A Historic Win for Safety at Every House of Worship

Dear Friend,

Less than a year ago, protesters set off smoke bombs and physically blockaded the doors of Wilshire Boulevard Temple, preventing families from reaching their children who were inside at school.

A scene like that has no place outside any house of worship, anywhere. Our Federation activated immediately, determined to make sure this could never happen again in Los Angeles.

Today, we are thrilled to share that California Assembly Bill 2664 — the Safe Worship Zone Act — was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom at Wilshire Boulevard Temple.

Jewish Federation Los Angeles led the statewide effort to pass this landmark legislation, in partnership with Jewish California, the ADL, and JCRC San Francisco, helping to ensure that people of every faith can safely enter and leave their places of worship.

This landmark legislation establishes a 100-foot buffer zone around the entrances of houses of worship. Inside that zone, no one may approach a congregant within eight feet — without their consent — to hand them a leaflet, display a sign, or engage in protest or harassment. The law protects the right to peaceful protest while helping ensure that congregants are protected from intimidation, obstruction, and harassment, because everyone should be able to gather in worship safely and without fear.

“The Safe Worship Zone Act is a victory for every Californian of faith, and proof that when a broad, multi-faith coalition speaks with one voice, we can make sure no one has to run a gauntlet of fear just to walk into their synagogue, mosque, or church. I’m grateful to the more than fifty interfaith partners who joined us in this effort and demonstrated what’s possible when communities of faith come together with purpose. We look forward to ensuring this law is understood and enforced in faith communities throughout California,” said Rabbi Noah Farkas, President and CEO Jewish Federation Los Angeles.

Your Federation Led This Fight

This victory did not happen on its own — it is the result of sustained advocacy that your Federation helped lead, every step of the way:

1. We convened more than 50 interfaith partners to build a broad, multi-faith coalition around protecting access to houses of worship while respecting the right to peaceful protest.
2. We engaged state legislators across the Assembly and Senate to build support for the legislation and elevate the needs of faith communities.
3. We brought community members and subject-matter experts to Sacramento to testify and share firsthand perspectives on the importance of safe and accessible worship.
4. We built local awareness and support here at home, engaging the majority of the Los Angeles City Council and helping demonstrate the breadth of community interest in this issue.
5. Now, JFEDLA is turning to implementation — working with law enforcement and policymakers to make sure this law is understood and effectively enforced in communities across Los Angeles.

Our Thanks

We are deeply grateful to Governor Gavin Newsom for his leadership in signing this bill into law, and to the California Legislative Jewish Caucus — especially Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, who authored the bill. We also thank our Los Angeles Safe Worship Zone Coalition partners, who worked alongside us every step of the way, and each of you in our community who helped advocate in one, unified voice. Together, you showed what is possible when Angelenos come together.

For our community, the timing carries special meaning. As Jews across Los Angeles prepare to gather for Sukkot, we can enter our synagogues knowing that our community has taken an important step toward protecting these sacred spaces. JFEDLA looks forward to ensuring this bill’s implementation in Los Angeles, working closely with our representatives, law enforcement, and coalition partners in the months ahead.

With gratitude,

Jewish Federation Los Angeles