California Considers Recognizing Jewish Identity as Ethnic and Racial

The state of California is on the verge of being the first in the United States to recognize Jewish identity as both ethnic and racial, alongside religious. On August 13, a pivotal committee in the state Senate approved a bill aimed at including “Jewish” among recognized identities in the context of ethnicity and race.

This proposal is a significant step in the ongoing discussion about Jewish identity’s nature, often seen as multifaceted. The New York Times describes it as a step towards acknowledging this complexity. However, this development occurs amid rising antisemitism and anti-Jewish hate crimes in America. Critics argue that the bill might worsen antisemitism, referencing historical context where Jews were discriminated against based on ethnic labels. Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler and the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin used ethnic classifications as grounds for state-endorsed antisemitism.

California, housing the second-largest Jewish community in the country, is advised to amplify efforts against antisemitism while considering this change. If the bill passes, the state must prepare to counter potential misuse by hate groups, with Governor Gavin Newsom having already enacted laws targeting antisemitism.

Future initiatives may include boosting security funding for Jewish centers, schools, and religious sites. Adoption of the 2023 National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism would involve tracking antisemitism online and improving information exchange to avert violence.

The bill’s influence will surpass California’s boundaries, with national leaders and officials needing to monitor its impact and prepare for potential repercussions. The debate about Jewish identity being beyond religious definition persists. Historical context, such as diaspora and cultural diversification, adds to the complex identity discourse.

Biologist Alain F. Corcos highlighted that Jewish history involves intermarriage and conversion, challenging the notion of a distinct race genetically. The U.S. judicial system has seen cases debating Jewish identity, where racial discrimination claims have been made under civil rights laws.

Modern sociologists and anthropologists continue to explore whether Judaism is primarily ethnic, religious, or both. A Pew Research Center survey found most Jews see their identity as combining religion, ancestry, and culture, instead of purely religious.

President Biden in 2023 mentioned how antisemitism undermines efforts towards a culture of respect and a diverse democracy. The California bill embraces diversity within and between groups, praised by its sponsor, State Senator Henry Stern. He emphasized the complexity of Jewish identity in America, referring to it as encompassing peoplehood, nationhood, ethnicity, and religion.

Austin Sarat, holding the William Nelson Cromwell Professorship in Jurisprudence and Political Science at Amherst College, is noted in the text. © 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved; this material should not be republished or redistributed.