and financial exploitation.
POLICY PRIORITY
Sustain services and programs to assist our most vulnerable populations, including children and youth, low-income families, immigrants, and survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, and to protect our environment
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Promote policies to reduce food insecurity and hunger, and strengthen child nutrition programs.
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Advocate for resources that alleviate poverty for low-income Californians through such programs as CalWorks, SSI/SSP, earned income tax credits, publicly funded childcare programs, etc.
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Promote access to healthcare across the lifespan, including mental health care services.
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Empower survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking to obtain economic self-sufficiency and safety for themselves and their family members.
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Promote policies that address climate change and environmental justice.
POLICY PRIORITY
Maintain a strong California-Israel relationship
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Encourage and foster cooperation – at the State level and among citizens – between the State of Israel and the State of California through the promotion and development of trade, culture and educational exchanges.
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Combat campaigns to delegitimize and demonize Israel, including the Boycott Divestment Sanctions Movement (BDS).
POLICY PRIORITY
Combat antisemitism and hate
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Combat antisemitism and other forms of hate and discrimination, including bias based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or immigration status.
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Secure funding and other forms of support for programs and state policies that advance Holocaust education and anti-bias/anti-hate education in our State’s public schools, colleges and universities.
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Strengthen and promote hate crime laws and enforcement.
AWARDS
Each year at Jewish California Capitol Summit, Jewish California honors community leaders and legislators with three special awards:
