Recent stories appearing in major publications featuring The Jewish Federation.

Economic Turmoil Puts Pressure on Jewish Community
The Jewish Journal – July 23, 2008
By Brad A. Greenberg, Senior Writer

These are tough times for all Americans. The drama working its way through the economy -- surging gas and food prices, crises in the housing and financial markets, climbing unemployment rates and a dismal overall outlook -- is affecting non-profit organizations and charities as well. The scariest reality for many organizations is how unclear the future remains. So far, many charities report that fundraising is on pace with last year, but at the same time, officials admit the situation could go south in a hurry if the economy doesn't improve. "We all have to proceed forward knowing that there is this ambiguity, there are a lot of pieces of a complex puzzle which are not filling in the gestalt of the communal reality," said John Fishel, president of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. "I start from a premise of 'let's be practical; let's assume the best, but be aware that the best may not be able to be achieved.'"

The Israel Lobby, Hollywood Style
The Los Angeles Times – July 21, 2008
By Patrick Goldstein, Contributing Writer

For the past two years, one entertainment industry figure has made it a crusade to raise industry consciousness about Israel -- the respected William Morris agent David Lonner, whose clients include Alexander Payne, J.J. Abrams and Jon Turteltaub, has been taking groups of Hollywood tastemakers -- both Jews and Gentiles -- on tours of Israel. The trips, co-sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, have attracted a host of A-listers, including Pascal, such writers and directors as Payne, Turteltaub, Brad Silberling, Michael Tolkin and Audrey Wells, along with producers Nina Jacobson and Donald DeLine. The event-packed five-day itinerary includes meetings with Israeli artists, high-tech tycoons, soldiers and politicians; a walking tour of historical sites; a helicopter ride across the country; and an evening of Torah study at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies.

Extending the Birthright Privilege
The Jewish Journal – July 16, 2008
By Julie Gruenbaum Fax, Education Editor

Birthright's success in awakening a connection to Jewish heritage and Israel is unprecedented in American Jewish life. As the number of alumni continues to multiply, they are infusing new energy into American Jewry. The question now facing the organizers of Birthright -- and the rest of the Jewish community -- is what to do with all those alumni. Some federations in large communities, including The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, have had alumni coordinators on their birthright staff for several years. Birthright alumni programming at The Jewish Federation is strong, with an average of two events per month.

Mall Owners Partner with Local Businesses in Philanthropic Push for Ethiopian Youth
The Jerusalem Post – July 8, 2008
By Ruth Eglash

With Jewish philanthropic organizations suffering a loss of international donations due to the falling dollar, the owners of an Israeli shopping mall chain have turned to the local market and initiated a program of giving among its high-profile chain store tenants. The fundraising initiative is the brainchild of BIG Shopping Center owners Yehuda and Liz Naftali, who, working hand-in-hand with The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, put up $300,000 of the overall donation to PACT, a comprehensive educational program in Beit Shemesh run by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) aimed at helping Ethiopian-Israeli preschoolers and their families.

Federation in the News Archive