California Jews might be forgiven a little chest-thumping in the wake of June's Senate primaries. Both of the state's seats are up for grabs this November, and three of the four candidates are Jewish. The fourth is so pro-Israel that he's known among his Jewish supporters as "Mr. Samaria."

If the two Democrats former San Francisco mayor Diane Feinstein and five-term U.S. Rep. Barbara Boxer win, they will double the female presence in the 100-member Senate.

Republican contenders are ultra-conservative TV commentator Bruce Herschensohn probably the most hard-line pro-Israel candidate in the country and recently appointed incumbent John Seymour, a non-Jewish businessman who is the former mayor of Anaheim. Seymour's two distinctions are his hawkish "Mr. Samaria" support of Israel and his success in wooing the Rams football team from LA to Anaheim.

Feinstein, the best-known of the four, didn't emphasize her Jewish background until her unsuccesful run for governor in 1990. In the senatorial primary, she reminded voters her paternal grandfather, Sam Goldman, fled Poland for San Francisco, where he helped found three synagogues and the Hebrew Free Loan Association. She didn't mention her mother was Russian Orthodox and that she herself is a regular churchgoer.

She is, however, a substantial contributor to the UJA and AIPAC, the Israel lobby in Washington, and all three of her marriages were to Jews. Said one local: "If you call yourself Jewish, give to Jewish causes and marry Jews, there is something to be said for considering yourself Jewish." Boxer, born Barbara Levy, is somewhat suspect for Jews who identify Israel as their top issue, because of her consistent opposition to foreign aid, including military assistance for Israel. Still, she does support moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

With Feinstein running against the unknown Seymour and Boxer opposing the hard-line Herschensohn, there's a good chance that 1992 will be the Year of the Jewish Women in California at least. Sheli Teitelbaum/Los Angeles Running hard: Feinstein (left) and Boxer