California

Judge orders Kars4Kids to disclose where donations go

Judge bars Kars4Kids from advertising in California, saying it misled donors about Orthodox Jewish mission.

California

Judge bars Jewish DA from prosecuting 'death to Israel' vandals

Judge Kelley Paul claimed that DA Jeff Rosen should not have called the occupation of the university president's office and vandalism 'antisemitic' and ordered him off the case.

California:

Activist pleads guilty in fatal attack on Jewish demonstrator

Former professor pleads guilty to manslaughter in the death of Paul Kessler during a protest north of Los Angeles in November of 2023.

Backlash after antisemitic content in California voter guide

California Jewish groups decry antisemitic conspiracy theories printed in governor’s race voter guide.

California sues Oakland schools over antisemitism response

California sues Oakland school district, saying district ignored order to address antisemitism.

'Kill all Jews' message at San Jose State University

Less than a week after 2 Jews were assaulted in San Jose, graffiti calling for the eradication of a "minimum" of 5 million Jews was left on a wall at SJSU.

Bulletin warns of potential Iranian drone attack on California

An FBI bulletin warned Iran could launch drones from a vessel near California if the US strikes the regime, though officials say details remain unclear.

Watch:

Israelis beaten unconscious in California

Lior Zehavi and Daniel Levi were forced to the ground and beaten by three assailants outside a restaurant after they were overheard speaking Hebrew.

Gavin Newsom questions future of US military aid to Israel

Gavin Newsom says some ‘appropriately’ call Israel an ‘apartheid state’ while questioning US military aid.

Jewish parents across California sue state over antisemitism

Louis D. Brandeis Center and StandWithUS organizations file a lawsuit against the state of California on behalf of Jewish parents across the state whose children have experienced pervasive antisemitism in the public school system.

Anti-Israel protesters crash premiere of 'Scream 7'

Anti-Israel orgs organize protest against Paramount for firing of lead actress who made anti-Israel posts.

Beverly Hills

Venue backtracks after forcing Israeli to denounce 'genocide'

A Beverly Hills theater barred Israeli comic Guy Hochman and demanded political disavowals, then apologized after backlash and accusations of discrimination.

Anti-Zionist graffiti scrawled on synagogue destroyed wildfire

Rubble of Pasadena synagogue destroyed in wildfire is vandalized with anti-Zionist graffiti.

California Mayor under fire for calling Bondi massacre false flag

Richmond Mayor and DSU member Eduardo Martinez faces calls to resign after sharing claims the Bondi Beach massacre was a false flag attack and previous antisemitic comments.

Just before Hanukkah

California Jewish home targeted in drive-by shooting

Police investigate drive-by shooting at Redlands Jewish home decorated for Hanukkah; ADL, officials condemn antisemitic attack. Suspect remains at large.

Los Angeles

Protesters storm synagogue and vandalize property; 2 arrested

During an anti-Israel demonstration, chants of “baby killers,” “Zionist pigs,” and “scum of the earth” were heard. Two suspects were arrested.

4 killed, 10 wounded in shooting at California birthday party

US media reported that a shooting during a child's birthday party in the city of Stockton, California, led to the deaths of at least four people and the injury of ten others.

California man charged after synagogue bomb threats

Elijah King, 36, arraigned on federal charges after threatening to bomb synagogues near San Luis Obispo. DOJ says he posted antisemitic rhetoric and faces up to 15 years in prison.

Nancy Pelosi announces retirement from Congress

Longtime Democratic leader will step down in 2027 after nearly 40 years in the House.

Unprecedented and historic:

California: Special new office to combat antisemitism in schools

California creates new office to combat antisemitism in public schools, after Newsom signs divisive bill.

California:

Helicopter crash injures five in Huntington Beach

A helicopter crash near a Huntington Beach hotel leaves five people hospitalized. The chopper struck palm trees and nose-dived into the road.

Activist sentenced to 19 years for Berkeley firebomb attacks

Pro-Palestinian arsonist sentenced to 19 years in prison for bombing police car in Berkeley.

Beverly Hills:

Schools to fly Israeli flag during Jewish Heritage Month

Beverly Hills school board narrowly votes to fly Israeli flags in effort to combat antisemitism.

Family suing OpenAI for encouraging teen's suicide

Adam Raine allegedly shared details of his plans to take his own life with ChatGPT - which offered to 'validate and improve' his thoughts..

California:

Parents of missing infant arrested on suspicions of murder

Rebecca Renee Haro, 41, and Jake Mitchell Haro, 32, parents of missing 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro, arrested approximately one week after their son went mysteriously missing.

California:

Jewish coalition opposes UCLA antisemitism settlement demands

California Jewish groups say Trump $1B demand of UCLA ‘does not make Jewish students safer.’

California man arrested for allegedly funding ISIS terror group

Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, a 28-year-old man from Long Beach, California, arrested for allegedly sending over $1,600 to ISIS. Department of Justice says he communicated with ISIS terrorists and expressed his intention to join the terror group.

Harris declines 2026 governor run

Former US Vice President announces she will not run for California governor in 2026, signals continued political involvement and hints at upcoming announcements.

Hundreds of US Marines mobilized to support National Guard in LA

Over 700 US Marines mobilized to support National Guard troops in Los Angeles amid protests, in the largest such deployment since 1992.

Amid ethnic studies debate:

California lawmakers join forces to fight antisemitism in schools

In a first, California’s Jewish, Black, Latino, and Asian Caucuses back a new bill targeting antisemitism in education, as controversy grows over ethnic studies and Israel-related content.

