L.A. Jewish Community

Kotkin has taken us down a narrow view of where the Los Angeles Jewish community finds itself following the riots of this past spring. Kotkin has implied that the Jewish response has been primarily to turn inward. While it may be true that some within our community have focused their energies exclusively on the issues of self-protection, the vast majority of the organized Jewish community for some time has been focusing its efforts on nurturing and expanding the points of contact between our community and other major urban players.

Kotkin even acknowledges one such reference when he refers to the New Leaders Project, a program co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation Council’s Jewish Community Relations Committee. This innovative effort, along with a number of activities by area synagogues, community service agencies and human relations organizations, have all given attention to the need for stronger and more direct relations with Asian, Latino and black leadership in Southern California. The fact that since early May more than 20 synagogues have established relationships with inner-city churches that serve these minority communities reflects this institutional thrust toward greater participation.

The changes that face Los Angeles in general will also impact on its Jewish citizens. The challenge to us rests on how our community can effectively work in partnership with others that compose this multiethnic city.

TERRY BELL

President

Jewish Federation Council