Attending JPAC 2024: Lots of Idealism and Dedication

Image courtesy of Hadassah.

In May, I attended the annual Jewish Public Affairs Committee (JPAC) of California’s 2024 annual conference in Sacramento. Last year, there were over 300 attendees; this year, there were over 500. As to be expected, we learned what our elected representatives will be focusing on over the course of 2024, but there was a greater sense of urgency about the hot button topic: the rise of antisemitism. It’s overt and it’s ugly.

For example, currently, there is an antisemitic crisis in my local Palos Verdes School District. A blatantly misinformed high school junior at the Palos Verdes High School wrote an inflammatory article for the yearbook titled “Whose Land is It Anyway?” The piece is a diatribe against Israel, Zionism and Jews, filled with misinformation. Yet, the Palos Verdes High School administration and teachers have refused to amend, rescind or apologize for the essay, which has no legitimate place in a student yearbook anyway.

At the JPAC conference, we attended the Legislators Reception where we heard from Earl Raab Award winner Shelly Rivlin and the Honorable Jesse Gabriel. Afterwards, we had dinner with the Jewish Caucus, where we were addressed by Co-Chairs Jesse Gabriel and Senator Scott Wiener and the entire Jewish Caucus. I learned a lot about their backgrounds and personal stories and why they fight against antisemitism. Such ideals and good intentions!

Everyone has a heightened awareness that we Jews are uncomfortable now and that the October 7^th attack has brought “Jew hate” to the forefront. The members of the Jewish Caucus promised they were actively researching the issue and formulating plans to combat this virus. They said they will provide a civilized response to hatred, an educator’s dream.

On Wednesday, I had breakfast with old and new friends. It was more informal and, in some ways, more helpful to meet with colleagues on my own level of political action and to learn that they feel as I do.

During a morning plenary, we watched video remarks from California Governor Gavin Newsom. He unveiled an educational plan he referred to as the “Golden State Plan to Counter Antisemitism.” Newsom also said he was looking at additional ways to protect the Jewish community that might strengthen the existing education bill.

Governor Newsom’s Legal Affairs Secretary David Sapp then dove deeper into the plan. Sapp said there were plans to meet with educators and that it was a priority for the governor to expand World War II and Holocaust education throughout the curriculum. It was also very important to provide protection for all Jewish houses of worship.

California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond spoke from the heart and seemed to have a finger on the pulse of JPAC’s beleaguered members-at-large and other participants.

During a breakout panel, Rabbi Noah Farkas moderated a discussion on  “Balancing Free Speech and Hate Speech on Campus.” It was clear that the protests seemed to have left everyone shaking their heads while trying to come up with a possible plan of action before the school term commences again in the Fall.

The best, most interactive experience of the summit was when all the conference participants walked over to the Capitol Annex Swing Space and, in small groups, met with state legislators and/or their staff in their respective offices. We introduced them to JPAC’s priority legislation and budget items and advocated for their support.

My group met with our California Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi (66^th District), who said he knew of the growing crises and was an active supporter of Holocaust education and combatting antisemitism. He’s on the California Education Committee. I had the opportunity to pose with him for a picture. I’ve seen him on a few occasions at my synagogue and it seemed to me that he is truly interested and involved.

All in all, this JPAC summit had a very different vibe from last year’s gathering, where the issues on people’s minds were diverse. This year, everyone asked the same question: “How can we help JPAC counter antisemitism?” In the months ahead, I hope California will formulate a solid plan to combat the ugly rise of antisemitism that will be a model for the nation.