Last week I attended a California gubernatorial forum organized by a coalition of major Jewish organizations from across the state. Five candidates took the stage to address issues important to Jewish voters, from affordability and taxes to rising antisemitism. The discussion was wide-ranging. But one moment stood out. It took 62 minutes, in a 90 minute forum, before the word “Israel” was spoken. And during those first 62 minutes, the candidates were already discussing antisemitism.

The moment finally came when former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa reached for the small US and Israeli flag pin on his lapel. “I wear this pin because I believe Israel has a right to exist,” he said. “I wear this pin because I know what ‘from the river to the sea’ means.”

The candidates were there to discuss issues affecting Jewish Californians, and the Jewish community in California cares about a wide range of concerns. Affordability,........

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