July 16, 2025
July 16, 2025 – AJC Northern California hosted a Public Safety Forum in Berkeley in collaboration with Jewish Coalition of Berkeley (JCOB). We gathered at Congregation Netivot Shalom and were joined by panelists Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson, Berkeley Police Sgt. Samantha Martinez, Sgt. Darrin Rafferty and Lt. Matt McGee, and Jewish Community Federation (JCF) Security Chief Rafael Brinner.
Teresa Drenick, AJC Deputy Director, moderated a dialogue that explored topics ranging from the legal definition of a hate crime, the process of investigation and prosecution, to the protection of Jewish institutions and safety protocol at protests.
The Berkeley Scanner and the J.Weekly covered the evening:
- Amid rising antisemitism, Berkeley Jews hold safety forum
- Safety briefings in Berkeley, S.F., address antisemitism concerns
We are grateful to our event co-sponsors: Jewish Community Federation, JCRC Bay Area, Congregation Beth Israel, Congregation Netivot Shalom, Congregation Beth El, and Chabad Berkeley.
PHOTO: District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson speaks to audience members at Berkeley Public Safety Forum on July 16, 2025
July 14, 2025 – AJC co-hosted a San Francisco Public Safety Briefing with JCRC Bay Area and the Jewish Community Federation featuring District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, SFPD Ingleside Station Captain Amy Hurwitz, and Jewish Community Federation Security Chief Rafael Brinner.
Panelists delved into the importance of reporting all antisemitic incidents and the distinction between hate crimes and hate speech. SFPD made clear that the department is committed to investigating hate-fueled incidents, and the District Attorney voiced her commitment to prosecuting both felony and misdemeanor hate crimes.
