Rabbi, Manager Get Interfaith Council Honors

An internationally known Encino rabbi and a Southern California Gas Co. official were honored for humane service Thursday night in the Valley Interfaith Council’s third annual fund-raising dinner at the Warner Center Marriott Hotel.

Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, senior rabbi of Valley Beth Shalom, was presented the human relations award for founding the Jewish Foundation for Christian Rescuers. The international group expresses gratitude to Christians who helped European Jews during the Holocaust and offers them financial assistance, if needed in their present circumstances.

The foundation, created in 1987 and adopted as an arm of the Anti-Defamation League, has identified 935 “rescuers” worldwide who risked their lives to protect Jews from Nazi persecution and arrest in Europe.

Schulweis, a rabbi in the Conservative branch of Judaism, was also honored Nov. 4 at Reform Judaism’s convention in Baltimore with the Eisendrath Award for his service to world Jewry, including his role with the Christian Rescuers.

James W. Gourley, division manager for the gas company, accepted the interfaith council’s corporate award for social service work in the San Fernando Valley. The council praised Gourley and the utility’s efforts to help low-income and minority communities as well as providing employees time to become involved in charitable projects.

Gourley is also board chairman for the Valley Industry and Commerce Assn.

More than 260 people attended the fund-raiser, which was emceed by actor Robert Clary and featured musical productions by the Valley-based Kids of Rock Theatre.

Barry Smedberg, executive director of the multifaith council, said the money raised will help the 27-year-old organization expand projects addressing human needs. “We will look at more ‘meals on wheels’ programs and try to deal with an apparent increase in discrimination through educational programs,” Smedberg said.