California

JCRC Bay Area remonstrates with Congressman Ro Khanna

JCRC and our partners have discussed pressing issues related to antisemitism with the congressman. We shared increasing concerns that his repeated use of the phrase “Epstein class,” and attacks on AIPAC as a shadowy organization, are being used by antisemitic individuals and groups to further conspiracy theories that harm the Jewish community. [Press Release]

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California, Israel, News Media, Press Release, Travel and Food, USA

Historic Jewish places dot North America

The states covered are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Texas runs 72 pages; Wyoming a mere 4. California, divided into southern, central, and northern sections, runs over 40 pages with the City of San Diego allocated portions of 5 pages. (Donald H. Harrison)

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Newsom’s signed budget includes 6 priorities of Jewish California

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,

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Antisemitism, California, Holocaust, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Press Release

Governor Newsom approves $80 million in annual support for the security of at-risk organizations

For years, the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program has been funded one budget cycle at a time. The program began 10 years ago, and each year since Jewish California returned to Sacramento to make the case all over again. [David Bocarsly]

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California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors

JCAN opposes Rotary Club presidency of an antisemite

The Jewish Community Action Network (JCAN) today sent a letter to Rotary International leadership condemning Orange County LA Rotary Club’s decision to install former Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan as President, despite documented warnings about her record of spreading blood libels and conspiracy theories about Jews. JCAN called on Rotary International to intervene, and enforce its own Manual of Procedure and Constitution. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, California, Israel, Press Release

Policy committees approve 3 bills sponsored by Jewish California

All three bills now move to their next legislative checkpoints: AB 1853 and AB 395 head to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with a deadline of August 14, while SB 549 advances to the Assembly Floor, with a deadline of August 31. Jewish California and its coalition partners will continue advocating for all three bills as they move through the remainder of the legislative session. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, California, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food

State budget includes annual $80m for security of vulnerable nonprofit institutions

At a time of rising antisemitism, political violence, and hate targeting communities across the country, this ongoing funding marks a major milestone in California’s commitment to protecting vulnerable communities,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus and author of the legislation that established the NSGP. (Press Release)

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Antisemitism, California, Jewish Religion, Press Release, USA

True stories from the Holocaust create strong connection

When students learn about a child who was murdered in the Holocaust and paint a butterfly in honor of that child’s life, they become grounded in history in a way that textbooks alone cannot accomplish. They understand that the Holocaust was not just a historical event, but a collection of individuals with lives, hopes, and dreams just like their own. [Debra Feldstein]

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California, Holocaust, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Novel paints picture of celebrities of the pre-World War II era

This novel spins a story of Einstein and Chaplin taking the luxury Santa Fe Super Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles, along with fellow historical personages J. Robert Oppenheimer, Charles Lindbergh, Mickey Cohen, Lena Horne, and Fritz Duquesne, a Nazi spy. {Donald H. Harrison}

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish Fiction, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

To retreat into safe Jewish spaces or participate fully in American pluralism?

A few days ago, I attended a book talk for On Being Jewish Now, a collection of essays reflecting on Jewish life after October 7. About 50 people had gathered inside a posh clothing store in Beverly Hills, and before long the conversation gave way to a familiar ritual of trauma bonding and story telling. Personal accounts of fear, identity, and all the difficult ways our lives have changed over the last 20 months. [Karen Klein]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

July 1 hearing on bill to repeal civil rights protections for Jewish students

A California lawmaker just used a last-minute legislative maneuver to introduce a bill that would repeal one of our most significant victories for Jewish college students. The committee vote is this Wednesday, July 1. [David Bocarsly]

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California, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Two defense bills sponsored by Jewish California advance in state Senate

Two priority bills led by Jewish California — the nation’s largest statewide coalition of Jewish organizations — cleared key Senate committees Tuesday, marking major steps toward protecting Californians of all faiths from harassment at their places of worship and preventing hate from being distributed under the seal of the State of California. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, California, Jewish Religion, Press Release, USA