AJC Los Angeles met with Cardinal Roger Mahony to discuss our shared belief in the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform. Graciously hosted by AJC past Chairman Peter Weil, the conversation ranged from the textual basis in the Bible and New Testament for immigration reform, to the historical experiences of Catholic and Jewish communities as scapegoats of anti-immigrant bias, to current issues and misconceptions. AJC past President Bruce Ramer noted the common belief of both communities that, “immigration serves to inject plasma into the lifeblood of a nation.”

AJC Director of Interreligious and Intergroup Affairs Rabbi Gary Greenebaum commented on AJC’s longstanding commitment to immigration reform.  Other honored guests included Co-Chair of the Catholic Jewish Women’s Dialogue Barbara Durand, Director of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Father Alexei Smith, Loyola Marymount University Chair of Theology Professor Jeffrey Siker, and LMU Professor and member of the US Academy of Hispanic Catholic Theologians Cecilia González-Andrieu.