The Pico Union Project is based in the oldest synagogue building in Los Angeles and aims to bring diverse cultures together through song, story, art, food and prayer. The project is a multi-faith cultural arts center that is founded upon the Jewish principle to “love your neighbor as yourself.” The culturally rich space brings people together from all different backgrounds and religions, and serves as a meeting space in its 375-seat theater.
Initially, the community was resistant to the Pico Union Project, according to the founder Craig Taubman. Taubman is a musician, and has been recording music and performing live for years. He concentrates on bridging traditional Jewish themes with contemporary life, and aims to bring diverse people together. Taubman is passionate about the Pico Union Project and its surrounding community.
“In addition to having 14 prayer services a week here, every morning at six o’clock, evenings and four on Sundays, we do unbelievable concerts. Artists from all over the world perform here: Los Lobos, Israeli artists, Palestinian artists, German artists, Mexican, you name it; we’ve had it here. We also do workshops for food sustenance, women who are victims of domestic violence and people who have been unjustly incarcerated. It’s really a holistic project,” explained Taubman
Taubman also went on to describe the impact the cultural arts center has had on the Pico Union area. According to Taubman, the community is a poverty zone and more than 70 percent Latino. He does his part of trying to be a good neighbor by sharing an open parking lot and giving the neighborhood a place to hold events, such as Quinceañeras or baby naming parties.
As the High Holidays ensue, hundreds of people from Pico Union and afar congregate in the Pico Union Project. The Rosh Hashanah service, marking the beginning of the Jewish New Year, left the building brimming with cheerful temple-goers. The service was an “Oh-So-LA High Holy Day”, full of movie references and dances. The focus of the service was on forgiveness. Dr. Zach Lasker, the center’s inaugural Executive Director, talked about how, in order to receive second chances, one must give others second chances. He encouraged the congregation to embrace the ideas of moving on and fresh starts.
Now, as Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement and the holiest day of the Jewish year, proceeds, many individuals will fast for nearly twenty-six hours. Eli Jacober, a volunteer at the Pico Union Project, explained how individuals at the service will take a stone and flyer with a value, whether it be “healthy living”, “supporting those less fortunate than me”, “non-violent communication” or “get to know my neighbor”, when entering the amphitheater. Individuals attend Yom Kippur services to start the New Year with positive mindsets and clean slates.
As Los Angeles faces a homelessness and affordable housing crisis, the Pico Union Project is partnering with LA Family Housing and the office of Mayor Garcetti on the Welcome Home Project. The Pico Union Project is taking active steps in assembling 20 laundry baskets filled with personal hygiene and household essentials for families in need. People are donating everything from cleaning supplies to pillows, starting the New Year off on a philanthropic note, which will hopefully continue throughout all 365 days of the year.
Jacober, even though only having attended one service at the Pico Union Project so far, already understands the magnitude of the center. “It allows people to have some sort of emotional feelings when they come here, or when they’re listening to the different speakers or seeing the performances. They connect to it a lot more than they would to words in a language they don’t necessarily understand… It’s a kind of service that definitely feels like it’s more inclusive to a diverse community,” Jacober said.
The leaders of the Pico Union Project plan to continue the celebration of many cultures for years to come. It serves as a safe space for the Pico Union community and brings people together based on core values and principles.