track-jpac

This research report outlines the political activities and advocacy of the entity identified as the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPAC), also known by its 2026 rebrand Jewish California. While “AAJ PAC” is the acronym for the American Association for Justice Political Action Committee (a separate trial lawyers’ group), the organization identified in the provided context as the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California has a documented record of pro-Israel and Zionist advocacy within the state’s political and legislative spheres.

Contributor Report: Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (Jewish California)

Let us know if you spot an inaccuracy: trackjpac@gmail.com

1. Organizational Overview and Rebranding

The Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPAC) is the largest single-state coalition of Jewish organizations in the United States, representing approximately 41 member groups, including various Jewish Federations, Jewish Community Relations Councils (JCRCs), and Zionist advocacy organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and AJC.

Rebrand: In February 2026, the organization rebranded itself as Jewish California, positioning itself as the “unified voice” for the state’s 1.2 million Jewish residents in Sacramento.
Documentation: Jewish California Official Website - About; San Diego Jewish World Rebrand Announcement

2. Documented Relationship to Israel and Zionist Advocacy

The organization’s policy framework explicitly prioritizes the maintenance of a “strong California-Israel relationship” and actively works to counter efforts that “delegitimize” the state of Israel.

JPAC has served as a primary sponsor and lobbyist for several high-profile bills in the California State Legislature designed to support Israeli state interests or suppress anti-Zionist movements:

AB 2844 (Anti-BDS Bill): In 2016, JPAC successfully lobbied for the passage of AB 2844, which prohibits state agencies from contracting with companies that participate in boycotts of Israel. The bill explicitly identifies California’s “strong public policy of protecting individuals against discrimination” in the context of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
- Source: California Legislative Information - AB 2844 Analysis
AB 715 (Antisemitism Prevention): JPAC was the “chief lobbyist” for AB 715, a 2025 bill that established a statewide framework for combating antisemitism in K-12 schools. Critics of the bill, including the California Faculty Association (CFA) and CODEPINK, argued the legislation conflated criticism of Israeli government policy with antisemitism to censor pro-Palestinian educational content.
- Source: CODEPINK Report on AB 715 and JPAC (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation); Truthout Analysis of JPAC’s Role in AB 715

B. Influence on Ethnic Studies Curriculum

JPAC has consistently intervened in the development of California’s Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum (ESMC) to remove content deemed “anti-Israel.”

In 2019, the organization led efforts to scrub a draft curriculum of mentions of the BDS movement and critiques of Israeli state violence, arguing such content was “one-sided.”
Source: J Weekly: Jewish Groups Win in Ethnic Studies Debate (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation); Truthout - Censorship of Palestine in Schools

3. Political Financial Relationships and Controversies

While JPAC itself is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit and claims not to make direct candidate endorsements, it is closely affiliated with the California Jewish PAC (ID: 1441865), which has documented financial transfers to and from JPAC-related causes.

CFA Controversy (2025): The California Faculty Association (CFA) included JPAC (and AIPAC) in a 2025 candidate questionnaire, listing them alongside the oil and tobacco industries as groups that “harm working families” and asking candidates to reject their contributions. JPAC leadership condemned this as a “discriminatory boycott.”
Source: San Diego Jewish World - CFA Rejecting Jewish Contributions; CAIR-CA Statement on CFA Questionnaire (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
PAC Contributions: Transparency data shows the California Jewish PAC has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars supporting candidates who align with JPAC’s legislative agenda on Israel.
Source: Transparency USA - California Jewish PAC Data

4. Member Organizations with Zionist Focus

JPAC’s advocacy is driven by a coalition that includes explicitly Zionist entities:

StandWithUs and Zioness are listed as organizational endorsers of JPAC-sponsored legislation like AB 715.
Member List: Jewish California Member Organizations (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
Source: Jewish Currents - Zionist Coalition for AB 715

Supported Candidates

Candidate	Years	Direct Contributions	Behested Payments
Robert Garcia	2012	$2,500	$0