Rabbi and Pastor Working for ‘Real Bridge to the Future’ After Riots

In a Pacific Palisades temple, a rabbi and pastor grasp hands and talk quietly about the future. Rabbi Steven Carr Reuban of Kehillath Israel and Pastor Robbie Horton of the South-Central Abundance of Christ Church have formed the special partnership “People to People: Healing L.A.” in an attempt to bring aid into the inner city after the Los Angeles riots.

“I call this effort Operation Love,” Horton said. “It’s something we can get our arms around and it will build us a real bridge to the future.”

The partnership grew out of a visit to the synagogue early this year by the church’s gospel choir. After the riots, Reuban contacted Horton and offered immediate assistance.

The two leaders then joined forces to coordinate the delivery of food, clothing, furniture and toys to more than 750 families, using the synagogue as a collection point and the church as a distribution base.

“We have started to break down the barriers and develop personal relationships so people would feel a part of a community,” Reuban said. “The person-to-person quality of this partnership eliminates one of the underlying causes of the unrest--a painfully slow and often unresponsive system of official agencies and bureaucratic regulations.”

For the past two months, members of both congregations have met weekly to discuss solutions to the community’s problems and make some long-range plans.

Projects include creating a free children’s lunch program, recreational activities, literacy classes, medical care and counseling programs for South Los Angeles residents.

The 420-family temple and the 200-member church have also participated in several cultural exchanges and religious services. Leaders have focused on the theme “Two Cultures--One Heart” and tried to convey a message of understanding and cooperation.

“We truly believe this small step could be a model for other churches and synagogues to follow,” Reuban said. “If others followed (our example), we would have a different quality of life in Los Angeles.”

The Los Angeles City Council has given a “Happiness Is . . .” Resolution Award to Richard Swisher of Brentwood, owner of several local Domino’s Pizza stores. Swisher was recognized at a ceremony last month for providing free pizzas to police and firefighters during the Los Angeles riots.

The American Heart Assn. has presented awards to several Westside residents.

Pat Sklar of Beverly Hills and Theresa De Bell of Venice received the 1992 Heartsaver Award for using CPR skills to save an individual’s life. David Smith of Beverly Hills and David Lorenz of Century City were also honored.

Dr. Eliot Corday was given the 1992 Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award. A cardiologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and a resident of Beverly Hills, he was honored for a lifetime of scientific and educational contributions to cardiovascular research.

The awards were presented at the organization’s annual “Heart of Gold” ceremony held at the J. W. Marriott Hotel in Century City on May 31.

Playa del Rey resident David Winter has been accepted into the Peace Corps and will serve a two-year stint in Ghana.

Winter will work as a water and sanitation engineer responsible for the water supply and sanitation facilities. He is a graduate of Loyola High School in Los Angeles and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

The Women’s American Organization for Rehabilitation Through Training presented Nina Bader with its Lifetime Achievement Award during a luncheon June 28 at the Bel Age Hotel.

Bader is a founder of the Women’s American ORT in Southern California and served as charter president of the Santa Monica chapter in 1946. She was also instrumental in the establishment of the Los Angeles ORT Technical Institute.