Your progressive Zionist voice in California.
We thank you all for your hard work and commitment to making this model curriculum reflective of the many communities who live in California. This draft is finally on its way to fulfilling the core call of inclusion and education of AB 2016.
An Open Letter to the California Department of Education October 14, 2020 Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony ThurmondChief Deputy Superintendent Stephanie GregsonInstructional Quality Commission Executive Director Shanine CoatsInstructional Quality Commission Members Re: Anti-Zionism as a Cover for Hatred of the Jewish People Dear State Superintendent Thurmond, Chief Deputy Superintendent Gregson, IQC Executive Director Coats, and …
An Open Letter to the California Department of Education Read More »
Jewish JournalAaron Bandler10/01/2020 Several Jewish groups praised California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, for vetoing a bill on Sept. 30 that eventually would have required the state’s high school students to take a course on ethnic studies. Newsom explained in his signing statement that he was vetoing the bill, AB 331, because “there is much uncertainty about …
Jewish Groups Praise Newsom for Vetoing Ethnic Studies Bill Read More »
Progressive Zionists of California (PZC) thanks California Governor Gavin Newsom for his Wednesday veto of AB 331, a bill requiring all California high school students to complete an ethnic studies class before graduating high school. PZC strongly supports the addition of an ethnic studies curriculum in California high schools. However, we have a number of …
Dear Governor Newsom, I write on behalf of Progressive Zionists of California, a grassroots collective of activists and California Democratic Party leaders dedicated to reshaping the discourse around Zionism and antisemitism in California Democratic politics. Firstly, thank you for your leadership in ensuring that the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum (ESMC) remains free of antisemitic content. …
Letter to Governor Newsom: Remaining Concerns with the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum Read More »
San Diego Jewish World Matthew Finkelstein 8/28/2020 SAN DIEGO — I knew some in the San Diego County Democratic Central Committee were on a mission to make it impossible for Jews to be openly Zionist, but it wasn’t until I saw for myself that I understood how truly dire the situation has become. As a …
In August 2019, California Department of Education released the first draft of an Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum, which was roundly condemned by Jewish organizations. Californians submitted thousands of public comments, and a new draft was put in the works. On August 3, 2020, the CDE released that draft. Numerous changes were made, but there are lingering concerns. …
Progressive Zionists of California is troubled by the lack of transparency from the California Department of Education in its process for ensuring that the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum is free of antisemitic content. We fully support the inclusion of Pacific Islander and Arab American experiences in the curriculum, as well as the effort to include …
PZC troubled by lacking CDE transparency in Ethnic Studies revision process Read More »
By Andrea Beth Damsky, CDP Resolutions Committee Member & PZC Executive Board Vice Chair The CDP’s Spring meeting was cancelled due to the pandemic, so the Resolutions Committee had a large docket of 100 resolutions to consider this month! We also reviewed ballot measures, as we do preceding every election. Ever wonder how the California …
While the Progressive Zionists of California is incredibly pleased with many of the changes to the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum and the primary focus on the four foundational disciplines, we still have significant concerns about the portrayal of Jewish Americans.