By David Bocarsly
SACRAMENTO, California — The Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPAC) recently shared our deep concern about the California Faculty Association (CFA) – the union representing 29,000 CSU faculty – after its candidate questionnaire explicitly accused JPAC and our diverse Jewish coalition of “harm[ing] working families.”
Following an extraordinary outpouring of public response, CFA has now apologized and committed to removing JPAC from its questionnaire.
That’s an encouraging step, but CFA missed the point. In statements to Politico and to its own members, it expressed regret for “hurt feelings” and for not researching JPAC’s activities, but failed to confront the deeper issue: the suggestion that Jewish organizations are somehow harmful or suspect, and the dangerous message that Jewish participation in civic life can be treated as conditional.
CFA also sought to defend its actions by citing real threats to university life – issues we, too, take seriously – while wrongly implying that our community’s advocacy is to blame. That framing continues to misrepresent our work and echo long-standing tropes about Jewish power and influence.
We had hoped this moment might open a conversation, but our letter and meeting request remain unanswered.
We’re deeply grateful to the organizations and leaders who spoke out and made this incremental progress possible, including:
- JPAC and social service member agencies letter
- AJC California
- JCRC Bay Area
- JCRC Sacramento
- Jewish Federation Bay Area
- Jewish Federation Los Angeles-led sign on (70 organizations)
- Jewish Federation San Diego
- Northern California Jewish Labor Committee
…and dozens of lawmakers and partners who reached out to affirm that Jewish civic participation strengthens – not harms – our democracy.
This episode highlights the urgent need to build understanding about the Jewish community and strengthen relationships with California’s education and labor partners.
JPAC will continue that work – helping civic and labor leaders understand who we are, what we do, and how our shared values of justice, equity, and safety can unite us. Together, we can ensure that every educator and policymaker in California sees the Jewish community as a trusted partner in creating a stronger, more equitable state.
This moment showed that progress happens when we speak out – and when we stand together. But it also reminded us that our work is far from done.
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David Bocarsly is the chief executive officer of the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California.