I think we all know how dangerous drunk driving can be.  In addition to the implicit and life-threatening danger, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California, the average cost of a first offense of a DUI is $12,000.  There are also myriad social and occupational effects that come along with DUIs.

So, when you come out to The Justice Ball this weekend, don’t take the risk—hire a cab or carpool with a designated driver…because driving drunk just isn’t worth it.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Get Inked!!! Visit the Justice Ball tattoo parlor and get some hot rock-and-roll, Bet Tzedek, or Justice Ball themed fake tattoos.

Jam and sing to your heart’s content at the Guitar Hero and DJ Hero contest, with special prizes.

Get ready to woo and flirt to find that “special someone” at the Justice Ball J-Date Speed Dating lounge.

Become a Pinball Wizard! Make Tommy jealous of your pinball prowess on our rock-themed pinball machines.

and….

Much, much more….come out to the Hollywood Palladium Saturday, and see for yourself!

Jewelry? We got it!  Primo baseball tickets? We got those too. Fabulous getaways?  Well, of course! Golfing opportunities at the best clubs in town? Heck ya!

What am I talking about?  This year’s Silent Auction at The Justice Ball!

You’ll have the opportunity to bid on incredible items including…

…Tickets to the 2011 Finale of American Idol!!  That’s right, two impossible-to-get seats for next year’s finale!  Who is going to replace Simon?  Will Ellen dance at the finale?  Is Paula coming back to judge?  The answer to these and all of your other burning AI questions will be answered and you’ll see the results in person!

…Or how about the use of a Los Angeles Kings Luxury Suite for you and 11 friends?  Talk about a night on the town!

…Or maybe fly away via two roundtrip tickets from Southwest Airlines…

Our motto is, “Live Fast, Bid High”…because when you purchase one (or more) of the amazing auction items we are offering, you are helping provide equal justice for all!  Yes, it’s true.  All proceeds from The Justice Ball will go directly to help our more than 12,000 clients whom we assist each year.  Think of it this way, when you shop, you’re doing a good deed!  So stop by the Silent Auction at this year’s Justice Ball (you can’t miss our more than 100 fantastic items) and shop til you drop!

This year will be my 7th Justice Ball.  It’s hard to believe I’ve been on the Event Committee that long, but the calendar doesn’t lie.  I’ve seen the Go-Go’s, Ozomatli, the Psychedelic Furs, the Violent Femmes, Sugar Ray, and DJ AM. All were great shows , but I think my favorites were DJ AM  (2009) and Stephan Jenkins’ (of Third Eye Blind) opening act for Sugar Ray  (2004).  Every year I grab a bunch of friends to go with me, and every year they tell me that the Justice Ball was one of the best events they have attended.  Bet Tzedek never disappoints when it comes time to throw a party.

I got involved with the Justice Ball the way most people do, through a friend who was already working with Bet Tzedek.   Every year I am grateful that Jonathan looped me into the Event Committee.  I have made a tremendous number of personal friends, I have had the chance to work with some amazing people, and, most of all, I have been a part of raising millions of dollars to fund Bet Tzedek’s work on behalf of low income Angelinos.   That means that there are thousands of people still in their homes because I helped sue credit scam artists who would have put them on the street.  I helped Holocaust survivors get their long overdue reparations.  I helped fight human trafficking.  But the reality is that I only helped.  On my own, I can do a little.  By supporting Bet Tzedek, we can do a lot together.  There is always more work to be done and there’s always room for someone to add a helping hand.   If you want to do your part, join the Event Committee, bring friends to the Justice Ball, volunteer with Bet Tzedek–get involved.  It is a great way to do your part to repair the world.   (And…bonus, it’s a lot of fun too.)

An internationally recognized force in poverty law, Bet Tzedek’s free legal and social services secure life’s necessities-housing, health care and employment-for Los Angeles’ most vulnerable residents.

Founded in 1974 by community leaders who sought to act upon a central tenet of Jewish law and tradition, “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof – justice, justice you shall pursue.” This doctrine decrees that it is the duty of all people to advocate the just cause of the poor.  Consistent with this teaching, each year, Bet Tzedek helps over 15,000 low-income Angelenos of every racial and religious background achieve equal access to justice – all at no cost to the recipients.

Bet Tzedek’s approach of delivering the types of programs most needed for any given economic or political environment is a hallmark of its operation.  Leveraging the capabilities of thousands of dedicated pro bono volunteers creates a remarkably cost-effective way of delivering much needed legal, legislative and advocacy services.

The video below is an example of how Bet Tzedek helps those in need.  Elena is one of an estimated 20,000 human trafficking victims in the United States.  She is free today because of the advice of a heroic college student, who convinced her to call Bet Tzedek for help.

The Justice Ball provides essential funding and support so that Bet Tzedek can advocate for those who, like Elena, face incredible challenges and hardships. To learn more and support Bet Tzedek, visit www.bettzedek.org.

All proceeds from the auction benefit Bet Tzedek.

Visit www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/1410122 to bid.  The auction ends June 16, so don’t wait.

On Monday, May 17, Bet Tzedek Legal Services embraced its role as the
“House of Justice” by convening an Attorney General Candidates Forum at
Sony Studios.  The Forum featured the six leading Democratic candidates
and one Republican candidate for California’s top legal job.

The lively and informative discussion, moderated by Bet Tzedek President
and CEO Mitch Kamin, explored civic justice issues often ignored in
attorney general campaigns. The candidates discussed immigration,
environmental justice, consumer protection, human trafficking, mortgage
fraud, and elder abuse.

The event was conceived and organized by Bet Tzedek’s volunteer-led
Justice Ball Committee, a dynamic group of young professionals whose
support of Bet Tzedek’s work includes organizing The Justice Ball.

The substantive discussion at the Attorney General Candidates Forum is a
reminder that beyond being one of the best parties of the summer, The Justice Ball provides essential support to Bet Tzedek.  To learn more about Bet Tzedek and its efforts to bring justice to all, please visit www.bettzedek.org.