Sokatch, Chemerinsky Honored for Advocacy

by Danielle Berrin

April 2, 2009

click here to read this article on the Jewish Journal website

Even as the Progressive Jewish Alliance celebrated its first 10 years on March 29 by honoring Daniel Sokatch, its founding executive director who has moved on to become CEO of the Jewish Community Federation in San Francisco, the PJA introduced its new leader, Elissa Barrett to a Skirball Cultural Center ballroom so full that some guests had to dine in the balcony. Sokatch was joined for a conversation onstage by the evening’s additional honoree, Erwin Chemerinsky, longtime liberal advocate and founding dean of the new law school at UC Irvine. The pair’s congenial chat about their shared values was moderated by Jewish Journal editor-in-chief, Rob Eshman.

Asked about the challenges of taking on his new role, Chemerinsky called the UC Irvine post “the most exciting opportunity in my life,” but said that he would never curtail his representation of those in need. He spoke of an opportunity he took on to represent homeless people in Laguna Beach who were being charged with the crime of sleeping outdoors. When it occurred to him that his advocacy might compromise his fundraising abilities, he said he decided, “if I can’t bring a lawsuit on behalf of homeless people, then I don’t want this job anymore.”

Sokatch called our times “such a compelling moment for young people to come into public service,” with President Barack Obama and California State Assembly Speaker Karen Bass in office as examples. “Our role as a progressive community should be to support the progressives that we elected. The ‘80s are over, finally,” he said, to applause. Bass was among the evening’s speakers, which also included entertainment by Krumpers, performing dance that originated in the African American community of South Los Angeles in 2002.

The dinner’s co-chairs were Paula Litt and Lawrence Trilling.

— Susan Freudenheim, Managing Editor