SCEF

Temple Emanuel hosted the conference Immigration: Moving Beyond the Partisan Divide with special participation from Rabbi Sarah Bassin, Bishop David O'Connell, Shukry Cattan of the Tiyya Foundation, and the Industrial Areas Foundation National Co-Director, Ernesto Cortes, Jr.

Conference attendees discussed moral and economic arguments in support of immigration, and highlighted local efforts to support immigrants and refugees.  A citizenship class project initiated by Temple Judea and Our Lady of Grace inspired many leaders to consider following suit.  [Photo Credit: Rafael Paz]

Thanks to a generous grant from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, and in collaboration with the Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese and local organizations One LA and ICON, the Interfaith Education Fund and Southern California Education Fund trained 103 mostly immigrant leaders in the habits and practices of leadership.

The English and Spanish-language trainings were organized to allow participants to reflect and act on the mission of the church for the greater good of our communities. Bishop David O'Connell joined the trainees on both days of the course, inspiring many to take next steps to become leaders in their parishes.

[Photo Credit: Rafael Paz]

More photos here

[Article Excerpt]

"...The experience that night and what I learned in its aftermath changed the way I am a rabbi . It encouraged me to step outside my comfort level and to work with One LA / Industrial Areas Foundation, the nation’s largest and longest-standing network of local faith and community-based organizations, when I came to my congregation.  Through One LA we have worked with other faith communities, institutions, and unions, because… in spite of our differences—one group sings, another group eats… we are all in this together...."

A Rabbi Reflects on the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the Los Angeles Riots, Huffington Post

Between January and March of 2017, SCEF-prepared leaders of One LA engaged over 1,000 LA County residents through 15 "Know Your Rights" civic academies. In partnership with Neighborhood Legal Services of LA, leaders educated participants on the the implications of recent presidential executive orders including the enforcement of immigration regulations, as well as the Muslim and Refugee Travel Ban.

"Train the Trainer" seminars have also been organized to teach institutional leaders about the civil and due process rights to which all US residents are entitled, regardless of immigration status. These sessions leverage the skills and talents of institutional leaders to further educate fellow members of congregations and schools.

SCEF's 'Creating a Culture of Encounter' workshop involved nine congregations and schools in the San Gabriel Valley and friend and ally Bishop David O'Connell.

Leaders joined 80 other leaders from across the IAF network in a seminar with Dr. Danielle Allen of Harvard (4th from left) on the legacy of the Declaration of Independence and what it means to renew our commitment to pluralistic democracy.  Leaders described this as an energizing way to start the new year.

As part of a larger leadership development effort in the Northeast San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, the Southern California Education Fund is working with potential leaders at Roscoe Elementary School, educating them about Alliance School methods and practices to help them strengthen their institutional capacity.

SCEF lays out the Alliance School Organizing strategy during Principal's Coffee with parents in Pacoima.

More photos here