Shofars blasting, Bend the Arc urges yes on Prop. 30

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on October 17, 2012

Bend the Arc is urging Jewish voters in California to rally behind Proposition 30.

Merged social justice groups become Bend the Arc

Published on April 3, 2012

Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice is the new name for the organization that was born from the merger of Jewish Funds for Justice and the Progressive Jewish Alliance.

PJA and JFSJ head Elissa Barrett moves to Bet Tzedek

By Ryan Torok
Published on March 8, 2012

Elissa Barrett is leaving Progressive Jewish Alliance and Jewish Funds for Justice (PJA and JFSJ) to become vice president and general counsel of Bet Tzedek.

Merged social justice group hires its first president

Published on October 5, 2011

Progressive Jewish Alliance & Jewish Funds for Justice has hired Alan van Capelle, the deputy comptroller for the City of New York, as its new president and CEO.

From the White House to our house: Why social justice matters

Published on August 10, 2011

Two weeks ago, on July 29, 170 Jews from 16 states gathered at the White House. The reason: to make clear that growing an economy that works for all Americans is at the top of the Jewish communal agenda.

“Rise of the Planet of the Apes:” Let My Monkeys Go! [VIDEO]

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on August 3, 2011

Agriculture Dept. hosting ‘hunger seder’

Published on April 27, 2011

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is hosting a "hunger seder."

The Triangle Waist Factory fire and the laws of holiness

Published on March 24, 2011

This week, in Parashah Shmini, we learn the laws of Kashrut. We often think of Kashrut as a hoq, a mysterious commandment that we follow only because our Torah says that God wants us to. But Kashrut is also a mishpat, a commandment informed by values and virtues that we can comprehend; in this case, an abhorrence of cruelty. Not only may we not eat, and thereby develop a thirst for, blood; we may not slaughter in a cruel way, because we care about tzar baalei chayim, the suffering of living creatures.

Sheriff Lee Baca previews House panel testimony at ACLU “People’s Hearing”

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on March 9, 2011

California: Caught in the weeds?

Published on November 1, 2010

Danny Goldberg: Hangin’ with the ‘geniuses’ of rock ‘n’ roll

Published on November 26, 2008

No one ever said the life of a rock 'n' roll star was easy, and if you're the one responsible for their success, keeping an artist both successful and happy can be no less daunting

PJA head Sokatch leaving to helm S.F. federation

By Amy Klein
Published on April 8, 2008

Daniel Sokatch, leader of one of Los Angeles' most high-profile Jewish organizations, has been named CEO of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties (JCF). He will start at the JCF on July 15.

Briefs: City politicos celebrate launch of NewGround; Iranian Jews

Published on March 15, 2007

The group will bring together Jews and Muslims in a community-building dialogue on issues ranging from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to immigration to homelessness.

Progressive values propel Daniel Sokatch’s rising star

By Marc Ballon
Published on January 18, 2007

Sokatch is the founding executive director of Los Angeles-based Progressive Jewish Alliance (PJA), a nondenominational group dedicated, in his words, to "connecting Jews to the critical social justice issues facing our city, such as criminal and economic justice and interfaith dialogue."

Social Justice gets new address on Pico

By Amy Klein
Published on December 14, 2006

When Max Webb was interned at 18 different concentration camps during the Holocaust, he made a promise. "If he survived, he would make sure he would contribute to the advancement of the Jewish people and Judaism in any way he could," said his grandson, Greg Podell, the director of the Max Webb Family Foundation.
Webb has made good on that promise, donating to causes in Israel and to local Jewish charities, including The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. And now, as he's about to turn 90, his foundation has purchased a plot of land for $3 million for a center to house two socially conscious Jewish organizations.

A Chanukah for the party people

Published on December 7, 2006

On the first night of Chanukah my true love gave to me...social justice? That's the theme of one of the hottest parties of the Chanukah season, "Vodka Latka: The Festival of Rights," sponsored by the Progressive Jewish Alliance (PJA), JDub Records and Reboot on Dec. 13 at the El Rey Theatre in Mid-Wilshire.

Your Letters

Published on October 9, 2003

Readers of David Finnigan's article, "Just a Peace Rally? Read the Fine Print," (Sept. 26), may have been left with the erroneous impression that the Progressive Jewish Alliance (PJA) did not support the recent "End the Occupation" rally in Hollywood primarily "out of respect for" Rosh Hashanah.

Hosting Heston

By Tom Tugend
Published on December 9, 1999

Three days before its festive rededication ceremony (see story on page 10), the Skirball Cultural Center received some unrequested publicity when it hosted actor Charlton Heston for an evening of poetry and Shakespearean readings.