Jewish Los Angeles and Social Justice Trip

In 1841 Jacob Frankfort arrived in the Mexican Pueblo de Los Ángeles in Alta California. He was the city’s first Jew. When Los Angeles was incorporated as a city in 1850, eight Jews, all bachelors, were included on the population rolls. Today, according to the best estimates, somewhere between 600,000 to 650,000 Jews live in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

Another unique fact is that Los Angeles has the largest Persian Jewish community in the world with 50,000 Persian Jews living in Los Angeles County.

Jews invented the movie industry in Los Angeles, led by men with names like Zucker, Goldwyn (born Shmuel Gelbfisz, later Anglicized to Samuel Goldfish) and Mayer as the founding fathers.

Goals:

  • Gain an appreciation for Jewish Los Angeles and the move out west
  • Understand the involvement of Jews in the film industry
  • Enjoy the excitement of Los Angeles
  • Learn about non-profits in Los Angeles and how they make a difference

Objectives:

  • Participants will be exposed to at least two Jewish non-profits in Los Angeles
  • Participants will meet unique Jewish individuals who will share their story and involvement
  • Participants will hike to the Hollywood sign
  • Participants will eat foods uniquely sold in Los Angeles
  • Participants will have opportunities to see interesting sites related to Los Angeles in general and Jewish Los Angeles specifically
  • Participants will volunteer their time to help others
  • Participants will explore the Jewish neighborhood of Los Angeles called Pico Robertson through a scavenger hunt.

Accommodation
Participants can stay in a variety of hotels and potentially the Tzedek America house depending on the dates.

Transportation
Options range from Sprinter Limo, Yellow School Bus or Public transportation. Each option will be considered based on group size, type of activities and budget.

Food
Breakfast can be hotel continental, a variety of restaurant or cold options delivered by the Tzedek America staff.

Lunch can be on your own, a variety of restaurants or sandwiches made in the morning.

Dinner can be on your own or at a variety of restaurants kosher or not.

Departure Location: Downtown – Los Angeles, CA

Minimum Trip Duration: 5-hours
Maximum Trip Duration: 7-days (12-hours per day)

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Sunday
10:30 AM                        Randy’s Doughnuts
11:30PM – 12:30 PM   Drive to Baldwin Hills Overlook
1:00PM – 3:00 PM        KEEN LA
4:00PM – 5:30 PM        Harbor Cruise
6:30 PM                           Dinner
7:00 PM                           Arrive at the House
8:00 PM                           Debrief
10:00 PM                         Good Night

Monday
7:30 AM-8:00 AM           Breakfast at House
9:00 AM-10:00 AM         Walking tour of DTLA
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM   DWC Tour
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM    URM – Homelessness Discussion
12:00 PM -1:30 PM         Lunch in Little Tokyo
2:00 PM-5:00 PM            Museum of Tolerance
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM        Dough Girl Pizza Social Enterprise
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM        Israeli Dancing
8:30 PM                            Head back to the Home
9:00 PM                            Debrief

Tuesday
8:00 AM-9:00 AM           Breakfast at House
9:30 AM-11:00 AM         Wilshire Boulevard Temple Tour
11:00 AM -1:00 PM        Pico Union Project and Volunteering
1:00 PM – 2:00PM         Lunch In Pico Robertson
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM       Walking Jewish Food Tour
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM       Grocery Shopping for Alexandria House
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM       Prepare Dinner for Alexandria House
7:00 PM                            Dinner with residents of Alexandria House
8:00 PM                            Comedy Show
10:00 PM                          Debrief

Wednesday
7:30 AM-8:00 AM            Breakfast at House
9:30 AM to 1:00 PM        USC and Hike and Lunch
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM        Beit T’Shevuah Panel
4:00 PM to 5:30 PM        Thrift Shopping
5:30 PM-7:00 PM             Dinner
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM       Homeless Karaoke
10:00 PM                           Debrief

Thursday
8:00 AM-9:00 AM             Breakfast at Homegirl Café
9:30 AM-11:00 AM           Tour of Homeboy Café
11:30 AM- 1:30 PM          The Broad Museum
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM          Venice Beach Day
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM          Farewell Dinner
8:00 PM                              Debrief/Letter Writing/Pack-Up
10:00 PM                            Debrief

Friday
6:30 AM-8:00 AM             Wake-Up, Clean-Up, Eat Breakfast
8:00 AM                              Leave the TA House for LAX
8:30 AM                              Arrive at LAX