Data would track Jewish unemployment rates, school representation
The California Assembly on Monday approved legislation that would require state agencies collecting demographic information to add “Jewish” as a voluntary option for ethnicity or ancestry. The bill needs a final vote in the Legislature before going to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.
The stated purpose is to generate more detailed data on Jewish Californians — including unemployment rates and representation in schools — so state officials and researchers can better understand the community’s needs, and so lawmakers can craft policies that address them, according to David Bocarsly, CEO of Jewish California, an advocacy group.
“It’s about inclusion as a community,” Bocarsly said. He said the Legislature has passed laws in recent years to collect more inclusive demographic data on Middle Eastern, North African and LGBTQ+ communities.
Under the bill, state agencies that collect demographic information would be required to add the Jewish category. The data would give researchers and state officials a more granular view of how Jewish residents fare across employment, education and other measures.
The bill now awaits a final legislative vote before it can head to Gov. Newsom for his consideration.