AJC and Stephen Wise Temple are advocating for an inclusive and balanced California Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum (ESMC).

In March 2021, Wise and AJC presented two informative and inspirational panels on the California ESMC: what went wrong, what was addressed and corrected through collaborative efforts, and how we can move forward to guarantee implementation and oversight. Both sessions are now viewable online and feature policymakers and thought leaders speaking frankly about the role we all play in local and state government when it comes to education and equity.

Find out how a strategy of engagement as well as appropriate pressure resulted in the desired revisions and how many key figures from the Jewish community helped to make meaningful change in the curriculum to address systemic antisemitism in academic and other communal settings.

This series was made possible by the generosity of Wise Members Adena and Bill Frank.

Understanding the California Ethnic Studies Curriculum: Part One

Recorded on March 3, 2021.

Topic: Why the ESMC is important to the Jewish community and how to meet the challenges in implementing it.

Panelists:

  • California Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel — Chair, CA Legislature Jewish Caucus, lived in Israel for 4  years
  • Shekhinah Larks — Program Coordinator, Be’chol Lashon, testified in opposition to first ethnic studies bill as a Jew of color
  • Sarah Levin — Executive Director, Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa
  • Daniel Gold — Vice President of Israel Education and Advocacy, Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, which is a member of The Jewish Public Affairs Committee and has been working with a broad coalition across the state advocating at the State level to ensure the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum is free of bias against Jews and includes narratives on Jewish Americans.
  • Moderator: Rabbi Ron Stern, Stephen Wise Temple

Part Two: Building Bridges

Recorded on March 10, 2021.

Topic: Building Bridges – lessons learned and alliances strengthened. Why a balanced and inclusive ESCM is good for the Jews and good for California.

Panelists:

  • California Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager-Dove
  • LAUSD Board Member Nick Melvoin
  • Anita Friedman — Executive Director, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, member of the Instructional Quality Commission with direct oversight of curriculum development and advisory role to State Board of Education
  • Moderator: Richard Hirschhaut, Director of AJC Los Angeles