Israel Independence Day Festival
At The Jewish Federation we say the distance between Los Angeles and Israel is measured not in miles, but in heartbeats. Nowhere in LA is that statement truer than in the Valley communities, where the Israeli and Jewish populations continue to multiply. Because the lifeline between Valley Jews and Israel is so vital, many of our Federation programs and events were conceived to build a lasting connection to and support the Jewish state. Each spring, thousands across Southern California come together for a festival to celebrate Israel’s Independence Day. The festival, which features a skydiving show, live entertainment on four stages, carnival rides, Israeli cuisine, arts, fashion, family-friendly activities and hundreds of vendor booths, has become a Los Angeles fixture celebrating Israel’s statehood. For more information on the Festival, please contact Jonathan Boyer, Israel Independence Day Festival Coordinator at (818) 464-3206 or JBoyer@JewishLA.org.

Mitzvah Day
Jews across the Valley join together for a common purpose the first Sunday of November – to perform tikkun olam and heal the world. Mitzvah Day, a communitywide volunteering partnership organized by The Jewish Federation Valley Alliance and Jewish institutions, represents an extraordinary showing of Jewish strength and spirit. Thousands of volunteers from more than 20 Jewish institutions participate, no matter their affiliation or background, to show the world just how much they care. To get involved in Mitzvah Day, please contact Florence Andrews at (818) 464-3203 or FAndrews@JewishLA.org.

Hispanic Jewish Women’s Task Force
The objectives of this group are to foster open communication between Hispanic and Jewish women in the Valley; to enable them to share knowledge and skills; and to address the social concerns and needs that affect their constituents. Now in its ninth year, this monthly program continues to create bridges between the Jewish and Hispanic communities through the efforts of its dedicated members. To learn more please contact Florence Andrews at (818) 464-3203 or FAndrews@JewishLA.org.

The Conejo/West Valley Task Force
United Jewish Communities (UJC), working with The Jewish Federation Valley Alliance, identified the Conejo/ West Valley as a rapidly growing Jewish community. The Jewish Outreach Institute (JOI) was brought in as a consultant to determine ways in which the organized Jewish community can further its outreach efforts to grow and engage unaffiliated Jews and build community. Upon completion of the scan, The Jewish Federation Valley Alliance facilitated self-study opportunities for synagogues and other Jewish institutions to learn and apply strategies to make the West Valley/ Conejo region a more welcoming community in accordance with its growth.

Valley Alliance Sherut L’Olam Teen Leadership Corps
This exciting new leadership program is designed to train 50 high school teens in the most critical social justice and environmental issues facing our world today. Teens will explore contemporary issues such as global warming and genocide in Darfur and then learn how to take action by mobilizing efforts in their local community. Most importantly, teens will learn valuable leadership, team building and advocacy skills that will enable them to teach and model what they have learned in a highly effective and professional manner. These issues will also be closely connected with discussions of Jewish principles and ethics.

Teens who participate in this program will earn 30-50 community service hours. They receive training that will enable them to go out and lead an activity on Mitzvah Day.

The Federation's partners in this new and exciting program include: JNF, BJE, Jewish World Watch, Camp Alonim, Camp JCA Shalom, NFTY, USY, Young Judaea, Jewish Student Union, Temple Aliyah and BBYO. The Valley Alliance Sherut L'Olam Teen Leadership Corps is supported by funding through The Jewish Federation Valley Alliance and the Martin F. Witkin Trust facilitated by Mike Waterman Fund. For more information, please contact Lori Brockman at Lori@shalominstitute.com or (818) 889-5500 ext. 111.

To learn more about community programming, please contact Florence Andrews at (818) 464-3203 or FAndrews@JewishLA.org.