Progressive Jewish Alliance
Encyclopedia
The Progressive Jewish Alliance (PJA) was founded in 1999 by Jewish Angelenos who broke away from the Los Angeles chapter of the American Jewish Congress
. They sought to assert an authentic progressive Jewish presence in the campaigns for social justice
in Southern California
, home to the United States' second largest Jewish community. In February 2005, PJA expanded by opening a San Francisco Bay Area chapter. The PJA works for social justice
, judicial reform and improved working conditions. They also try to facilitate dialogue between non-violent young offenders and their victims and between Jews and Muslims.
They run the Jeremiah Fellowship, a project to train young people to be future Jewish social justice leaders. In addition, the PJA sponsors education programs and quarterly holiday events on the intersection of art, culture and politics.
American Jewish Congress
The American Jewish Congress describes itself as an association of Jewish Americans organized to defend Jewish interests at home and abroad through public policy advocacy, using diplomacy, legislation, and the courts....
. They sought to assert an authentic progressive Jewish presence in the campaigns for social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
, home to the United States' second largest Jewish community. In February 2005, PJA expanded by opening a San Francisco Bay Area chapter. The PJA works for social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
, judicial reform and improved working conditions. They also try to facilitate dialogue between non-violent young offenders and their victims and between Jews and Muslims.
They run the Jeremiah Fellowship, a project to train young people to be future Jewish social justice leaders. In addition, the PJA sponsors education programs and quarterly holiday events on the intersection of art, culture and politics.