Jewish, Japanese Americans to Meet

Jewish and Japanese American leaders will gather Tuesday to discuss the future of their communities in Southern California by reflecting on the past.

The program, “Exploring Identity: A Journey of Mutual Discovery,” brings together educators and religious leaders from both communities for a symposium that will culminate a citywide series of lectures concerning the past, present and future of the two groups.

Organizers said that Japanese and Jewish Americans share some similar experiences, including concentration camps and internment camps during World War II and common roots in Boyle Heights as well as a strong emphasis on education.

The panel will include Bob Suzuki, president of Cal Poly Pomona; Mordecai Finley, rabbi of Ohr Ha Torah Congregation and a noted teacher of Jewish spirituality; the Rev. Mas Kodani of the Senshin Buddhist Temple; and Sally Weber, regional director of the San Fernando Valley Adult and Children’s Counseling Service of Los Angeles.

The moderator will be Raphael J. Sonenshein, a Cal State Fullerton professor of political science and the author of “Politics in Black and White: Race and Power in Los Angeles.”

One of the issues to be discussed will be changes in Jewish families as the result of a rise in intermarriage, working parents and single-parent households.

Kodani is expected to discuss the future of Japanese American Buddhism in light of the fact that the majority of Japanese Americans are Christians.

The discussion will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bernard Milken Jewish Community Campus, 22622 Vanowen St.

Registration is $7.50 in advance or $10 at the door.

For more information, call (213) 852-7730.