• Men’s Night Out
• Conejo Valley Women’s Education Series
• Lion of Judah Thank-You Brunch
• The 45th Annual Federation/El Caballero Golf Tournament

UCLA Basketball Coach is
Big Hit with Valley Men

Ken Warner; Stephen Ross; Coach Ben Howland; Ron Plotkin; Glenn Grossman Matt Vanazian; Bob Green; Bill Kaplan of the Shalom Institute; UCLA Asst. Coach Scott Garson; Rochelle Cohen, VA Campaign Chair

UCLA Basketball Coach Ben Howland stepped in as keynote speaker for the Valley Alliance’s Men’s Night Out event May 5 at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills – and scored big. More than 200 men enjoyed Howland’s remarks about basketball, the Bruins’ Final Four run, coaching and recruiting as well as his observations about UCLA as an academic institution. This was the first men’s only event in years in the Valley, and was a huge success.

The men heard from Federation Chairman Stanley Gold about the new areas of focus of The Jewish Federation, and from Bill Kaplan, director of the Shalom Institute, about the impact the Federation has made on camping and Jewish youth here in Los Angeles.

An added bonus to the evening came in the form of Scott Garson, a young assistant basketball coach for UCLA. Garson grew up in the Valley and has always been active in Jewish activities. He coached the Los Angeles Maccabi youth basketball team and praised the Federation for its work in the community.

The event was co-chaired by Glenn Grossman, Ron Plotkin, Stephen Ross and Ken Warner.

For more information on Men’s Night Out, please contact John Magoulas at JMagoulas@JewishLA.org or (818) 464-3263.

Valley Alliance Conejo Women’s Education Series Closes Out Successful Premiere Year

The Jewish Federation Valley Alliance held the last of three installments of the Conejo Women’s Education Series at a private home May 8. This premiere year has been a great success, thanks to the interest, support and enthusiasm of women who live in the rapidly expanding Conejo Jewish community.

The program was made possible thanks to the Women’s Department of The Jewish Federation Valley Alliance, and is part of the Federation’s effort to reach out further into the Conejo, a region that continues to demonstrate incredible growth, and need for more programs targeted to Jewish women living in the area.

For this launch year, meetings included a lecture on overcoming challenges by Dr. Erica Miller, who emigrated to the U.S. as a child of and witness to the Holocaust and raised a family and had a successful career, despite her childhood demons; a tour of a mikvah and lecture on the Conejo Friendship Circle, which pairs teens with children who have special needs, giving their families a much needed break; and a speaker from KOREH L.A., the Federation’s highly successful volunteer youth literacy program.

Conveners of the series said they look forward to creating a program next year that will continue to stimulate the hearts and minds of Conejo women and inspire them to become more involved in The Jewish Federation. “It was so inspiring to see our outreach become successful and engage these women in the work of the Federation and the greater Jewish community,” said Ellen Silverman, Vice President Innovative Projects. “Because of this program’s success, we look forward to using the Conejo as a model to continue reaching out to other communities within the San Fernando Valley.”

For more information on the Conejo Valley Women’s Education Series, please contact Leah Kitz at (818) 464-3215 or LKitz@JewishLA.org.

Valley Alliance Says ‘Thanks’ to
Its Lions at 6th Annual Brunch

Jill Namm, Women's Campaign Chair; Suzanne Gallant & Lynette Brown, LOJ Endowment Co-chairs; Karmi Monsher, Women's Dept. President

The Jewish Federation Valley Alliance held its 6th Annual Lion of Judah Thank You event Tuesday, May 13 at a private home in Hidden Hills, California.

Chaired and hosted by Sue Ann Singer and Joy Smith, with baking led by Lynette Brown, the tea was an opportunity to honor and thank the Valley Lions for their steadfast support of the Valley Alliance’s Women’s Campaign at the Lion of Judah level. In 2008, the Valley Alliance surpassed a total of 200 Lions for the first time.

Sue Ann Singer, event co-chair; Esther Netter, speaker; Joyce Smith, event co-chair

The keynote speaker was esteemed educator Esther Netter, CEO of the Zimmer Children’s Museum, a Federation beneficiary agency, which promotes values that help make a better society through interactive learning, creative self-expression and art activities for children and families. Netter spoke to Valley Lions about youTHink, the Zimmer’s arts education initiative, which uses the power of art to foster critical thinking, engage diverse learners, promote literacy and serve as tool for social change.

For more information on The Jewish Federation’s Valley Alliance Lion of Judah Campaign, please contact John Magoulas at JMagoulas@JewishLA.org or (818) 464-3263.

Valley Alliance Men Honored at the Annual
El Caballero Golf Tournament and Dinner

Don Marks presents 2008 David Ben-Gurion Award to David Wohlgemuth

On May 14, Tarzana’s El Caballero Country Club, whose members are big Federation boosters and raise approximately 20 percent of the Valley’s Annual Campaign, held their 45th annual Golf Tournament and Dinner. Distinguished and longtime members Arnie Gittelson and David Wohlgemuth were presented with the Ben-Gurion Award, which honors those who have proven themselves leaders, dedicated to shaping their communities and The Jewish Federation Valley Alliance.

Honoree Arnie Gittelson receives 2008 David Ben-Gurion Award from Sam Saltsman

After a full day of golf, both men’s community service accomplishments were laid out by family, friends and fellow club members in a moving video presentation. Len Goodman, one of the judges on the ABC hit series, “Dancing with the Stars,” popped in for a round of golf and stayed through the dinner, smiling, posing for photos and charming the honorees and other members of El Caballero.

The tournament and dinner were chaired by Alan Durlester and Robert Irmas.

For more information on the Golf Tournament, please contact John Magoulas at JMagoulas@JewishLA.org
or (818) 464-3263.