Governor Gavin Newsom has officially proclaimed May 2026 as "Jewish Heritage Month" in California, recognizing the significant contributions and enduring resilience of Jewish Americans across the state. California is home to the second-largest Jewish population in the U.S., with diverse communities enriching its culture, politics, and civil society.
"Throughout our history, generations of Jewish immigrants fleeing persecution have sought the promise of freedom and opportunity to start life anew in America," Governor Newsom said. He added that "California is indelibly intertwined with and improved by the Jewish community, which has been part of this state since the very first days of our statehood." The proclamation highlights the presence of Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Mizrahi, Persian, Israeli, Ethiopian, and Latin American Jewish populations within the state.
The proclamation also addresses the persistent issue of antisemitism and bigotry. California is actively working to protect its communities, having released the state's first-ever plan to counter antisemitism and investing in increased security for houses of worship and at-risk cultural centers. These efforts follow recommendations from the Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education's report on genocide education.
Governor Newsom affirmed, "California will continue to lead the fight to confront all forms of racial, ethnic, and religious hate across our society with education and empathy." The month serves as a tribute to the Jewish people's contributions to California's story and a celebration of shared commitments to pluralism, cultural diversity, and religious freedom.