AJC Chanukah Party Brings the LA Community Together

Diplomatic, political, religious and civic leaders in Los Angeles joined members of the Chapter's Board of Directors at the lovely home of Barry Freeman and Robbin Itkin to celebrate Chanukah at AJC LA's annual 'Festival of Lights' celebration. Speaking at his first Chanukah in LA, Executive Director Seth Brysk, spoke of the warmth the LA community extended to him on his arrival. Attendees included new Israeli Consul General Jacob Dayan in one of his first public appearances, Congressman Howard Berman, and Keith Atkinson from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Promoting Tolerance Tour of Los Angeles a Huge Success

The 2007 Promoting Tolerance program brought thirteen young leaders from Central and Eastern Europe to Los Angeles for a three day educational program during which time they were exposed to organizations and initiatives that foster diversity, human rights, democracy, social action and Jewish life.The itinerary included a visit to People Assisting The Homeless (PATH), a tour of the LA Gay and Lesbian Center, and a visit to the Skirball Cultural Center. The participants were fascinated by the diversity of LA and will bring home to their countries a clearer understanding of pluralism. READ NEWS RELEASE. PARTICIPATE.

AJC Members Credited As Executive Producers on 'Darfur Now'

The American Jewish Committee, as part of its ongoing efforts to end the genocide in Darfur, created a Darfur Task Force in 2004 which had an idea to produce a documentary film on the subject. The result is the recently release film 'Darfur Now'. Executive board member Dean Schramm, Task Force Chair Fredrick Levin, and AJC Executive Director Rabbi Gary Greenebaum worked with production companies to launch the film. JTA wrote a story about AJC's role in the project. READ NEWS RELEASE. READ JEWISH FORWARD STORY.

Latino Pastors Learn about the 'Essence of Judaism' Program

Earlier this year, AJC hosted a unique 'flag ceremony' with the Israeli Consul General during the festival of Sukkot with over 50 Latino Pastors READ NEWS RELEASE. READ STORY. The event was a kick off for a program series with Randy Brown, Director of Interreligious Affairs, teaching 40-50 leading Latino pastors about ancient Judaism, modern Jewish philosophy and Zionism. After completing the course, the pastors will be able to speak knowledgeably about the Jewish community and Israel to their Christian congregations. The program will end with an AJC mission to Israel with a select group of pastors. CONTACT FOR INFORMATION.

Elected Officials Discuss Energy Security with AJC

California State Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Sally Lieber, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry, former Beverly Hills Mayor Allan Alexander, and CALSTART's John Boesel addressed AJC members about our country's energy addiction and what is being done to end our oil dependence. Lieber spoke about her bill, the Plug In Hybrid Leadership Act, which AJC supported; Alexander and Perry talked about efforts to increase mass transit, particularly the Subway to the Sea; Boesel addressed business efforts to 'go green'. The program was hosted by AJC's Energy Security Committee. READ MORE.

AJC Tours St. Andrew's Church

Father Alexei Smith, Director of the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs for the LA Catholic Archdiocese, Randy Brown, AJC Director of Interreligious Affairs, and a group of AJC leaders attended an intimate service at Saint Andrew's Russian-Greek Catholic Church in El Segundo. The 'Sacred Spaces' Tour, part of an ongoing AJC series, included an insightful dialogue regarding Catholic Jewish relations and the striking similarities from ancient Jewish tradition of the liturgy and rituals used during the service. READ MORE.

Brindell Gottlieb Honored by David Harris

David Harris, AJC National Executive Director, presented Brindell Gottlieb the 2007 American Jewish Committee National Leadership Council Award, recognizing her commitment to the spirit and mission of AJC and her devotion to philanthropy and civic and communal activities. In his keynote remarks, Mr. Harris shared an analysis of current world events, including the historical context of the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel. The event was generously hosted by Brindell in her beautiful Bel Air home. National Leadership Council is a Giving Society of the AJC. READ MORE and DONATE TODAY.

Catholic Jewish Women Dialogue

Lisa Billig, AJC's Rome Representative and Liaison to the Holy See, visited LA and met with Catholic Tidings and Los Angeles Times newspapers. READ STORY. Billig then spoke to AJC's Catholic Jewish Women's group about her efforts in Rome to promote greater dialogue between the two faiths. The following week, 100 women gathered at Loyola Marymount University for the Catholic Jewish Women's Conference, co-chaired by AJC's Associate Director Saundra Mandel. Entitled, ‘Knocking at the Door: Struggling for Inclusion…Past, Present, and Future’, the conferees heard keynote speakers Sister Judy Diaz Molosky and Carol Levy before breaking into small dialogue groups to discuss the barriers to inclusion for women in Judaism and Catholicism. READ MORE. CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION.