Past Events



On Thursday, September 8, 2005, Faith2Green and The Interfaith Environmental Council (IEC), and the City of Los Angeles led by Councilmember Eric Garcetti hosted the 6th Annual Environmentalist of the Year Awards.

The awards reception was a huge success, and over 150 people gathered at the home of Pete and Melna Katzman in West Los Angeles to honor Former Speaker of the California Assembly Robert Hertzberg, President and CEO of the Coalition for Clean Air Tim Carmichael, BP America, Inc., Senator Barbara Boxer, and Congressman Henry Waxman for their life long commitment to environmental activism and awareness. Honorary Co-Chairs included Governor Gray Davis, Dorothy Green, Marlene Grossman, Assemblymember Lloyd Levine, H. David Nahai, Assemblymember Fran Pavley, Cabinet Secretary Terry Tamminen, and Richard Ziman.

Among the presenters were Master of Ceremonies Councilmember Eric Garcetti, State Treasurer Phil Angelides, Councilmember Wendy Greuel, Physicians for Social Responsibility’s Jonathan Parfrey, and Rabbi Zoe Klein. There were numerous community leaders and dignitaries in attendance such as Nancy Daly Riordan, Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, Fran Diamond, David Nahai, and representatives from the offices of Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congressman Brad Sherman, Congressman Howard Berman, Assemblymember Lloyd Levine, and Assemblymember Fran Pavley.

The event, sponsored by Arden Realty, Inc., BP America, Inc., next>edge, Inc., and Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc., helped CoejlSC and the IEC build stronger foundations in order to continue carrying out their missions. Major supporters included CharityFinders, Pete and Melna Katzman, KB Home, Northern Trust Bank, O’Melveny & Myers, Karen Platt, Rocket Reporting Network, and Richard and Daphna Ziman.

The evening ended with a raffle drawing that included fabulous environmentally friendly prizes such as a Two-Day Rental of an Environmentally Friendly Vehicle from EV Rental Cars, a Supply of Begley’s Best Cleaning Products, a Grove of Five Trees to be Planted in Honor of Someone You Love courtesy of TreePeople, a Two-Hour Limo Ride in an Environmentally Friendly Limo from EVO Limo, a Reactorâ Solar Backpack donated by Rocket Reporting Network, Gift Certificates to UsedCardboardBoxes.com, and much more.

On the following morning, September 9th, the 2005 honorees appeared in City Hall to receive recognition by the Los Angeles City Council under the lead of Councilmember Eric Garcetti. They were presented with beautiful Certificates of Recognition, which brought a wonderful and appropriate close to the 6th Annual Environmentalist of the Year Awards.

Tu B'Shvat Moonlight Hike

Tu B’Shvat Tales- Children of all ages joined us for an hour of environmental Tu B’Shvat stories. There was a reading Behold the Trees, Pearl Moscowitz’s Last Stand, Sammy Spider’s First Tu B’Shvat, and Solomon and the Trees.

Westside JCC Tu B’Shvat Festival- Old Roots, New Growth! Art, moon bounce, bake sale, tree- planting, contests, and a concert by Westside Symphonette. Activities for children and adults.
6th Annual Community Tu B’Shvat Festival- A free and fun family celebration for the “Birthday of the Trees.” Entertainment includes concerts by Rebbesoul, Robbo, Cindy Paley, and The Shirettes; storytelling with Karen Golden; tree planting, hikes, tours, climbing wall, sports, food, nature crafts, animal education, Israeli dancing, moon bounce and more!

Tu B’Shvat Tour of Jewish Los Angeles- Celebrated Tu B’Shvat while learning about the rich Jewish history in Los Angeles. There was also a tree planting and other special Tu B’Shvat surprises. The tour began and ends at the Jewish Federation building.

Tu B’Shvat Shabbat at Adat Shalom- a Shabbat service filled with celebration, song, and inspirational environmental readings.