JCRC Bay Area

Wishing a joyous and peaceful Eid al-Fitr to our Muslim friends across the Bay Area! Eid Mubarak! 🌙

Last Sunday’s 30th Annual Freedom Seder brought 450 people together in San Francisco for a night that was as powerful as it was meaningful. Rooted in a tradition of building bridges and turning shared values into action, the evening convened community members, civic leaders, longtime friends, and new allies to advance freedom, justice, and a shared future in the Bay Area. To our guests, speakers, and sponsors, thank you for helping make this gathering so impactful. And a special thank you to our hosts, San Francisco City Attorney @DavidChiu and Congregation Beth Sholom’s Rabbi Amanda Russell, for their leadership. Looking forward to the Silicon Valley Freedom Seder this Sunday!

The antisemitic leaders of @CFA_United are teaming up with Assembly Member @robertgarcia4ca to undermine protections for Jewish students— and only Jewish students— in California. We will not allow this cancerous effort aimed at Jewish kids to succeed.

AB 715 was passed unanimously to protect California's Jewish students. Now, a new bill (AB 2159) would roll those protections back, backed by the same groups that opposed AB 715 from the start. Here’s what it would do: ❌ Remove key guidance used to identify antisemitism ❌ Strip safeguards against bias in classrooms ❌ Eliminate professional standards for instruction ❌ Demote the state’s Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator — while leaving other discrimination coordinators untouched At a time when antisemitic incidents continue to rise, California must strengthen, not weaken, its commitment to protecting Jewish students. We must defend AB 715. 🚨 Take 30 seconds to act: tinyurl.com/WithdrawAB2159 Tell Assemblymember Garcia: Withdraw AB 2159.

🚨 Take Action to Protect Jewish Students in California🚨 Assemblymember Robert Garcia and the California Faculty Association are trying to gut AB 715 – California's landmark antisemitism law. They introduced this bill without consulting with AB 715's authors, the Jewish Caucus, or Jewish California (formerly JPAC). Weakening AB 715 sends a devastating message to Jewish families across California: their protections are negotiable, and their children's safety is simply not a priority. We will not accept that. 👉 Take action now. Fill out the action alert at bit.ly/WithdrawAB2159 and urge lawmakers to protect Jewish students. #CAJewishVoice

Three arrests have been made in the heinous Santana Row attack on two individuals who said they believe they were attacked because they were speaking in Hebrew. The attack is being investigated as a possible hate crime. nbcbayarea.com/news/local/san…

As part of the ongoing investigation into the assault that occurred at Santana Row, arrest warrants were obtained for three suspects believed to be responsible for the attack. All three individuals surrendered to law enforcement today without incident. This remains an active case, and we will continue working closely with District Attorney Rosen’s Office as the case moves forward through the criminal justice process. The District Attorney’s Office will be providing additional details soon. We recognize the community’s concern about this incident and appreciate the patience shown as investigators worked methodically to ensure the case was handled thoroughly and correctly. Those responsible for this violent crime will be held accountable.

JCRC is proud to sponsor Temple Sinai's Unity Seder on March 25. Join the Oakland Jewish community for an interfaith celebration of freedom and redemption, with ritual foods and readings from different traditions. 📆 Wednesday, March 25 🕑️ 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. 📍 Temple Sinai, Oakland 🔗 REGISTER: oaklandsinai.org/event/unity-se…

Thank you @SFJCRC for inviting me to this year's Freedom Seder. Happy to reflect on solidarity with @MentionMelissa Saxe Blaustein, my NYC bestie.

“Black folks and Jewish folks have fought together for many many years. You were with us during the civil rights movement and it’s our turn to be there for you now,” District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson @AlamedaCountyDA @AlamedaCounty

Honoring Miriam: Leslie Tickten, Director of Admission, @JCHSoftheBay

Welcoming Elijah: Michael Sweet, Commissioner, @SFHumanRights, and @bethsholomsf congregant.

Sharing reflections on Jewish identity: “When you convert to Judaism, it’s not called conversion, but choosing, because when you choose Judaism you’re considered to always have been Jewish,” Kristie Wang, Councilmember, @cityoflivermore. Together on stage with Maddux Eckerling, Student President, @SFHillel at @SFSU

The prayer of thanksgiving

JB Leibovitch, Steering Committee Member, @OJAlliance with the prayer of thanksgiving

Maria Su, Superintendent, @SFUnified introduces the matzah or “bread of affliction” that recalls the Jews flight from slavery

Their reminiscences

Sharing reminiscences and values, history and food, @NancyTungSF, Assistant District Attorney, Commissioner @sfgov, San Francisco International Airport Commission with Melissa Saxe Blaustein, Vice Mayor, City of Sausalito Kristie Wang, Councilmember, @CityofLivermore tell stories of AAPI-Jewish solidarity.

Reciting the plagues for Passover: @MattDorsey, Supervisor, @SFBos, with @Shannell_Laprice, Executive Director, @Rafiki_Wellness

@TyeGregory delivers his introduction to the JCRC Freedom Seder San Francisco

“Isolation has never been a good strategy for the Jews… to lose hope in our neighbors and to turn inwards is a losing proposition,” JCRC Bay Area CEO @TyeGregory, on stage with Chief Community Relations Officer Laura Cherner

Introducing the cup of solidarity to remind us: “None of us can thrive alone,” @Brown4Richmond, Councilmember, @CA_Richmond, sharing the podium with @Cesar_Zepeda1, Councilmember, @CA_Richmond