Pico Union Project

Specialties

The Pico Union Project is a multi-​faith house of worship and cultural arts center dedicated to the Jewish principle of loving one’s neighbor as oneself. We believe one must first know one’s neighbor before one can love them – so, we elevate this teaching into practice by bringing diverse cultures together through song, story, art, food and prayer, embodied in our programs. We are committed to producing performance material that breaks down traditional communication barriers and supports the cultivating and education of upcoming artists. Participants in our programming will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of their own culture or faith, learn about others, and thus re-​affirm the importance of collaborative creativity in communicating ideas, shaping history and forming meaningful bonds between people.

History

Established in 2013.

The Pico Union Project is deeply inspired by the history, location and spiritual energy of our building. Built in 1909, the Pico Union Project is situated in the oldest synagogue building in Los Angeles and is a fixture of the Pico Union neighborhood – which has historically been a center of migration and settlement for different ethnic groups in the Los Angeles area. Having served first as a Jewish congregation, then as a Welsh Presbyterian Church, the building is now a dynamic sanctuary and performance space for a variety of faith community partners and cultural programs that fulfill our mission.

Meet the Manager

Craig T.

Manager

Craig Taubman has left an indelible imprint on the Jewish American experience through his original compositions, recorded music and live performances. His musical style is inspiring, eclectic and accessible, his songs bridge traditional Jewish themes and ancient teachings with passages and experiences from contemporary Jewish life, and he has composed extensively for both adults and children.

Craig has also enjoyed a successful career in television and film composing and directed music for the Fox children’s series Rimba’s Island, the critically acclaimed HBO animated series Happily Ever After, and Shari Lewis’s PBS series, Charley Horse Pizza.

Having traveled for years as a touring musician, Craig has met people from communities large and small, urban, suburban and rural, Jewish and not, and as a natural «connecter,» he became passionate about using his talents to bring diverse people together in new ways.