David Bocarsly

David Bocarsly is the Executive Director of the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPAC), the voice of California’s Jewish community to the State Capitol, and the largest single-state coalition of Jewish organizations in the nation. Comprised of over 30 leading Jewish community organizations – including Jewish Federations, Jewish Community Relations Councils, Jewish Family Service agencies, and others – JPAC advocates in Sacramento on behalf of the Jewish community’s concerns and broadly shared values.

Prior to joining JPAC, David served as the Director of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, curating and implementing legislative and advocacy efforts for its 18 elected officials. In that capacity, he created an annual Tikkun Olam–Repairing the World bill package, guided the Caucus’s efforts to establish a widely-accepted statewide Ethnic Studies curriculum, and drove advocacy efforts that secured over $150 million from the state budget for Jewish community priorities.

He has worked for campaigns and elected officials at all levels of government, including U.S. Congressmember Jerry Nadler. Previously, he was a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs, UCLA’s first kippah-wearing Student Body President, and earned his Master of Public Policy degree from USC with a Certificate in Social Justice.

David is an alumnus of many distinguished fellowships, including the New Leaders Council Institute, Schusterman Foundation’s ROI Community, Jewish Federation’s New Leaders Project, and America Indivisible’s Public Leaders for Inclusion Council. He serves as a delegate to the Democratic State Central Committee, on the Jewish Democratic Council of America’s New Leadership Council, and on the board of Los Angeles Hebrew High School.

David’s professional journey through the intersection of Judaism and politics stems from his Jewish upbringing in Los Angeles. His involvement in Camp Ramah, United Synagogue Youth, Nativ, and UCLA Hillel guided his belief in justice as a core component of Jewish tradition and political activism as an impactful tool to achieving desired change.

In his spare time, David enjoys dancing, backgammon, LA sports, and scenic overlooks. He is on Twitter at @davidbocarsly.