The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, an independent, bipartisan agency charged with monitoring federal civil rights enforcement, has 51 State Advisory Committees -- one for each state and the District of Columbia.

Dollinger is one of 18 individuals to serve on the California Advisory Committee, which assists the federal commission with fact-finding, investigating and distributing information. State Advisory Committee members are chosen for their familiarity with local and state civil rights issues.

"Professor Dollinger, with his qualifications and experience, will prove to be a valuable addition to the commission's California Advisory Committee as it undertakes its mission to identify and report on civil rights issues of concern," said Kenneth Marcus, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights staff director.

Dollinger, whose books include "California Jews" and "Quest for Inclusion: Jews and Liberalism in Modern America," focuses his teaching and research on Jewish social ethics and civic responsibility in politics, education, public policy, inter-group relations and religious expression. His areas of expertise are Jewish history of the United States and California, Jewish social responsibility, liberalism, modern Jewish identity, Jews and public policy, and separation of church and state.

Dollinger, an active member of the Jewish community in the Bay Area, joined SF State in 2002 and earned his doctorate in history from University of California, Los Angeles, in 1993.

Members of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights' State Advisory Committee receive no compensation. They are recommended by a regional director, approved by the staff director, and voted upon at a meeting of the eight federal commissioners. Each committee member serves a two-year term and can be reappointed.

-- Matt Itelson