Newsroom
In recent days, several articles have appeared about the proposed Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum in California. Some include inaccuracies and misrepresentations of the plan’s current state and ignore the vital advocacy work that the Jewish Public Affairs Committee (JPAC), the largest single-state alliance of Jewish organizations in the United States, and others accomplished during the past 18 months.
Recent misleading articles included excerpts from a first draft of the model curriculum that are no longer present in its current state, false and out-of-context references in the lesson plans on Jewish Americans and failure to properly present a full and accurate timeline, scope of advocacy work, and achievements by our diverse coalition of Jewish organizations across the state. Other news articles incorrectly referred to one of the lesson plans on Jewish Americans as echoing Nazi propaganda and characterizing Jews as imposters in plain sight.
California Jewish groups appear less concerned than a recent headline would suggest
A diverse coalition of more than 110 Jewish community organizations and leaders from across California, led by the San Francisco-based Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), the California Legislative Jewish Caucus and the JCRC of Silicon Valley, today called on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to come together to confront hyperpartisanship and rising extremism in our politics.
Jesse Gabriel, a member of the state legislature from the San Fernando Valley and chair of the Legislative Jewish Caucus, recalled that shortly after the birth of his third son, Noah, in April he received a text from Padilla that said, “Mazel tov.”
“He has that kind of cultural sensitivity to reach out,” Gabriel said. “He’s a menschy guy, smart, a good guy, a great public servant who shows he cares about our issues. He checks all the boxes.”
Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel to Serve as Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, Senator Scott Wiener Elected Vice Chair
Caucus Membership Expands Following Election Victories Across the State
Legislation Now Includes “Guardrails” Requested by the Jewish Caucus that Address Concerns About Anti-Jewish and Anti-Israel Bias in the Prior Draft of the Model Curriculum
Press Release
Statement on New Draft Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum
Sacramento, CA — Senator Ben Allen (D - Santa Monica) and Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D - Encino), Chair and Vice Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, released the following statement regarding the recent release of the new draft of the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum:
Caucus Has Engaged in Productive Discussions with State Education Leaders in Advance of July 31st Release of New Draft Curriculum; Received Repeated Assurances Curriculum Will Not Include Any Antisemitic or Anti-Israel Content
Sacramento, CA — Senator Ben Allen (D - Santa Monica) and Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D - Encino), Chair and Vice Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, released the following statement regarding the upcoming release of a new draft of the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum:
Press Release
Jewish Caucus Statement on Efforts for Racial Justice
Sacramento, CA - The California Legislative Jewish Caucus released the following statement amidst the ongoing protests for racial justice:
"The California Legislative Jewish Caucus stands in solidarity with the Black community.
We are horrified by the brutal murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade and so many others, and by the centuries of racism, oppression, and systemic injustice that have brought us to this moment.
Sacramento, CA —Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Jewish Caucus Priority Assembly Bill (AB) 1548 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-San Fernando Valley), which establishes the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) to provide security funding to nonprofit organizations at risk of hate-motivated violence. Every member of the Jewish Caucus co-authored on this legislation, which builds upon the caucus securing California’s historic $15 million allocation in security funding in this year’s state budget.