Pico Union Project

We all share special memories of shirah at Camp... ...And now we are excited to bring those memories to you. Join us on Wednesday, May 19th from 7:00 - 7:45pm..., featuring Craig Taubman, a special performance by Morry Re’em (Scholick) who wrote our camp song, Davey Rosen, Alonim 1996, Shira Zionce, Alonim 2016, and other Ramah voices of the last 30 years. We recognize this is a difficult and frightening time in Israel, and so let’s join together in shirah to gain inspiration from each other and strength from being together. Click here to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84404571902

Not many places you can go tomorrow to get 20 lbs of fresh produce, a tomato plant and a COVID vaccine. The Pico Union Project,where everyone gets a fair shot!

For 16 years I’ve produced Jewels of Elul, a collection of short introspections for the High Holy Days. We’ve collected Jewels from many people who are no longer physically with us - John McCain Shimon Peres, Debbie Friedman, Gentil Steinbrecher, Kirk Douglas, Eli Broad, Sherwood Schwartz, Theodore Bikel, Elie Wiesel, Rabbis Rachel Cowan, Harold Schulweis, Jacob Pressman, Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and Maurice Lamm. In framing this year’s theme LESSONS FROM MY PARENTS, I felt that now was the ideal time to focus on a new generation of thinkers and doers. Who are the courageous, out of the box, exciting people who stand on the shoulders of the giants who preceded them to write this year's Jewels? I’m looking to finalize this year contributors by the end of the week and would love your ideas below. Thank you in advance.

There's still time! We'd love you to join us for Pico de Mayo, a celebratory virtual fundraising Gala supporting the Pico Union Project Please watch THIS uplifting video and then REGISTER to join us May 5th

This Friday come experience a miracle. The Pico Union Project in partnership with @HildaSolis and Curative will be distributing Vaccines and Fresh Produce to the community. Please join us, invite your family and friends as together we build a safe and healthy community!

A week of reckoning comes to a close. At the Pico Union we stand for justice. We stand for equality. We stand for diversity and inclusion. While we refuse to c...elebrate the pain of any citizen, we pray and we fight to realize no more senseless deaths among our neighbors- be they those who have or those who have less. May justice in Minnesota open the door to greater justice in the streets of our hallowed community, and may we all truly love our neighbors as we wish and deserve to be loved. Loving our neighbors means we must not be silent; we must say their names, and not stand idly by. We must guard the spark that has been lit, until the flame of justice burns bright in every heart. George Floyd, rest in power. As Shabbat, the day of rest is about to greet us - may we awake refreshed , revitalized and committed to a tomorrow that is committed to the pursuit of justice for all. Pico Union Project Justice

Here's a clue for "Oy Gevalt" and where to buy your ticket It's weeks away But don't delay ... You will not want to miss it Can't get in line Or buy by phone Or even through a mailer There's only one way to secure and that on ticket..... LIKE this post to receive your next clue! #jewishcommunityfoundation Pico Union Project Oy Gevalt a Virtual Purim Escape Room #purim #purim2021 Rick Lupert

Here's a clue! We're holding an Oy Gevalt Flash Sale. . Here's another clue, your password is Haman! Here's your final clue, promo ends tomorrow at 5P:00 pm PST!

This Sunday I am excited to debut "With All Your Heart" a musical video tribute to love - in all its sizes, shapes and forms. Featuring Rabbi Wolpe Nicole Guzi...k Bradley Shavit Artson, Spectrum Laboratory OurSpace L A The Miracle Project Abby Taubman, Samara Wolpe, Shira Artson and Michael David Stein With All Your Heart is a program of Sinai Temple and made possible by the Feit Family and additional support from #thejewishcommunnityfoundation & Pico Union Project Sign up for a reminder here: streaming.sinaitemple.org

My friend Pam sent me this article about the challenges facing our Pico Union neighborhood. Perhaps nowhere else in America is the toll of the virus felt more dramatically. We are proud of our efforts as people who "have more" to ensure that those who "have less" have access to fresh produce, PPE and health care. Please consider contributing what you can to assist our COVID Emergency drive https://www.picounionproject.org/pico-union-project-commun/

