Jan
4
6:00 PM18:00

The 2025 Award for Social Justice in Action

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Event Details:

YOU ARE INVITED TO THE ANNUAL AWARDING OF THE BEERMAN PRIZE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Sunday, January 4, 2026

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 
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


Reflections Inspired by Leonard's Vision:

Representative Justin Jones on Democracy
Prof. David N. Myers on the Middle East

Preceded by an afternoon symposium featuring the 2025 Fellows and their remarkable work

Additional program updates to come.

Sunday, January 4, 2026

1:00–3:00 p.m. 
Symposium

6:00 p.m. 
Cocktail Reception

7:00 p.m.
Evening Program  


Leo Baeck Temple
1300 N. Sepulveda Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90049

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Sep
18
4:00 PM16:00

Town Hall Introducing A Land for All: A Vision of a Future

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.

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The 2024 Award for Social Justice in Action
Dec
8
6:00 PM18:00

The 2024 Award for Social Justice in Action

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

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024
1:00–3:00 p.m. Symposium
6:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception
7:00 p.m. Evening Program

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The 2023 Award for Social Justice in Action
Oct
22
6:00 PM18:00

The 2023 Award for Social Justice in Action

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.

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The 2022 Award for Social Justice in Action
Apr
10
5:00 PM17:00

The 2022 Award for Social Justice in Action

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.

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Rabbi Leonard I. Beerman’s Centennial Celebration
Apr
9
6:15 PM18:15

Rabbi Leonard I. Beerman’s Centennial Celebration

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:

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The 2019 Award for Social Justice in Action
Jun
2
7:00 PM19:00

The 2019 Award for Social Justice in Action

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:

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Book Launch of “The Eternal Dissident”: Rabbi Leonard I. Beerman and the Radical Imperative to Think and Act
Jun
7
7:00 PM19:00

Book Launch of “The Eternal Dissident”: Rabbi Leonard I. Beerman and the Radical Imperative to Think and Act

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.

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The Inaugural Leonard I. Beerman Foundation Award for Justice in Action
Oct
29
5:30 PM17:30

The Inaugural Leonard I. Beerman Foundation Award for Justice in Action

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:

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