California Moves to Recognize Jewish Identity as Ethnic and Racial

The state of California is making strides to become the first in the United States to officially recognize being Jewish as an ethnic and racial identity, not solely a religious one. This development follows an important decision on August 13, when a key committee from the state Senate approved a bill that proposes adding ‘Jewish’ to its list of recognized identities.

As reported by The New York Times, this move represents a significant step in the ongoing discussion regarding whether Jewish identity is solely religious or encompasses ethnicity and race. However, this decision arrives at a precarious time for American Jews, marked by a rise in antisemitism and anti-Jewish hate crimes. Critics warn that the bill may potentially intensify antisemitism, drawing historical parallels where figures like Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin targeted Jews by categorizing them as an ethnic group, often leading to state-sanctioned persecution.

California has the second-largest Jewish population in the U.S. Therefore, recognizing Jews as part of an ethnic or racial group must be accompanied by renewed efforts to fight antisemitism and safeguard the Jewish community. If the bill becomes law, it might be exploited by hate groups, prompting Governor Gavin Newsom and the legislature to bolster their initiatives against hate crimes.

Governor Newsom has already enacted important measures to tackle antisemitism and escalating hate crimes. These efforts should now expand to include enhanced security funding for Jewish community centers, schools, and places of worship. Additionally, California should embrace recommendations from the 2023 National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, which includes monitoring antisemitism online and developing robust data-sharing practices to prevent violence against Jews.

The repercussions of this legislation will likely extend beyond California. Jewish leaders and officials across the nation should be attentive to developments in California, preparing to manage potential ripple effects. Whether the bill passes or not, it will not resolve the age-old debate on whether Jewish identity transcends religious definition.

The history of the Jewish people stretches back to the early 2nd millennium BCE, spanning more than 4,000 years. Initially emerging as a family, the Jewish population has experienced diaspora and dispersion over centuries, resulting in diverse cultural and ethnic branches, according to an article from the Federation of Jewish Ministries.

In the debate over whether Jews constitute a race, biologist Alain F. Corcos posited two decades ago that their history of intermarriage and conversions makes genetic characterization as a race impossible. Legal cases, including one in 1987 where the U.S. Supreme Court addressed racial discrimination against Jewish congregations, highlight the complexity of categorizing Jewish identity.

Surveys, such as one conducted by the Pew Research Center, reveal that many view Jewish identity as multifaceted, combining religion, ancestry, culture, and more. Only one in ten respondents described Jewish identity purely as a religious matter.

President Biden emphasized that antisemitism undermines efforts to cultivate respect and an inclusive, diverse democracy. The bill before the California legislature should be applauded for recognizing the diversity Biden advocates, both between and within groups. As stated by California State Senator Henry Stern, the bill’s primary sponsor, being Jewish in America involves embracing complexities and accepting one’s identity as a people, a nation, an ethnicity, and a religion.

Professor Austin Sarat of Amherst College underscores the importance of acknowledging these layers within Jewish identity.

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