SACRAMENTO, California (Press Release) — Jewish California, the nation’s largest statewide coalition of Jewish organizations, announced that California’s final three-party budget deal – passed by the Assembly and Senate, and signed by the Governor – includes six priorities Jewish California fought for this year – totaling $363 million. Together, these investments strengthen the safety, dignity, and resilience of California’s Jewish community and other vulnerable communities statewide.
“This budget is a profound statement of California’s values,” said David Bocarsly, CEO of Jewish California. “From generational funding to protect vulnerable communities, to caring for Holocaust survivors, to teaching empathy and understanding to the next generation – these investments build a safer and more resilient California into the future. We are deeply grateful to the Governor, the Legislature, and the Jewish Caucus.”
The six priorities included in the final agreement are:
Nonprofit Security Grants – $80 million in ongoing, annual funding (Jewish California sponsored) In a generational first, the budget makes funding for the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program (CSNSGP) ongoing rather than a single-year appropriation. This money helps synagogues and other houses of worship, LGBTQ and community centers, schools, and reproductive health centers across California afford the security infrastructure needed to safeguard their congregants, staff, and visitors. As hate-motivated violence continues to rise, this funding could not be more essential. State security funding for California nonprofits has grown from roughly $500,000 in 2018 to $80 million in ongoing, annual funding today. Read Jewish California’s full press release on this budget win here.
Process: Governor Newsom included $40 million in his May budget proposal, and the Assembly increased it to $80 million ongoing.
Holocaust Survivor Assistance – $36 million over three years (Jewish California sponsored) This multi-year commitment sustains the Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program, enabling Jewish Family Service agencies across California to provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive care to the last generation of Holocaust survivors. The funding helps survivors remain in their homes with dignity through services including food security, home care, and transportation – at a time when more than half of California’s survivors live below the poverty line. The state funded this program for seven consecutive years, and it faced a fiscal cliff prior to this funding commitment.
Process: The Assembly included this funding in its June budget proposal.
Holocaust & Genocide Education Curriculum – $10 million (Jewish California is the sponsor) The budget funds the Holocaust and Genocide Education Grant Program established under SB 472 (Stern) – which Jewish California sponsored last year – providing direct grants to school districts for instructional materials and professional development, along with a system to monitor statewide compliance with curriculum requirements. The investment supports the most effective antidote to hate – education – at a time of rising antisemitism and bigotry in schools.
Process: Governor Newsom included this funding in his May budget proposal.
Immigrant Legal Aid – $175 million (Jewish California proudly joined the coalition in support) The budget includes $175 million for immigrant legal aid. Jewish California joined the coalition supporting this funding, reflecting the Jewish community’s enduring commitment to protecting immigrants across California.
Process: Governor Newsom included $95 million in his May budget proposal, and the Senate and Assembly increased it to $175 million.
Victims of Crime Act – $50 million (Jewish California proudly joined the coalition in support) This funds support for survivors of domestic violence and other crimes – programs being cut at the federal level. Jewish California stood with coalition partners in advocating for this investment, which funds programs run Jewish human service agencies.
Process: Governor Newsom included $25 million in his May budget proposal, and the Senate and Assembly increased it to $50 million.
Museum of Tolerance – $12 million (Jewish California support the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s request) The budget includes $12 million for the Museum of Tolerance, which uses the lessons of the Holocaust to teach tolerance and the costs of hatred to hundreds of thousands of students, educators, law enforcement officers, and visitors each year. This funding supports two priorities: modernizing parts of the Los Angeles museum – now nearly 40 years old – with immersive new technologies and expanding the Mobile Museum of Tolerance so its education can reach more communities across the state.
Process: Governor Newsom included this funding in his May budget proposal.
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Preceding provided by Jewish California