On October 7, 2025 — the second anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel — Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 715, a statewide measure intended to counter antisemitism in K-12 schools.
The new law establishes a state Office of Civil Rights and creates a Governor-appointed Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator focused on training, guidance, and incident response across California’s public schools. Supporters framed the law as a first-in-the-nation effort to provide clear accountability and resources when antisemitic harassment or discrimination affects students and educators.
AB 715 was authored by Assemblymembers Rick Chavez Zbur and Dawn Addis and championed by the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, co-chaired by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel and Senator Scott Wiener.
In announcing the signing, Zbur said the law sends a clear message that antisemitism has no place in California schools. Addis called the measure a historic step centered on the wellbeing of children who have described difficult experiences in classrooms. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026.
What the law does is straightforward. It creates a statewide Office of Civil Rights and requires the Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator to develop and deliver educator training, advise districts on handling incidents, and make policy recommendations to the Legislature.
The law also directs state education leaders to maintain a dedicated web page of antisemitism resources for schools and families. According to the legislative text and analyses, the coordinator is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.
Backers say the law responds to a documented rise in antisemitic incidents impacting students. Jewish community organizations, including JPAC, applauded the signing and described the bill as the product of an unusually broad coalition effort in Sacramento. State leaders highlighted the timing of the signing, noting both the increase in reported hate incidents and the need for practical tools for classrooms and administrators.
Thank you to Assemblymembers Rick Chavez Zbur, Dawn Addis, Jesse Gabriel, and Senator Scott Wiener for their leadership and support. They worked tirelessly on this bill. As did all the JPAC staff. They were instrumental in guiding and educating the lawmakers.
I attended the hearings. I was deeply concerned by the intensity and tone of the opposition. A number of opponents, including many ethnic studies majors from Sacramento State (probably got extra credit from their questionable professors), strongly opposed a bill intended to help ensure Jewish students feel safer and more supported in the classroom. Makes one wonder why.
It’s troubling to see such resistance to establishing fair and balanced standards. It raises serious questions about why some are so intent on including narratives that present extremist violence and terrorism against the Jews to very young children. Why are they subjecting kids to such nightmares? They’re taking a page out of the Hamas page book. Start the hatred young.