Jewish Caucus Chair Jesse Gabriel Comments on Approval of the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum

Sacramento, CA — Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D – Woodland Hills), Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus and Senator Scott Wiener (D – San Francisco), Vice Chair, released the following statement regarding the State Board of Education’s adoption of the final Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum:

“The model curriculum approved today by the State Board of Education is a vast improvement over prior drafts and a win for everyone who fought to remove bigoted and discriminatory content about Jews and Israel. Importantly, the final curriculum explicitly defines antisemitism and includes lesson plans that teach about the contributions and struggles of the American Jewish community, including Jews of color. This is important progress.

Since 2019, the California Legislative Jewish Caucus has actively engaged with the Department of Education, Governor Newsom, our legislative allies, and organizations from across California to ensure that the model curriculum is free from any anti-Jewish bias or discrimination. We are grateful to the tens of thousands of Californians who raised their voices with us, and applaud the broad coalition of Jewish organizations that helped to lead this important effort. On behalf of the Jewish Caucus, we also would like to thank Governor Gavin Newsom, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, and our former Caucus Chair, Senator Ben Allen, for their leadership and partnership.

While we are pleased with the changes to the model curriculum, our work is far from complete. In the coming months, the Jewish Caucus will continue to remain actively engaged to ensure that the model curriculum is properly implemented by local school districts and that the teaching of ethnic studies adheres to the highest educational standards.”

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