Rabbi Helps Jail Inmates Keep the Faith

There he was, behind bars again helping inmates observe their faith.

For the 28th year, Rabbi Mika M. Weiss traveled to the Pitchess jail in Castaic to conduct High Holiday services for about 30 Jewish inmates.

It’s a responsibility Weiss, a rabbi emeritus of Temple B’nai Hayim in Sherman Oaks, has shouldered since 1968.

So what was it like for Weiss during his first visit to Pitchess?

“I was not afraid, because of what I’ve experienced before,” said Weiss, who himself spent a year as a prisoner.

A native of Hungary, he survived two Nazi extermination camps, Mauthausen and Gunzkirchen. After he was liberated by American troops in 1945, he became chief rabbi of Debrecen, but freedom eluded him again when Hungary fell under the control of the Soviet Union, which sent troops to repress an uprising in 1956.

Weiss fled to Finland and eventually moved to the United States in 1962, first working in New Jersey and then Southern California. During the last 28 years he has conducted services twice a month at the jail in Castaic.

This month he held Hanukkah services for about 20 inmates in which participants lit candles, sang and chanted vows. Weiss also conducted individual services for some of the inmates.

During his services, the inmates don’t just sit and listen to Weiss, they participate too, he said.

“My services are important . . . for the Jewish inmates,” says Weiss. “It relaxes them and they can pray without tension.”

Weiss is one of several chaplains who conduct services for Los Angeles County Jail inmates of different religious backgrounds during the December holidays.

Pastor Paul Brown began Protestant Christmas services at Pitchess with an inspirational message, followed by a concert by singers Diane Brown and Steve Lively.

On Sunday the Gertie Houston Gospel Choir entertained inmates at the Sybil Brand women’s jail. And next week, Cardinal Roger Mahoney will say Christmas Mass at the Men’s Central Jail.

Many services are conducted in both English and Spanish.

Sheriff’s officials hope that the holiday services will inspire inmates to reform.

“This festive season is a time for all people not only to be thankful for what they have in life, but also to resolve to make changes for the future,” said Sheriff Sherman Block.

During his services, Weiss said he reminds the inmates that they need love instead of hate.

“I tell them there is a darkness in the world . . . one of hate, prejudice and crime,” Weiss said. “I let them know they need freedom and light because light repels the darkness.”