Empowering Leaders.
Inspiring Change.
Empowering current and future leaders to build a more compassionate and just society
The Jewish Center for Justice is a distinguished social justice, education, and leadership development platform that meets each individual where they are in their journey to inspire change.
The Micah D. Bycel Fund for Legislative Fellows
On August 27, 2022, the Jewish Center for Justice community suffered a devastating loss with the sudden and untimely death of Board Member Micah Bycel (z”l).
The JCJ community has created a special fund to honor Micah’s memory and secure his legacy. Micah was a kind and compassionate soul. He saw a broken world and was determined to make it better for his kids and the next generation. In his honor, The Micah D. Bycel Fund for Legislative Fellows will help shape the next generation of Jewish justice activists.
In addition to the Fund, we have renamed the program, The Micah D. Bycel Legislative Fellowship. All future fellows will learn of Micah’s memory and advocate for justice in his honor.
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Meeting the Moment: JCJ’s 2026 Legislative Priorities
The challenges facing California in 2026 are not abstract or distant. They are already shaping daily life: from rising antisemitism and threats to LGBTQ+ safety, to housing insecurity, healthcare interference, climate disasters, and difficult budget decisions that test our values.
At the Jewish Center for Justice, we know that this is a moment for serious, values-driven leadership. Our work is grounded in a simple but demanding principle: a just society protects the vulnerable, defends rights, and builds systems strong enough to endure crisis. That principle guides our legislative priorities for the year ahead.
Confronting antisemitism.
Antisemitic incidents continue to rise in schools, workplaces, and public spaces. Too often, institutions lack the tools or the will to respond effectively. California must lead by confronting antisemitism directly and protecting Jewish life with clarity and resolve.
Defending LGBTQ+ rights and healthcare autonomy.
Across the country, political efforts are interfering in personal medical decisions, especially for transgender youth and their families. In California, healthcare decisions must remain where they belong: with patients, families, and medical professionals, not politicians.
Addressing housing affordability.
California’s housing crisis continues to strain families and communities. Safe, stable housing is foundational to dignity and opportunity, and meaningful solutions must reduce barriers, expand access, and reflect the scale of the problem.
Strengthening climate resilience and infrastructure.
From wildfires to floods, climate-related threats are no longer theoretical. The choices lawmakers make today will determine how safely we live tomorrow. California needs solutions that reduce risk and strengthen systems, not policies that make existing dangers worse.
Facing fiscal reality without abandoning values.
Budget constraints are real. But obligations to safety, dignity, and opportunity cannot be the first things cut. A fair budget reflects who we are and what we believe.
JCJ approaches this work not as a reaction to crisis, but as a commitment to the long-term health of our democracy and our communities. The urgency of this moment demands focus, discipline, and action — and that is the work we are committed to doing in 2026.
JCJ Statement on the killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis
The killing of Renee Nicole Good at the hands of ICE was not an isolated incident. It is simply one of the few that was caught on camera. Across this country, we are witnessing a disturbing pattern: people shot in the streets, individuals violently detained, and...
Resources for Those Impacted by SNAP Delays and the Shutdown
As we near the one-month mark of the federal government shutdown, we know this has been an incredibly stressful and uncertain time for many. So we want to make a few things clear. If you’ve missed a paycheck — or are about to — we are here for you. If you’re among the...
