http://www.jewishla.org/ en Copyright 2012 2012-05-16T16:17:30+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/jewish-american-heritage-month-whos-making-an-impact-in-our-community/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/jewish-american-heritage-month-whos-making-an-impact-in-our-community/ May is Jewish American Heritage Month in the U.S. and in celebration we want you to tell us who you think is making a positive impact here in the L.A. Jewish community. As part of the commemoration, Union Bank and KCET have joined in the celebration by honoring several of our community members. 2012-05-16T15:17:30+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/rule-of-law/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/rule-of-law/ The Federation’s 63rd Annual Legal Division Dinner was a memorable evening honoring Marc Seltzer of Susman Godfrey for his longtime dedication and commitment to the Federation, as well as his work on behalf of the community. In recognition of such, the Beverly Wilshire was filled with a veritable who’s who of the Los Angeles legal community, including judicial luminaries from the federal, state and county courts. 2012-05-15T21:52:36+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/watch-israel-inside-and-get-the-inside-scoop/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/watch-israel-inside-and-get-the-inside-scoop/ Our Federation’s LA/Israel Network is dedicated to showcasing Israel’s progressiveness and innovation across business, social, environmental and philanthropic platforms. That’s why we recently hosted Jason Wolf from Better Place – for the inside scoop on the Israeli electric car company that is one of the many organizations and people profiled in the hit documentary, Israel Inside: How a Small Nation Makes a Big Difference. You can watch it right now! 2012-05-14T14:54:57+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/urge-the-state-assembly-to-increase-pressure-on-iran/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/urge-the-state-assembly-to-increase-pressure-on-iran/ Last week, the State Assembly Insurance Committee approved AB 2160 (Blumenfield). This bill is a vital part of national and international efforts to ratchet up economic pressure on the government of Iran and to stop its nuclear weapon program. You can help ensure the bill passes. 2012-05-11T19:25:06+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/rabbis-and-staff-get-the-scoop-on-israeli-politics-from-gil-hoffman/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/rabbis-and-staff-get-the-scoop-on-israeli-politics-from-gil-hoffman/ In honor of Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel Independence Day, Hoffman briefed members of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California and Federation staff on the political climate in Israel and its relationship to the upcoming U.S. presidential election, dubbing his topic “Red States, Blue States and the Jewish State.” 2012-05-08T15:38:25+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/rec-dinner-leaders-in-innovative-philanthropy/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/rec-dinner-leaders-in-innovative-philanthropy/ This year, our Federation’s Real Estate & Construction (REC) Division annual dinner at the Century Plaza was an extraordinary event honoring Brian Shirken, recognizing the work of our Real Estate Principals Organization (RPO) and remembering community leader Sam Rosenwald z”l. The evening’s highlights were non-stop. 2012-05-07T16:20:37+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/diller-teen-fellows-awesome-north-american-seminar/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/diller-teen-fellows-awesome-north-american-seminar/ Just before Passover, we, the Los Angeles Diller Teen Fellows Cohort 5, met our counterparts from Tel Aviv. We were excited and nervous to welcome them into our community and our homes, not knowing what to expect from them or the LA-TA Diller North American Seminar. Many feared the worst, many hoped for the best. 2012-05-07T15:36:11+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/calling-all-front-line-responders/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/calling-all-front-line-responders/ Whether the call comes from a senior with no family, an immigrant who needs employment, or an incarcerated individual seeking an advocate, front line responders in our community need the best possible information to truly be of service. 2012-05-04T16:16:41+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/israel-is-a-better-place-on-may-8th/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/israel-is-a-better-place-on-may-8th/ Join us on May 8th for an inspiring presentation by Jason Wolf, VP of North America for Better Place, an Israeli electric car company that’s reinventing the industry. He’ll share some of the environmental and hi-tech breakthroughs Better Place has achieved. 2012-05-01T17:51:04+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/israels-64th-birthday-party/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/israels-64th-birthday-party/ This Thursday, we celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut – commemorating the anniversary of Israel's declaration of Independence in 1948. On Sunday, join us at the party! This year’s Israel Independence Day Festival is taking place at Rancho Park. And being there with us is a great way to show your solidarity and support of our Jewish homeland. 2012-04-23T20:43:45+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/what-could-be-cooler-than-the-negev-in-july/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/what-could-be-cooler-than-the-negev-in-july/ Make this the most incredible summer of your life by spending four weeks as a “New Pioneer” in Israel’s Negev, from July 9-August 5. Working shoulder-to-shoulder with Israeli students, you’ll help fulfill The Jewish Federation’s mission of ensuring the Jewish future while reviving the Zionist ideal through building student and entrepreneurial villages with our partner the Ayalim Association. You’ll also have time to... 2012-04-20T17:13:22+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/what-are-you-doing-this-summer/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/what-are-you-doing-this-summer/ 
If you’re planning a family trip this Summer, make Israel your vacation destination – and share the trip of a lifetime with the ones you love on one of two Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) Family Missions: June 25th - July 4th or July 16th - July 25th.