1 dead in 'terrorist' bombing at California fertility clinic

Powerful explosion outside the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, killing 1 and wounding 4.

3 illegal migrants charged in murder of Israeli businessman

The 3 men arrested and charged in the brutal murder of Alexander Modebadze reportedly identified as Georgian nationals who entered the US illegally.

Revealed:

Alexander Modebadze and Meni Hidhra victims of twin LA murders

The two Israeli businessmen were murdered hours apart in same LA neighborhood; with one held captive for hours and beaten to death.

Israeli man found dead in Los Angeles

A 45-year-old Israeli man was found dead on Saturday in his home in the Woodland Hills neighborhood in Los Angeles, California.

California:

School board members accused of antisemitism during meeting

Board members from the Pajaro Valley Unified School District hurl antisemitic accusations at opponents of ethnic studies curriculum discriminatory against Jews and Israel.

Irish band displays anti-Israel message at California festival

‘F–k Israel’ message displayed at Coachella music festival and streamed to millions.

Requirements to become a truck driver in California

Becoming a truck driver in California involves meeting specific requirements that ensure safety and compliance with state regulations

California ethnic studies found discriminatory towards Jews

California DOE finds school’s ethnic studies curriculum discriminated against Jewish students.

Kamala Harris seriously considering running for CA governor

Kamala Harris weighing California gubernatorial bid, decision expected by summer's end.

California:

Settlement reached for lawsuit on antisemitic 'ethnic studies'

California school district halts ethnic studies courses following lawsuit over alleged antisemitism.

Rabbi Tzvi Tau:

US fires due to support for LGBT agenda

'They didn't succeed in extinguishing the fires because the fire department was handed over to women; they are only busy with LGBT matters and not with putting out fires,' Rabbi Tzvi Tau says.

Tens of thousands evacuated as new fire erupts near Los Angeles

Wildfire erupts near Castaic Lake, north of Los Angeles, rapidly spreading and forcing 31,000 residents to evacuate.

Anti-Israel activist blames Israel for California wildfires

Fatima Mousa Mohammed, who infamously went on a diatribe against Israel at her CUNY commencement speech, blames climate change directly caused by the war in Gaza for the Los Angeles wildfires.

LA wildfires:

Police investigating Kenneth fire as arson, one detained

LAPD says they have arrested one individual suspected of causing the Kenneth fire, one of the five wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County.

Another synagogue destroyed:

Torah scrolls rescued from Chabad center during LA fires

Century-old Conservative synagogue burned to the ground in minutes, Chabad center damaged and loses its menorahs, in Palisades Fire.

Mandatory evacuations ordered as wildfire rages in Los Angeles

More than 30,000 residents in Los Angeles area are under a mandatory evacuation order as wildfire rages in Pacific Palisades.

Lawsuit seeks to ban Congressmen from voting for aid to Israel

21 California residents sue Democratic Reps. Mike Thompson and Jared Huffman for voting in favor of a military aid package to Israel, claiming the suffered emotional harm from the vote.

California:

Two Democratic representatives face lawsuit for supporting Israel

Mike Thompson and Jared Huffman, two Bay Area House representatives, face class-action suit for supporting Israel aid.

'Unacceptable and disturbing'

California DMV revokes 'LOLOCT7' license plate

California Department of Motor Vehicles revokes and apologizes for personalized truck license plate which was perceived as mocking Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack. Truck owner's son says the plate had no connection to the attack.

Palestinian runs over Israeli man in California

Israeli man hospitalized with compound fracture in his leg after being run over by a Palestinian-Iranian man in what police are treating as a hate crime.

California:

School shooter motivated by Palestinian genocide and oppresion

A note left by a mentally ill man who fired at California kindergarteners declared he was 'imposing countermeasures for the genocide of Palestinians'.

7.0 earthquake of California coast, triggering tsunami warnings

Powerful 7.0 earthquake struck off the coast of northern California. Tsunami warnings following quake canceled.

Court:

Unconstitutional not to fund special ed in religious schools

California law against special education funding for religious schools violates constitution, court rules.

California:

Man caught in illegal possession of weapons near Trump event

The Riverside County Sheriff said that Vem Miller, a 49-year-old resident of Las Vegas, was stopped at a checkpoint near the rally and was found to be illegally in possession of a shotgun, a loaded handgun, and a high-capacity magazine.

New California law to aid Holocaust art restitution

California passes law to help Holocaust survivors and heirs recover Nazi-looted art.

California's penalties for drunk drivers

As part of the state's plan to reduce drunk driving, California has begun using several different penalties for inebriated drivers.

Lawsuit uncovers antisemitism in Santa Ana School District

The ADL, the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, AJC, and Covington & Burling to add supporting evidence in lawsuit against the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) for violations of California’s open meetings laws.

Anti-Israel protestors target California synagogue, Jewish school

Activists gather outside Shaarey Zedek Congregation in Valley Village, California to protest Israel, angering parents of children attending the school there.

California:

Anti-Israel group claims responsibility for arson on campus

A group identifying itself as the 'Marilyn's Daughters' declared that it had set the fires as a part of a larger 'operation in solidarity with the Palestinian people.'

After being placed on leave:

University president who agreed to boycott Israel retires

Sonoma State University President announces his retirement, just days after being placed on administrative leave for making concessions to anti-Israel student groups on campus.