California is set to become the first state to allow individuals to identify their Jewish heritage on state forms, which has prompted discussions within the community regarding identity and the implications of this classification. Some members of the Jewish community support the initiative, believing it could enhance understanding of issues related to health and hate crimes, while others express concerns about the potential risks of disclosing personal information due to historical government-sanctioned persecution of Jewish people.
Currently, California recognizes nearly 50 racial and ethnic identities for data collection but categorizes Jewish identity solely as a religion. Senate Bill 1387, passed on August 31, aims to require state agencies to include a box for Jewish ethnicity on various demographic data forms, including those for public assistance and college applications. The bill's author, state Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles), stated that the goal is to improve the accuracy of state data to better understand the needs of Jewish communities. The bill has received widespread support in both the Assembly and Senate and will soon be presented to Governor Gavin Newsom for approval.
The proposed law has sparked broader discussions about whether Jewish identity is primarily religious, cultural, or a combination of both. Stern noted that the debate reflects an essential aspect of Jewish identity, emphasizing the importance of dialogue within the community. California has expanded its list of racial and ethnic categories in recent years, including a bill signed by Newsom that established a separate category for Middle Eastern and North African individuals.
California is home to approximately 1.2 million Jewish residents, the second-largest Jewish population in the United States after New York. Jeffrey Kopstein, a political science professor at UC Irvine, remarked that Jewish identity does not fit neatly into conventional American categories, as it encompasses aspects of ancestry, culture, and community. A 2021 Pew Research study indicated that about 19% of American Jews view their identity as a combination of religion, ancestry, and culture, with a significant portion emphasizing the importance of identifying as Jewish.
Jewish California, an advocacy group that sponsored the bill, stated that the absence of Jewish ethnicity in data collection hinders the identification and addressing of disparities in healthcare, education, and discrimination. They argue that recognizing Jews as more than just a religious group fosters a more comprehensive understanding of Jewish identity, which is essential to combat bias and discrimination.
Opponents of the bill contend that it oversimplifies Jewish identity and could expose individuals to increased antisemitism, particularly in light of the recent surge in antisemitic incidents following the Israel-Hamas conflict that began on October 7, 2023. The Anti-Defamation League reported 6,274 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. in 2025, a decrease from 9,354 in the previous year but still significantly higher than a decade ago. Rabbi Cat Zavis expressed concerns that the bill overlooks the diversity within the Jewish community, particularly for those from Middle Eastern and North African backgrounds, whose distinct histories and experiences differ from those of Ashkenazi Jews.
Stern has stated that individuals will still have the option to select multiple identities on the forms, allowing for a more nuanced representation of Jewish identity.