Wednesday is the Jewish holiday of Tu B'shvat, the holiday celebrating birthday of the trees. It’s become the Jewish ecological reminder that we are caretaker...s of the earth. The Pico Union Project has chosen Tu B'shvat (the15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat i.e. Wednesday) as a day to sow seeds of hope - because everyone deserves the chance to bloom where they are planted! See more

It's here. After much waiting and anticipation the moment you have been looking forward to has arrived. It's time for - FaithGiving! While the face to face opportunities are limited this holiday, the Pico Union Project is still need you to be of service. The goal is collect donated turkeys, school supplies and other goods for 1000 families at risk families to celebrate and give thanks. Thankfully, no matter where you are in the world, you can contribute too http://www.picounionproject.org/faithsgiving

We do not know final election results. What we do know is that our country and people are deeply divided. We are angry and excited. We are hopeful and dejected.... My expectation was that this election would bring a wave repudiating a president I found repugnant. I fully believed that his divisive leadership would be eclipsed by a groundswell of decency that screamed Dayenu enough! I was wrong. In place of a wave, there is an immense wall. I have never been more passionate about my values or pursuit of justice AND I have never been more convinced that we must come together and build common ground - even when our President is screaming systemic fraud. Zachariah said: Not by might, but by spirit. Debbie Friedman (and prophet) added: The children sing, the children dream, and their tears will fall, but we’ll hear them call and another song will rise. Children cannot be silenced. The future will not be bullied AND for the sake of the children, reach out to your family and friends on the other side of the wall with passionate compassion. Hold on to your values, but don’t be a bully. Embrace your spirit and know - another song will rise!

Some see a caravan of pride and empowerment - some see a foreboding mob. Some see a gathering of hope - others a group of entitled lawless youth. Esmeralda S...antiago wrote: Tell me who you go with and I'll tell you who you are. King Solomon said: The one who walks with wise people shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. America is in flux, at a tipping point. By 2032, people of color will be a majority of the American working class. Your reaction to this speaks volumes, and says more about you than anyone or anything. Choose life. Choose hope. Choose the future. That’s why we vote. #BidenHarris2020 #vote2020 #tolerance #loveyourneighbor

Yesterday's post generated a lot of thoughtful feedback alongside some remarkably judgmental, hateful and xenophobic comments. What they said: Some of my best... friends are Jewish. What it means: Someone just said something, anti-Semitic in front of someoneJewish. What they said: Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against. What it means: Someone’s probably lying to you and likely lying to themselves and don't even know it. What they said: I’m not racist, my house keeper is What they mean: Well, if they’re as good as us, why do they need skin? Right? What they said: Trump’s not anti-black, I know at least 4 black people voting for him.What it means: I’d rather not talk about the real issue: the injustice toward black Americans. Here my Shabbat Prayer. Love your neighbor as you wish to be loved. What I mean: You can’t love, hate, judge or speak for your neighbor until you know your neighbor. #shabbatshalom #loveyourneighbor #picounionproject #tolerance

That many Jewish people view Donald Trump as good for the Jews scares and bewilders me. I don’t agree with most of his policies but it’s his lack of integrit...y and blatant disregard for derech eretz literally "the way of the world," that has left me speechless and despondent. Policies come and go. The stock market rises and falls. Integrity is eternal. The Jewish people have not survived because it was good for the Jews. We have survived by the truth of our convictions and the commitment to pursue justice. We can stand by and inherit a world envisioned by others, or be the catalyst to build a society we aspire to. Heaven and earth are our witness. Before us is a choice - life and death, blessing and curse choose life! -Deuteronomy See more

My home is in LA county, which is also home to 3,500,000 immigrants. Due to current federal policies, many live in constant fear of profiling, illegal deportati...on and hate crimes. A report last week showed our government cannot locate the parents of 545 children separated from their parents up to three years ago. This Tuesday, Supervisor Hilda L. Solis will introduce a motion demanding these families be reunited. This is not a Democratic or Republican issue this is an American tragedy that we must rectify. Please write Supervisor Solis at [email protected], and let her know we will not stand idly by - we stand together. #HildaSolis #SupervisorHildaSolis #loveyourneighbor #picounionproject #yeswecan

We got off to a good start and then somehow lost steam! In order to crowd source this campaign we need a CROWD! Please consider employing HERD MENTALITY oN this one! Giving can be infectious, we need 1000 people to give $4. Who is in?

