JPAC Hosts Annual Summit to Address Antisemitism and Support Holocaust Survivors

The JPAC Summit was held in Sacramento, CA, in early May

The Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California’s (JPAC) signature annual event, the JPAC Summit, took place on May 5 and 6 at the California State Capitol, bringing together Jewish community leaders, advocates, and lawmakers for two days of education, discussion, and direct advocacy. 

The Summit serves as a powerful platform to raise awareness and advance legislation on issues that impact the Jewish community and the broader population of California. 

This year’s event discussed the urgency of taking action as antisemitic incidents and hate crimes have reached historic levels across the country. According to AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2024 Report, 77% of American Jews said they feel less safe as a Jewish person in the U.S. JPAC made combating antisemitism one of the main topics, calling on state leaders to respond with immediate measures. 

Other legislative priorities presented during the event highlighted the bill package aimed at addressing education, support for organizations, as well as continuing to secure funding to support Holocaust survivors who face significant emotional and financial challenges at a very advanced age.

Updates in the fight against antisemitism 

Following the event, AB 715 (Zbur, Addis), the landmark bill to counter K-12 antisemitism, passed the State Assembly in late May. Amid the concerns on antisemitic acts, the bill strengthens anti-discrimination protections based on religion and nationality and establishes California’s first-ever State Antisemitism Coordinator to lead statewide efforts. 

AB 715 will also:

• Ensure instruction, curriculum, textbooks, and materials are free from antisemitism and discrimination.

• Expand the state’s complaint process to cover school board members and contractors, with faster resolution timelines.

• Increase accountability for schools and districts.

Learn more about the JPAC Summit

Among the other bills discussed and sponsored by JPAC are:  

• California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program – $80 million: Reaffirms the second allocation in the two-year commitment for the state’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NGSP), which provides funding for synagogues and other nonprofits at risk of hate-motivated violence to secure their institutions from hate crimes.

  
  

• Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program (HSAP) – $36 million: Provides $36m over three years for the Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program (HSAP) to provide trauma-informed at-home care for frail Holocaust survivors. The state previously funded this program for three years, which is set to expire in June, just as the last generation of survivors ages into a time in life where they require this support.

  
  

• SB 472 (Stern) – $10 million: Holocaust and Genocide Education (HGE) – Provides school districts with grants for professional development or other needed supports in order to effectively teach HGE. It also creates an annual reporting requirement for districts on how they are teaching HGE. 

By uniting community voices and engaging directly with policymakers, JPAC’s Summit voices the needs of the Jewish community while advocating for safety, inclusion, and dignity for all.  

You can read the full bill package on JPAC’s website.