Our first stop was at Temple Beth Chayim Chadasim (BCC). The Executive Director, Felicia Parker-Rogers gave us a brief history of the temple and its involvement in the neighborhood and community at large. It was created in 1972 and is the first Jewish Reform synagogue that is inclusive for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) individuals and people and families of all ages. BCC is very involved in the Reform Judaism community; serving as the leader for more progressive ideas and assisting others with establishing gay and lesbian synagogues around the country and the world. Although the BCC building is not that distinguishable from the outside, it has had a significant impact on the 250 households it maintains as members and, from this house of worship, its leaders and members reach out to the community by raising awareness and promoting equality. As an example, Felicia Parker-Rogers invited us to attend several events that BCC was either holding or sponsoring in the upcoming weeks, one of them being a local art show commemorating the Tenth Anniversary of the Death of Matthew Shepard (a young boy who was tortured and killed for being gay).
Elat Market and the Pico Glatt Mart standing side by side located between the major cross
streets of Robertson and La Cienega are two local landmarks that cannot be missed. First, they are big in size and second, they are big in importance for what they represent. Although I did not tour the markets on our neighborhood visit, these are markets that I frequent and am familiar with. The Pico Glatt Mart is a fully kosher mart and was one of the first fully kosher marts in Los Angeles.
Elat Market and the Pico Glatt Mart standing side by side located between the major cross
streets of Robertson and La Cienega are two local landmarks that cannot be missed. First, they are big in size and second, they are big in importance for what they represent. Although I did not tour the markets on our neighborhood visit, these are markets that I frequent and am familiar with. The Pico Glatt Mart is a fully kosher mart and was one of the first fully kosher marts in Los Angeles. Elat Market offers koshers foods but is mainly known for its high quality produce and its ability to deliver on specialty products for Jewish Israeli and Jewish Persian meals. 
These markets offer what the Jewish people need to maintain their daily tradition of keeping kosher (abiding by the laws of kashrut dictated in the Torah), to keep their weekly tradition of Shabbat (twenty four hours of rest and reflection) and to celebrate their spiritual holidays throughout the year. It is quite the cultural experience to go shopping in these markets. The aisles appear to be narrower and bumping into your fellow shoppers is a common practice. And, although a seventy year old women might challenge you in a foreign language because she wants to get ahead of you in the check out line, you will be sure to find your special egg matza for your first night of Passover at either of the markets.
These markets offer what the Jewish people need to maintain their daily tradition of keeping kosher (abiding by the laws of kashrut dictated in the Torah), to keep their weekly tradition of Shabbat (twenty four hours of rest and reflection) and to celebrate their spiritual holidays throughout the year. It is quite the cultural experience to go shopping in these markets. The aisles appear to be narrower and bumping into your fellow shoppers is a common practice. And, although a seventy year old women might challenge you in a foreign language because she wants to get ahead of you in the check out line, you will be sure to find your special egg matza for your first night of Passover at either of the markets.
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