California bill could define Jewish identity as ethnic, racial

California is on the verge of becoming the first state to legally recognize Jewish identity as ethnic and racial, moving beyond its traditional religious classification. A bill, SB 1387, has cleared the State Senate and awaits a vote in the Assembly.

If enacted, the legislation would mandate that state agencies include "Jewish" as an option in voluntary disclosures of ethnicity or race on forms. This would impact public entities from schools to prisons. Proponents, including Jewish California, an umbrella coalition of numerous organizations, champion the bill, asserting that Jewish peoplehood encompasses more than just religion.

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When state law misrepresents us and puts us in this box of just a religion, there are a number of implications.

David Bocarsly, CEO of Jewish California, highlighted the implications of current state law misrepresenting Jewish identity. "When state law misrepresents us and puts us in this box of just a religion, there are a number of implications," he stated. He also noted that as antisemitism rises, a better understanding of Jewish identity, including its ethnic and racial dimensions, can help combat misinformation.

The bill's architect, State Sen. Henry Stern, co-authored the legislation with fellow members of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus. California is home to approximately 1.2 million Jews, the second-largest population in the United States. The bill's passage is seen as a crucial step by many Jewish groups to ensure legal definitions align with the lived experiences of Jewish people.

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As antisemitism continues to rise, part of that can be attributed to misinformation and misunderstanding.