SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Jewish ancestry bill moved forward Monday as the state Assembly approved a proposal allowing residents to voluntarily identify Jewish heritage on government forms.
The measure still needs a final vote in the Legislature before heading to Gov. Gavin Newsom. It would require state agencies that gather demographic data to add “Jewish” as an option for ethnicity or ancestry. Supporters say the change would produce clearer information about Jewish Californians, including unemployment, education representation, and other indicators used to shape policy.
According to advocates, better data would help lawmakers craft programs that address the needs of Jewish residents. “It’s about inclusion as a community,” said David Bocarsly, CEO of Jewish California, noting similar efforts in recent years to expand state demographic categories for Middle Eastern, North African, and LGBTQ+ communities.
Opponents raised privacy concerns rooted in the history of governments keeping lists of Jews, particularly during the Holocaust. The bill bars agencies from disclosing personal identifying information, and author Sen. Henry Stern, a Democrat who is Jewish, said existing state privacy protections are strong. Even so, Sydney Levy of Jewish Voice for Peace told lawmakers, “When it comes to government holding lists of Jews, we do not trust your privacy guardrails.”
Some critics also question classifying Jewish identity as a single ethnicity. Levy, who identifies as Latino and Jewish, argued that Jews of color have cultural experiences distinct from white Jews. Under the proposal, people could still select their race in addition to choosing “Jewish” for ethnicity, similar to how some identify as Latino while also listing a race such as white, Native American, or Black.
Supporters say defining Jewish identity as an ethnicity in state datasets could also improve tracking of hate crimes against Jews. The legislation was amended Friday to exempt agencies from adding the new option if doing so would jeopardize federal funding.
Stern has spoken publicly about his own evolving identity, including his decision in recent years to wear a kippah to work. He said an antisemitic incident while walking to synagogue with his daughter on the day Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023 reinforced that choice. Reflecting on being bullied for being Jewish in junior high school, Stern said the proposal would help ensure people like him are represented. “This bill is just trying to create a little more space for those kinds of people — just let them be seen,” he said. “I don’t think it’s going to be a radical transformation. I don’t think it’s going to change the world.”
What the California Jewish ancestry bill would change
If enacted, the bill would standardize an option for “Jewish” under ethnicity or ancestry on state forms that collect demographic information, while maintaining confidentiality rules. It would not replace existing race categories and would include a safeguard so agencies are not penalized if federal funding is at risk.
The measure still needs a final vote in the Legislature before heading to Gov. Gavin Newsom.
According to advocates, better data would help lawmakers craft programs that address the needs of Jewish residents, noting similar efforts in recent years to expand state demographic categories for Middle Eastern, North African, and LGBTQ+ communities.
Even so, Sydney Levy of Jewish Voice for Peace told lawmakers, “When it comes to government holding lists of Jews, we do not trust your privacy guardrails,” echoing concerns seen in other debates such as Democrats counter GOP anti-socialism resolution in House.
Supporters say defining Jewish identity as an ethnicity in state datasets could also improve tracking of hate crimes against Jews and align state practices with standards from the U.S. Department of Justice.
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