FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2024

New 501c4 will serve as the home for Bay Area Jewish advocacy 

SAN FRANCISCO, California, August 16, 2024 — Today, Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), in partnership with Bay Area Jewish community leaders, announced the formation of Bay Area Jewish Action (BAJA), a new nonpartisan 501c4 political advocacy organization focused on deeper engagement in politics and government at the local and state level. BAJA will engage with candidates, elected officials, and advocacy organizations to promote fighting antisemitism, support issues that align with Jewish values, and advance a just society where Jewish identity is embraced and all people can thrive. BAJA will also empower Jewish community members with tools and resources to advocate for themselves and to educate candidates and elected officials. 

“After the deadly October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent rise in antisemitism, it was clear that the Bay Area Jewish community needed to strengthen its advocacy efforts,” said Tyler Gregory, JCRC Bay Area CEO, who will also serve as BAJA’s executive director. “BAJA will be the conduit we have long needed to further enact change in the region’s politics and government, while staying true to our Jewish values of social justice and equal rights.”

“During this unprecedented and uncertain moment for Bay Area Jews, it is crucial that our community feels safe, heard and understood,” said Neal Rubin, president of BAJA. “BAJA is an important new resource that will allow us to forge greater ties with lawmakers and advocate for our consensus views. We look forward to connecting with changemakers who are committed to making the Bay Area a welcoming and thriving place for all.” 

BAJA will engage in targeted advocacy, education, organizing, and political engagement in order to reach elected officials, candidates seeking public office, and political organizations. 

BAJA will fulfill its mission by:

  • Fostering political action, including financial support, within the Bay Area Jewish community for issues-aligned candidates running for office; 
  • Educating, engaging, and advancing relationships with candidates seeking public office, current office holders, and political organizations; 
  • Training and supporting local Jewish leaders and allies who are seeking office, political appointments, or other positions in the public sector; 
  • Advocating for specific policy outcomes/positions within political parties, unions, and other political groups. 

BAJA will advance all the consensus policy positions of the Bay Area Jewish community developed by JCRC, including core issues such as combating antisemitism, supporting the Jewish and democratic state of Israel, and ensuring Jewish inclusion in public  life, as well as advocating for civic issues such as LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights, racial justice, and immigration. Our Jewish values compel our community to speak out and, given our diversity, many Jewish community members – including women, LGBTQ+ Jews, and Jews of color – are directly impacted by the decisions of lawmakers on these topics. BAJA is not a Political Action Committee (PAC) and will not be directly contributing to or endorsing candidates. 

BAJA invites interested residents to become involved in BAJA fundraising efforts for issues-aligned candidates including through digital communications and hosting events. Bay Area residents who are interested in becoming involved in BAJA’s efforts and learning about candidates for elected office are invited to join BAJA here. 

ABOUT BAJA

Bay Area Jewish Action (BAJA) is a nonpartisan 501(c)(4) nonprofit political advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the consensus positions of the Bay Area Jewish community. By supporting and partnering with candidates, elected officials, and political organizations in alignment with our Jewish values, BAJA creates a safe and inclusive environment for the Jewish community in the Bay and beyond. http://bayareajewishaction.org. 

ABOUT JCRC 

JCRC Bay Area is the largest collective voice of Bay Area Jews, working in pursuit of a more just world where Jewish identity is embraced and all people thrive. By building bridges and working in coalition with diverse ethnic, faith, political, and civic communities, we foster partnerships, provide meaningful educational and engagement opportunities, and build consensus for actionable solutions to real-world challenges. For more information, please visit www.jcrc.org.