Shmuel Gonzales, the Barrio Boychik

Shmuel Gonzales, the Barrio Boychik, is a community organizer and local historian from Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles. As a Mexican American with roots in early Los Angeles and as a Jewish community leader in today’s eastside, it is his great pleasure to share with you the neglected stories of the diverse faith cultures of our great city.

He is the founder of the Boyle Heights History Studios (& Tours) – a community cultural center which is funded entirely by donations in the form of tour ticket sales; enabling us to maintain the heritage of our neighborhood. He also is the founder of the Boyle Heights Chavurah – the grassroots Jewish fellowship of East Los Angeles.

Shmuel is a life member of the Board of Directors for the Boyle Heights Historical Society. He has also served as the in-house community organizer for the Pico Union Project, a community center located in the oldest remaining synagogue in Los Angeles. He is also a lay religious leader and the chair of the Jewish Ritual Committee for Beth Shalom of Whittier, serving the communities of Southeast Los Angeles. As well as volunteer my time for a multitude of projects related to the historical preservation of the working-class community of Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles.