Honoring the 2026 Social Justice in Action Award Recipient, Father Greg Boyle and celebrating our 2026 Social Justice Fellows.
Join us for an extraordinary evening honoring a true social justice Warrior — NBA Champion as both player and coach, Olympic Gold Medalist and Head Coach of the Golden State Warriors
STEVE KERR
A dedicated advocate for social justice, educational opportunities, and academic freedom, Steve inspires change far beyond the game of basketball.
We are also honored to introduce our 2025 Social Justice Fellows
Carlos Alarcón
Jonathan Butler
Nadav David
Alana Hassanein
Mohsen Mahdawi
Reflections Inspired by Leonard's Vision:
Representative Justin Jones on Democracy
Prof. David N. Myers on the Middle East
Musical Interlude Honoring Alan Bergman
Performed by Tierney Sutton
2025 Social Justice in Action Award
Introduction by Ann Kerr
Preceded by an afternoon symposium featuring the 2025 Fellows and their remarkable work
Join us for a symposium highlighting the 2025 Beerman Foundation Social Justice Fellows and the remarkable work they are doing
Carlos Alarcón
Immigrant rights and health equity advocate leading California’s Health4All campaign
Jonathan Butler
Faith leader and sociologist advancing health equity and social justice in San Francisco
Nadav David
Organizer working beyond racial capitalism and violence toward collective safety and dignity
Alana Hassanein
Educator and activist advancing education justice and interfaith community leadership
Mohsen Mahdawi
Palestinian-born activist and scholar bridging faith, dialogue, and human rights advocacy
You can now watch the full recording of the Town Hall we hosted introducing A Land for All — a groundbreaking Israeli-Palestinian movement reimagining peace not as separation, but as partnership. Palestinian Co-Director Rula Hardal and Israeli Co-Director May Pundak will shared their vision of two states, one shared homeland with equal dignity, freedom of movement, and mutual recognition for both peoples.
This gathering offered an opportunity to hear directly from the movement’s leadership, rooted in both Israeli and Palestinian civil societies, about a vision that is already shifting conversations on the ground and in international policy circles.
This event was co-sponsored by the Leonard I. Beerman Foundation for Peace and Justice and The Broad Reach Foundation.
Please join us for an evening
of inspiration and hope
honoring courageous journalist
and recipient of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize,
MARIA RESSA
Beerman Foundation 2024 Social Justice Fellows:
Hussayn Abdul-Qawi
Doctoral student researching the intersections between Islam and politics, with the intent of entering the fields of policy advising and collegiate teaching
Adnan Jaber
Community organizer of LA Supporters of Standing Together. Jerusalem-born and living in Los Angeles, engaged in bringing people together for peace in Israel-Palestine through technology and dialogue
Marissa Montes
Founder, Professor and Director of Loyola Law School's Immigrant Justice Clinic and visiting professor at the ITESO in Guadalajara, where she teaches U.S. asylum law. Currently establishing Loyola’s Binational Migrant Advocacy Project (BMAP), the first binational immigration law school clinic in the nation
Zahra Sakkejha
Community organizer of LA Supporters of Standing Together; board member of Tomorrow’s Women, dedicated to empowering young Israeli and Palestinian women to create change
Yehudah Webster
Spiritual activist and community organizer working to integrate anti-racist behaviors and culture in communities
A Memorial Tribute to our late board member
Reverend James Lawson
by Beerman Fellow, Rep. Justin Jones
Preceded by an afternoon symposium
commemorating the tenth anniversary of
Leonard Beerman's death—
The Eternal Dissident:
The Living Legacy of Rabbi Leonard I. Beerman
At our 2023 Celebration, we presented our 2023 Award for Social Justice in Action to SPEAKER EMERITA NANCY PELOSI. We also presented our 2023 Fellowships for Peace and Justice. Master of Ceremonies Mike Farrell | Invocation Rabbi Ken Chasen | Vocalist Tierney Sutton with Music by Marvin Hamlisch and Lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Bergman | Introduction of the Honorable Nancy Pelosi, The Honorable Mel Levine | Discussion with Dolores Huerta, Reverend James Lawson, and The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Moderated by Professor David N. Myers. Missed the event? Click below to watch.
At our 2022 Virtual Celebration, we presented our 2022 Award for Social Justice in Action to DOLORES HUERTA, Founder & President, Dolores Huerta Foundation, Co-Founder of United Farm Workers. We also presented our 2022 Fellowships for Peace and Justice. Hosted by Mike Farrell. Introduction by Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. Special Musical Guests: Aloe Blacc & Sheléa. Missed the event? Click below to watch.
On Friday, April 9, 2021, the Leonard I. Beerman Foundation for Peace and Justice joined Leo Baeck Temple in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Rabbi Beerman’s birth. A special Friday evening Shabbat service was followed by the Foundation’s Centennial Celebration, culminating in the presentation of our third Social Justice in Action Award to the Reverend James M. Lawson. Jim Lawson, a close friend and ally of Leonard’s in the struggle for peace and justice, is one of the legends of the Civil Rights Movement who tirelessly continues his activism to this day. Reverend Lawson is one of the greatest teachers of the principle of nonviolence as the source of progressive social change.
View the full program and an exclusive interview with Reverend Lawson below:
The Foundation presented the second Award for Social Justice in Action to Norman Lear on Sunday, June 2, 2019, at Leo Baeck Temple. The Award for Social Justice in Action is presented to a person whose words and actions reflect Leonard’s courage and commitment to social justice. We were pleased to honor Norman for his remarkable political and social activism, reflected in his groundbreaking achievements in television, film and philanthropy. The inaugural award was presented to John R. Lewis in 2017.
This year also marked the inaugural Fellowships for Peace and Justice, presented to Jacob Plitman, Publisher, Jewish Currents; Rachel Sumekh, Swipe Out Hunger; and Mayor Michael D. Tubbs, City of Stockton, California. The event featured a conversation between Michael Tubbs and Norman Lear, moderated by Jane Olson and introduced by Amy Poehler. A video of the complete program and a gallery of images from the event are below:
Please join Gina and David Nahai to celebrate the life and words of Rabbi Leonard Beerman and the publication of a new book by Professor David Myers.
Please join us for the launch of the new book capturing the life and thought of Rabbi Leonard I. Beerman, courageous and compassionate religious leader, social activist, and champion of peace and human rights.
Join book editor David Myers and friends and colleagues of Rabbi Beerman to reflect on his remarkable career and its relevance to today. Guest speakers include Reverend Ed Bacon, Aziza Hasan, Mike Farrell, Reverend James Lawson, Salam al-Marayati, Professor Nomi Stolzenberg, and Rabbi Rachel Timoner.
Dessert reception to follow.
Never has Leonard Beerman's inspiration been more needed.
Signed books will be available for purchase at the event, or save time at the door and pre-purchase your book when you RSVP.
This Program is Co-sponsored by the UCLA Alan D. Leve Center for Jewish Studies.
The inaugural Leonard I. Beerman Award for Social Justice in Action was presented to John R. Lewis, the distinguished civil rights leader and member of the United States Congress, on Sunday, October 29, 2017 at Leo Baeck Temple in Los Angeles. Introduction by Reverend James M. Lawson, Jr. Conversation moderated by Professor David Myers. A video of the complete program is below:
The Community of Elders of Leo Baeck Temple Celebrates the Legacy of Rabbi Leonard I. Beerman. Join us at Leo Baeck Temple for this special Shabbat Evening Service as we honor the legacy of LBT's Founding Rabbi.
Oneg / Ice Cream Social following the service.
