Countywide : 3 Rabbis to Receive Community Awards

Three Ventura County rabbis will be honored by the local chapter of the Anti-Defamation League this month for their efforts in improving understanding between different religious and ethnic groups.

At a reception in Thousand Oaks on Sept. 22, the Pacific Coast Region of the Anti-Defamation League will present Community Service Awards to Rabbi Michael Berk of Temple Beth Torah in Ventura, Rabbi Shimon Paskow of Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks and Rabbi Alan Greenbaum of Adat Elohim in Thousand Oaks.

Rabbi Gary Johnson of Temple Beth Haverim in Agoura Hills also will be honored.

The community service awards were established about 10 years ago by a committee of the Anti-Defamation League’s Ventura County members.

“This is essentially a Ventura County project,” said League spokesman Sol Robin.

The annual awards recognize area residents who have distinguished themselves in the fight against racial and religious intolerance, Robin said.

For instance, the four rabbis being honored this year “meet with the various ministers of the other faiths in their communities,” he said. “Each of these rabbis has already appeared at different churches” and have had Christian ministers speak to their Jewish congregations.

Guest speakers at this year’s awards reception will include county Supervisor Maggie Kildee, a past recipient of the Community Service Award, and Burton Levinson, former national chairman of the Anti-Defamation League.

The reception is free and open to anyone interested, Robin said. For more information, call 388-3748 or 496-5212.