Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California

The Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPAC) is a leading coalition of Jewish community organizations advocating on behalf of California's Jewish community and broadly shared values. Established in 1972, JPAC serves as the voice of California's Jewish community to the state capitol, representing the interests of approximately 1.2 million Jews across the state.

Organization and Vision

JPAC is composed of member organizations including Jewish Federations, Jewish Community Relations Councils, and Jewish Family Service agencies. Collectively, these organizations serve hundreds of thousands of Californians from diverse backgrounds. JPAC's mission is to amplify Jewish voices through strategic statewide advocacy and coalition-building, aiming to enhance the lives of Jews and all Californians.

JPAC operates under two core pillars:

• Advocating for issues directly supporting the Jewish community
• Advocating for issues that further Jewish values

Key Activities and Achievements

• Legislative Advocacy: JPAC actively engages in passing crucial legislation to counter antisemitism and hate, expand mental health services, anti-poverty initiatives, and support immigrants and older adults. Notably, JPAC has successfully advocated for over $465 million from the state budget since its inception for community projects, including enhancing community security initiatives and expanding Holocaust education institutions.

• Ethnic Studies Curriculum: JPAC led efforts to remove antisemitic content from California's ethnic studies curriculum, ensuring a more inclusive educational framework.

• Annual Events: JPAC hosts the Capitol Summit, a premier annual event that provides a platform for Jewish community members to engage in policy discussions and direct lobbying with state lawmakers and activists.

Impact and Positioning

As the largest single-state coalition of Jewish organizations in the United States, JPAC plays a pivotal role in advancing public policies aligned with Jewish values. It is committed to fostering a safe, just, and equitable California by leveraging its collective strength and reach within the community. Despite being non-partisan, JPAC actively influences state policy to address pressing social issues affecting California's diverse population.