Pasadena Rabbi to Receive Social Justice Award for Homelessness Work

[Updated]  The Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center will honor Rabbi Joshua Levine Grater with its fifth annual Rabbi Marvin Gross Social Justice Award for Grater’s extensive work addressing homelessness and at-risk communities.

The ceremony will take place during Shabbat Services being conducted at First United Methodist Church in Pasadena on Friday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m., according to an announcement from the Temple’s Social Justice Committee. (The Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center burned down during the Eaton Fire).

Since 2017, Rabbi Grater has served as the executive director of Friends In Deed, where he has expanded homelessness services and prevention programs. His leadership amplified the organization’s impact.

The award’s namesake, Rabbi Marvin Gross, cemented his legacy during his 21-year tenure as CEO of Union Station Homeless Services from 1995 to 2016. Under Gross’s leadership, the organization grew from a single facility with 22 employees and a $1 million budget to an $8 million operation managing five facilities and 93 staff members.

The award presentation is open to the public with no RSVP required. Those with questions can contact the Social Justice Committee at scjpjtc@gmail.com.