Democratic-led cities across America are being assaulted by masked men. These federal agents under the purview of the Department of Homeland Security — some Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and some Customs and Border Protection agents — are carrying out…
A faith-based call to prepare for what comes next
The recent tensions in Los Angeles — sparked by ICE raids, the arrest of SEIU California President David Huerta, and the unilateral deployment of federal troops by President Trump — were not an isolated event. They were a warning shot….
Here’s what’s really happening in Los Angeles
How many of you have seen the images of burning cars and Mexican flags being flown over destruction and carnage? Or maybe your algorithm serves you up endless videos of police trampling, striking or shooting helpless protestors. These days it…
‘No one is illegal on stolen land’
During the recent demonstrations decrying ICE arrests in Los Angeles, one of the many signs waved read, “No one is illegal on stolen land.” In addition, hundreds of Mexican flags were featured among the protesters, a fact singled out repeatedly…
Trump’s actions in LA are popular only with Republicans
Nearly half of Americans are opposed to the deployment of U.S. Marines and National Guard troops to Los Angeles to quell protests against President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign. A June 9 CBS News/YouGov poll found 45% of adults surveyed…
We are in dangerous, uncharted waters
“In every age it has been the tyrant, the oppressor and the exploiter who has wrapped himself in the cloak of patriotism, or religion, or both to deceive and overawe the people.” ― Eugene Victor Debs On Saturday, June…
In California, Jewish leaders swap ethnic studies battle for fighting antisemitism in schools — with allies
A potential breakthrough arrived earlier this month in California’s years-long debate over ethnic studies, in which Jewish groups fought to ensure that a curriculum mandate would not lead to teachers presenting Jews unfairly or singling out Israel.
LA Jews are all mourners now — experiencing both the grief and hope our tradition understands
As the wildfires devoured our neighborhoods and people’s homes, schools, businesses, sanctuaries, and lives went up in flames, we celebrated our eldest’s bat mitzvah. Amidst unimaginable and horrific destruction and tragedy befalling our beloved city and the community we care…
Los Angeles faces a homeless ‘emergency’ as global warming changes the equation
On Tuesday, Jan. 10, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors declared a local state of emergency on homelessness. This follows last month’s action by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, when on Dec. 12 she declared a city-wide state of…
As nationwide COVID vaccination rates increase, a few are still seeking religious exemptions, often with difficulty
Two weeks ago, as the St. Louis County Council was about to pass an ordinance requiring all employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, one resident stood up and told wary city employees how to avoid the mandate: “If you don’t…
On LA’s Skid Row, dueling visions of what it means to be faithful to God amid COVID
Dueling visions of what it means to be faithful Christians in a world rocked by coronavirus hit the national media over New Year’s weekend, with one music evangelist planing an event on Skid Row in Los Angeles and other prominent…
As COVID cases soar, court’s retreat opens doors of churches
The American legal and political approach to pandemic-era religious gatherings seems to be anything but consistent as Christmas bears down on churches. Challenges to previously approved restrictions on worship attendance are being upheld even as U.S. deaths speed toward 320,000…