AB 715 – our community’s landmark bill to address antisemitism in K-12 schools – was scheduled for a critical vote tomorrow in the Senate Education Committee. Today, we’re sharing important news:
Senate leadership has committed to addressing antisemitism in our schools this year, and all parties have agreed to postpone the hearing until August to strengthen the bill and ensure it’s done right.
This is not a setback – it’s a sign of progress. Just 36 hours ago, the bill was at serious risk. But because of your incredible advocacy – nearly 300 people preparing to show up in Sacramento, tens of thousands of emails and calls, and powerful outreach by the Jewish Caucus – Senate leaders recognized the urgency and stepped in.
Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire and Education Committee Chair Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, in coordination with Jewish Caucus co-chairs Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel and Senator Scott Wiener, released this joint statement acknowledging the threats Jewish students face – and committing to work with us on a solution this year:
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We’re deeply grateful to Pro Tem McGuire, Chair Pérez and our Jewish Caucus partners, and to each of you who made your voice heard. This additional time gives us the opportunity to refine AB 715, work with community partners, and build even stronger support heading into the August hearing.
But our work is far from over. The opposition remains vocal and coordinated. Over the weekend, the powerful California Teachers Association (CTA) released a misleading and hypocritical statement opposing AB 715. In response, JPAC and 24 major Jewish organizations issued this strong rebuttal, pushing back against their false claims and urging them to stand with Jewish students.
In the face of mounting pressure, we need your continued advocacy to ensure AB 715 becomes law this year.
We’ll share the new hearing date as soon as it’s confirmed, and we hope you’ll join us in Sacramento in even greater numbers. In the meantime, please continue to use our action alert and reach out to key committee members.
Together, we’re building a path to victory. |
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David Bocarsly Executive Director, JPAC |
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JPAC is the largest single-state coalition of Jewish organizations in the nation:
30 Years After • American Jewish Committee • Anti-Defamation League • Bay Area Jewish Federation • Bet Tzedek Legal Services • ETTA • Foundation for Jewish Camp • Hadassah • HIAS • Holocaust Museum Los Angeles • JCC-Federation of SLO • JCRC Bay Area • Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles • Jewish Center for Justice • Jewish Community Relations Council of Sacramento • Jewish Council for Public Affairs • Jewish Family & Community Services East Bay • Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Long Beach and Orange County • Jewish Family and Children’s Services of SF • Jewish Family Service LA • Jewish Family Service of San Diego • Jewish Family Service of the Desert • Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley • Jewish Federation Los Angeles • Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara • Jewish Federation of Orange County • Jewish Federation of San Diego County • Jewish Federation of the Desert • Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys • Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region • Jewish Free Loan Association • Jewish Long Beach • Jewish Silicon Valley • Jewish Vocational Service San Francisco • JVS SoCal • MAZON • National Council of Jewish Women San Francisco Section • San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living • Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance
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