 
 2012-04-17T17:17:30+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/rabbi-naomi-levy-charges-leaders-to-answer-the-call/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/rabbi-naomi-levy-charges-leaders-to-answer-the-call/ In Jewish circles, we don’t talk much about “The Calling” – perhaps from above, perhaps from within -- to leadership. God called out to Abraham, Moses, Jeremiah and every other Jewish prophet – why not to us? 2012-04-11T19:52:56+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/want-to-make-it-in-hollywood-go-to-israel-this-june/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/want-to-make-it-in-hollywood-go-to-israel-this-june/ If you’re an up-and-coming entertainment professional, the hottest place to learn from the best and make the connections you need to take on Tinseltown is Tel Aviv, Israel during this year’s Master Class in Film & Television, June 20th-July 1st.

 2012-04-10T20:38:38+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/happy-passover1/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/happy-passover1/ This week, in homes across our community, we will read in our Haggadot about our people’s Exodus from Egypt. With that in mind, I’m writing today to let you know our Federation is writing a new Haggadah every day – thanks to your generous support. 2012-04-05T17:32:33+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/what-happens-in-vegas/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/what-happens-in-vegas/ Last week, 80 young adults from Los Angeles met up in Las Vegas and joined together with more than 1,500 of their peers from all across the United States and Canada for the 2nd annual TribeFest. Let’s hope that what happened in Vegas doesn’t stay there! 2012-04-02T22:13:07+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/one-partnership-three-perspectives/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/one-partnership-three-perspectives/ As the Senior Education Director of The Jewish Federation’s School Twinning program, I recently returned from an Educator’s visit to Lithuania as part of our new 3-way partnership program between the Shalom Aleichem School in Tel Aviv, Kehillat Israel in Pacific Palisades, and the Shevach Mofet School in Vilnius. 2012-04-02T16:13:50+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/rain-cant-soak-the-spirit-of-our-volunteers/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/rain-cant-soak-the-spirit-of-our-volunteers/ On March 25th, our Federation held its second Community Service Day of 2012. More than 70 of our dedicated volunteers braved the heaviest rain storms of the year to participate in projects that benefited people all over Los Angeles – a true testament to their commitment and spirit! 2012-03-29T22:07:04+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/it-takes-a-woman/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/it-takes-a-woman/ At this year’s It Takes A Woman event, every one of the 400 attendees had their own “aha moment” as best-selling author and keynote speaker Iris Krasnow warmly – and frankly – shared personal musings from her experiences as a wife, a mother, and especially, as a daughter. 2012-03-22T16:08:18+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/we-mourn-a-great-loss/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/we-mourn-a-great-loss/ We are deeply saddened by the senseless tragedy that took the lives of four people outside the Ozar Hatorah school in Tolouse, France earlier today. Eyewitnesses said a lone gunman drove up to the school on a motorbike around 8 a.m. local time, as the students were arriving for the school day, and opened fire using two firearms. The victims have been identified as thirty-year-old Rabbi Jonathan Sandler of Jerusalem, a teacher... 2012-03-19T22:56:52+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/looking-for-funding/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/looking-for-funding/ If you’re a Jewish community innovator looking for funding, keep reading! The Jewish Venture Philanthropy Fund-Los Angeles (JVPF), in collaboration with The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, is pleased to announce its 2012 (Round X) Request for Proposals. 2012-03-14T17:50:54+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/get-involved-through-leads/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/get-involved-through-leads/ LEADS (Leadership, Education and Development Series) is an amazing program that has had overwhelming success in other Federations across the country. It provides an opportunity for young Jewish adults, ages 25-40, around the LA area to get together, learn more about the LA Jewish community, the Federation, and about Jewish identity. LEADS will also provide a forum in which to discuss pertinent issues and explore... 2012-03-13T15:36:30+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/an-historic-evening-with-shimon-peres/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/an-historic-evening-with-shimon-peres/ Last Thursday evening at the Beverly Hilton, The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles brought our community together for a historic evening with The Honorable Shimon Peres, President of the State of Israel. Over 100 organizations and congregations were represented, but we want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to see highlights from the historic event and hear what the President had to say regarding... 2012-03-12T16:21:37+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/better-together-conference-inspires-jewish-organizations-to-take-action/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/better-together-conference-inspires-jewish-organizations-to-take-action/ On the final day of February’s Inclusion Awareness Month, Federation, HaMercaz, the BJE, and the Board of Rabbis convened professionals and lay leaders from across the spectrum of Jewish organizations for the Better Together Inclusion Conference. IAM 2012-03-09T18:29:38+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/welcome-shimon-peres-president-of-the-state-of-israel/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/welcome-shimon-peres-president-of-the-state-of-israel/ The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles Convenes the Jewish Community to Welcome Shimon Peres, President of the State of Israel. Jay Sanderson, President and CEO of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, issued the following statement on the historic occasion 2012-03-08T21:12:11+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/the-day-schools-that-could-be/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/the-day-schools-that-could-be/ My son Ezra wasn’t yet three when his journey to a Jewish day-school education was detoured. Sitting in toddler-size chairs in a synagogue preschool, we listened as his teacher told us he wasn’t fitting in with the other children: While they sang, he flipped idly through picture books. Instead of joining classmates in play, he focused intently on animal toys, spacey and aloof. IAM 2012-02-29T18:16:18+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/super-week-win-win-win/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/super-week-win-win-win/ Super Week was a tremendous success! More than 300 community members made calls to raise funds on behalf of our Federation's vital work, and more than 400 volunteers participated in community service projects all across Los Angeles. Plus, three community members won awesome prizes! 2012-02-27T18:49:12+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/sdrasvuyte-hello-from-vilnius/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/sdrasvuyte-hello-from-vilnius/ Did you know that in Vilnius, Lithuania, the bakeries sell bread in the shape of challah every Friday, and every September, they sell sweet, round challah? The locals don’t know why, but their history reveals the true reason. Before WWII, 45% of the population in Vilnius was Jewish. Today, about half a million people live in Vilnius; however, only 3,500 of them are Jews. 2012-02-22T23:06:47+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/inclusion-and-independence/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/inclusion-and-independence/ In the received wisdom that gets passed from one special needs family to another, one favorite is: “What is the first thing that you say to a family when they have a newborn has a disability?” Pause for effect. Answer: “Mazal Tov!” But let me pose a variation on that theme: What does one family, with a special needs son or daughter, say to another when their child graduates high school? Pause for panic to set in. Answer: “What do we do now?” IAM 2012-02-22T18:20:13+00:00 http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/super-week-service-super-inclusive/ http://www.jewishla.org/blog/entry/super-week-service-super-inclusive/ As part of Super Week, we held the first of our Community Service Days of 2012, with volunteer projects tied into our Federation’s work in the area of inclusion for Jewish individuals with disabilities. February is Inclusion Awareness Month (IAM) and over 350 of our dedicated volunteers partnered with our friends of all abilities to work, play and improve our community! 2012-02-17T15:55:41+00:00