By David Bocarsly
SACRAMENTO, California — State 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:
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 is executive director of the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPAC)