Rex Weiner

Rex Weiner is a Brooklyn-born, third-generation journalist who from 1992 to 1997 covered the entertainment industry as a staff reporter for Daily Variety, where his column, Lost and Found, appeared weekly. His articles have appeared in Vanity Fair, the Los Angeles Times Sunday magazine, The New Yorker, The New York Observer and LA Weekly, and he contributes regularly to Rolling Stone Italia. His screenwriting credits include “The Adventures of Ford Fairlane” (20th Century Fox), and he was one of the first writers of the TV series “Miami Vice.” He is a founding editor of High Times magazine and a co-author of The Woodstock Census (Viking, 1979), one of the key texts analyzing the impact of the ’60s generation on American society. He is currently based in Los Angeles and in the town of Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico, where his fluent Spanish and capacity for tequila come in handy. He can be reached at rexweiner@forward.com.

Jews Unite Behind Push for Immigration Reform

Rex WeinerJune 26, 2013

The Jewish community has come together to push for immigration reform with a sense of purpose rarely seen on any issue other than support for Israel.

British Comedy Legend Jonathan Lynn Brings Unique Style to Los Angeles

Rex WeinerJune 6, 2013

Jonathan Lynn grew up as the only Jewish boy in the British town of Bath and is the nephew of Israeli leader Abba Eban. Both shaped his classic comedy, ‘Yes, Prime Minister.’

How a T-Shirt Made Its Way to an Exhibit About Los Angeles Jews

Rex WeinerJune 1, 2013

On a wall in the Autry Center’s exhibit about the history of Jews in Los Angeles, hangs a t-shirt. And behind that t-shirt, lies a personal story.

Los Angeles 'Jewish' Mayoral Candidates Focus on Economy Not Ethnicity

Rex WeinerMarch 8, 2013

Los Angeles will soon have its first Jewish mayor — or one who is married to a Jew. But the two run-off candidates are focusing more on economics than ethnic politics.

It's Jew vs. Jew at the L.A. Hilton

Rex WeinerFebruary 15, 2013

Nearly 900 high school students representing Reform congregations from around the U.S. and Canada attending the NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth) Convention in Los Angeles this weekend will be met by an unusual picket line of Jewish protesters. Organizers booked their bi-annual convention into the Hilton LAX Hotel, currently on the boycott list of UNITE HERE Local 11, and the Jewish Labor Committee’s Western Region chapter has called for a picket line at the hotel, beginning Friday morning. “These youth are also being served an extra portion of hypocrisy by their own leadership,” said a JLC bulletin emailed to its membership, and taking aim at the Union for Reform Judaism, which supports the NFTY program.

IKAR Looks To Build Without Losing Magic

Rex WeinerDecember 30, 2012

IKAR, the famously anti-institutional spiritual community in L.A., is making plans for its own building, while trying to hold onto its roots.

Brad Sherman Crushes Berman in L.A. Battle

Rex WeinerNovember 7, 2012

Rep. Brad Sherman won a bitter political cage fight over fellow Jewish Democrat Howard Berman to represent a new congressional district in Los Angeles’s San Fernando Valley.

When Tehran Comes to Los Angeles

Rex WeinerOctober 20, 2012

A stunning collection of Iranian Jewish artifacts comes to Los Angeles this month. The exhibit was complicated by tricky talks over U.S. sanctions against the Islamic republic.

Running Neck-and-Neck Sherman and Berman Amp Up Their Accusations

Rex WeinerOctober 3, 2012

Trading charges of abusing government funds and and profiteering from campaign contributions, Democrats Brad Sherman and Howard Berman shook the Sukkah on Monday in their fight for the San Fernando Valley’s new 30th Congressional District.

Torn Between Homeland, New Land and Israel

Rex WeinerSeptember 21, 2012

Caught between strong feelings for their homeland and Israel, Iranian Jews in Los Angeles worry about the threat of war to stop Iran’s nuclear program.