Last Monday evening, The Jewish Federation’s Community Engagement Council (CEC) held its first salon event “The Soul of The City: The Role of Community in Transforming a City” featuring Father Greg Boyle, Founder and CEO of Homeboy Industries.
Homeboy Industries serves at-risk and gang-involved youth with services and programs, like tattoo removal and employment services, to help meet their needs. Homeboy Industries operates four businesses that serve as job-training sites.
Over 100 community members attended the inaugural CEC salon to hear Father Greg present with wit and humility. He focused much of his talk on the idea that kinship binds us all as one, and that no individual deserves to be thought of as disposable. Building a better Los Angeles is at the heart of the CEC’s work and Father Boyle is a perfect example of the power of community
The goal of the Community Engagement Council is to encourage tomorrow’s leaders to shape the future of our city. Members of the CEC have the opportunity to become change agents in our community by engaging in service and volunteer opportunities, combating illiteracy, fighting hunger, affecting policy and advocating for Israel.
The icing on the evening’s cake was when the announcement was made that a very generous, anonymous donor who attended the event had purchased a copy of Father Greg’s New York Times Bestselling book “Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion” for everyone in the room. Father Greg personalized and autographed each copy of his book with a handshake and a smile.
If you are interested becoming a member of the Community Engagement Council, please visit www.JewishLA.org/CEC.
For more information, contact Molly at (323) 761-8163 or e-mail MSoboroff@JewishLA.org.