Since the onset of the pandemic, together with our long-time friends and partners Seeds of Hope and Food Forward we have been blessed to distribute fresh produc...e to our neighbors. A few weeks ago, our president mandated all produce boxes include a letter touting the program as his personal success. I found his 4-color letter to be an offensively inappropriate campaign tool and an absurd waste of money. As a 501c3 nonprofit we cannot, do not, and would never endorse a candidate for public office. Pirke Avot teaches: Who is honored? The one who gives honor to others. The PUP honors all of creation regardless of title, stature or financial worth. Honor cannot be bought - only earned. Mr. President, before you attempt to buy your way into the hearts of America’s most at risk citizens - understand that respect is earned. And when you choose to ignore their essence, do not be surprised if they choose to ignore you, and toss your letter. The PUP is committed to honor all of creation and provide fresh, nutritious food to those in need. Shabbat Shalom. #foodforward #seedsofhope #pup #LoveYourNeighbor #picounionproject

This is a great initiative of Richard Foos one of Pico Union‘s board members. Please add your voice and support!

The strain between law enforcement and communities of color is no secret. Within our Pico Union Project community we have worked hard to create trust and partne...rship. We take our love your neighbor motto seriously and are proud that officers from the Rampart division have been active participants in Vida Sana, Keep it Clean and the Shabbat Table. Before you can love your neighbors you need to know them and so we are grateful to Rampart officers who joined us last week for a food distribution, lunch and community clean up. Email [email protected] and join us next month! #LAPD #GILCEDILLO #PUP #loveyourneighbor #HildaSolis #picounionproject #blacklivesmatter #blm

This past Friday we began registering members of the PUP community to vote. Reaching mostly woman and people of color, it was not lost on me that voting - a cen...tral freedom of American life had been denied to this group as recently as 1965. With ballot issues addressing matters of health, housing, civil rights and education, this election impacts the PUP at-risk community more than most other demographics. No matter who you support or what you believe, there is no better way to repair our country than exercising our right to vote. If you are able to assist with voter registration on Tuesday and Friday mornings, please notify us at [email protected]. #SupervisorHildaSolis #Vote #PUP #loveyourneighbor #RegistrarRecorder #CountyClerk #loveyourneighbor #

Here is a new years gift of song. My initial motivation, was the Jewish holiday of Hanukah - a reminder that as the days grow increasingly shorter and darker, t...he need to bring light into our lives and world. With Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year parties around every corner, it’s easy to imagine a world filled only with light and joy. Unfortunately, for many this time of year is excruciatingly difficult - for everyone feeling joy and inclusion, there are many who only experience isolation and sadness. Light can help us see, but it takes heart and soul to be truly seen! What better time to reach out to the invisible and let their light in! And... (and this is a big and) for those whose light feels as if it is on the brink of going out, Please call: 800-273-TALK. There's always someone on the other side! Please repost and help let the light in! #hanukkah #Hanuka #Chanukah #Light #Joy #hope #laurencejuber #CraigTaubman #tistheseason #love #loveyourneighbor #picounionproject #pup

Like most of my friends, I thought it was inconceivable that Donald Trump would be President. It was not his policies I objected to, he had none. It was his ch...aracter he had none! Today, I am even more weary. He is now our president and I now know his policies - the bulk of which (COVID, Taxes, Environment, Health, Reproductive and Woman rights) I don’t embrace and I find his character even more abhorrent. What is most surprising, is how long it's taken for so many Americans to see how unbalanced our president is. I pray he recovers from COVID and I also pray for a blessing from God (not his suggestion the virus is a blessing) my blessing is that the words of Amos ring through the land: let justice well up like water, righteousness like an unfailing stream . The only way this can happen is if we get out the vote and ensure sanity returns. One of the most important voting blocks are seniors. It is imperative we speak to our parents and their friends and remind them about the importance of their vote in the coming election. Tomorrow begins today! See more

What can $40 accomplish? Find out by joining us in mentoring the next generation of Pico Union Youth. www.picounionproject.org/puppartners