{
  "id": 3839737,
  "title": "California could make Jewish an ethnic identity under groundbreaking new bill",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/california-could-make-jewish-an-ethnic-identity-under-groundbreaking",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-27T23:32:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-906853"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "California is poised to potentially redefine the concept of ethnicity by considering Jewish identity as an ethnic classification, alongside racial categories. A new bill, Senate Bill 1387 (SB 1387), has cleared the State Senate and is now awaiting a vote in the Assembly. If passed, the legislation would require state agencies to include a \"Jewish\" option in their demographic data collection forms. This would apply to schools, prisons, and other public institutions. The bill's supporters argue that Jewish identity should be recognized as more than just a religious affiliation, drawing on data from the Pew Research Center which shows that over 50% of American Jews identify with their ancestry and culture as the core aspect of their Jewish identity.\n\nAdvocates such as David Bocarsly, CEO of Jewish California, contend that the current congressional classification of Jewish identity as purely religious leads to various implications that misrepresent the community. They argue that this legislation will help the general public understand this reality and address issues more effectively. The bill has gained the support of 43 Jewish organizations and Jewish groups in California. However, it's important to note that this legislation is not without controversy. Some Jewish Voice for Peace chapters, for example, believe that this kind of legislation is \"legally inconsistent\" and have opposed it.\n\nThe bill's architect, State Senator Henry Stern, has a history of fighting for Holocaust education and climate change initiatives. Stern co-authored the bill with other Democratic lawmakers who are members of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus. If passed, SB 1387 would take effect in 2030 and would include provisions to protect personal information through data de-identification methods. This data would be used for research, identifying disparities, and informing policy decisions.",
  "summary": "Beyond the role Jewish demographic data could play in fighting antisemitism, Bocarsly also pointed out the practical benefits that access to such information could provide in sectors like education.",
  "key_points": [
    "Senate Bill 1387 proposes to recognize Jewish identity as an ethnic category in California.",
    "Controversy surrounds the bill, with some Jewish groups opposing it as legally inconsistent."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}