Newly Formed Bay Area Group Aims To Confront Antisemitism

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA — A newly formed Bay Area group that aims to confront the rise of antisemitism has tapped three public officials for leadership roles.

The Bay Area Network of Jewish Officials (BANJO) announced earlier this week that San Rafael Vice Mayor Rachel Kertz (North Bay), Belmont Mayor Julia Mates (Peninsula) and El Cerrito (East Bay) City Councilmember Tessa Rudnick will serve as regional chairs.

The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) on Monday announced BANJO’s launch in a news release.

JCRC Bay Area is the largest collective voice of Bay Area Jews, and BANJO already includes more than 50 Jewish elected officials from all nine Bay Area counties, the group said in a statement.

The JCRC plans to host regular networking and professional development gatherings, deepen Jewish elected engagement in Bay Area government, education, and civic spaces, and serve as a trusted resource for members.

“As JCRC saw rising antisemitism, we knew we needed a community-wide response. JCRC also recognizes that elected Jewish officials face unique challenges in public life – from simple misunderstandings about Jewish identity to outright discrimination,” El Cerrito Councilmember Rudnick said in a statement.

“This new network for Jewish elected officials, BANJO, allows us to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships, share best practices, and speak with a common voice on issues of mutual concern.”

The group’s launch comes amid a global rise in antisemitism that includes several incidents in the Bay Area in recent months.

Flyers laced with antisemitic messaging were distributed in Marin communities February, April, July, September and November of this year.

A Petaluma man admitted earlier this year that his group was behind the distribution of antisemitic flyers in the Bay Area and beyond, The San Francisco Chronicle reports. Jon Minadeo runs Goyim TV, according to the report.

Although not a violation of the law, police said the incidents are considered “hate-motivated,” which is described as an action motivated by hate but legally protected by the First Amendment.

It was against that backdrop that local Jewish leaders felt compelled to launch BANJO, JCRC Bay Area CEO Tye Gregory said.

“When we gathered elected officials to discuss future partnerships, we found there was a need for Jewish officials to have a space to network, build skills, and speak out given the current environment, and that JCRC would be the perfect convener to do so," Gregory said in a statement.

"Leading up to today’s announcement, JCRC Bay Area held regional meetings in the North Bay, East Bay, and Peninsula.”