The State of Antisemitism in California
As antisemitic incidents reach alarming levels across California, AJU President Jeffrey Herbst and Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, engage in a critical discussion on the rise of hate targeting Jewish communities. As Gabriel is also chair of the Assembly’s Budget Committee, he is one of the most prominent Jewish politicians in the state. They will discuss accusations of antisemitism at California public universities, controversies over ethnic studies curriculums, and the safety of Jewish communities. Assemblymember Gabriel will shed light on these troubling trends, discuss the root causes fueling this surge in antisemitism, and explain the steps being taken at the legislative level to address and prevent such acts. A Q&A session will follow, giving attendees the opportunity to engage directly with Assemblymember Gabriel on this urgent issue.
Jesse Gabriel represents the San Fernando Valley in the California State Assembly. He serves as Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, Co-Chair of the Legislative Jewish Caucus, and leads the Gun Violence Working Group. Asm. Gabriel has been a champion for children, working families, small businesses, reproductive freedom, gun safety, and the environment, and has passed first-in-the nation laws focused on food safety, social media transparency, and gun violence prevention.
Dr. Jeffrey Herbst, the fourth president of American Jewish University (AJU), is an advocate for academic innovation. His leadership at AJU includes fostering growth in the Maas Center for Jewish Journeys, expanding the Maven digital platform, and improving the Brandeis-Bardin Campus. Formerly, he served as president and CEO of the Newseum and the Newseum Institute in Washington, DC. Notable achievements include successfully overseeing a half billion-dollar fundraising campaign, implementing a university-wide strategic plan, and enhancing educational programming at Colgate University, where he was president from 2010 to 2015. Dr. Herbst holds a summa cum laude bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, as well as a master’s and doctorate in political science from Yale University. He is the author of the award-winning “States and Power in Africa” and, with several co-authors, the just-published “Making Africa Work.” In addition to many books and articles, he has been published in Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and many other digital and print publications around the world.