When our children walk into school each morning — whether it’s an early childhood center or a college lecture hall — they share the same blend of curiosity, challenge, and even nervousness. What will learning be like? Maybe they’ll make new friends? How will school make them better people?
After all, schools and education are precious to the Jewish community. “Learning and teaching”, as the prayer goes, is a holy act. The word ”rabbi” does not mean priest, but “master teacher.” Jewish families sacrifice vacations, nicer cars, and other luxuries because education is the most important gift we give to our children.
We also know that at JFEDLA, protecting our students means more than just showing up in moments of crisis. It means being there every day with the resources, relationships, and skills to put the value of teaching the next generation in action. Your support makes all of this possible.
This school year, and each day of the year, we want you to know: We’ve got your back. Here’s how we’re taking action to support Jewish students of all ages.
Preparing Jewish Students and Families for College Life
College can be overwhelming, especially for Jewish students right now. To help, we created our Campus Toolkit, a comprehensive resource to help students find connection, build community based on Jewish values, and access the support they need to flourish. Download the guide and share it with other Jewish college students. We also hosted our Rising Freshmen College Orientation last weekend, where Jewish teens and their families heard from experts, campus professionals, and peers about how to navigate their first year of college with confidence and pride.
Sharing Shabbat with Jewish College Students
Shabbat is a chance to pause, recharge, and remember that you’re a part of something greater than yourself. We’re proud to support Shabbat dinners at Hillels and Chabads on local college campuses, including UCLA, USC, Hillel 818, CSUN, Occidental, Pepperdine, and the Jewish Grad Organization. Each dinner offers Jewish students a warm meal, a sense of belonging, and the chance to root themselves in our tradition.
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Leading the Charge to Pass the State Bill Countering Antisemitism
No child should feel afraid to be Jewish in the classroom. We’ve been working nonstop to pass AB 715, a bill that will protect Jewish students from antisemitism in California’s K-12 schools. With your help, we’ve flooded nearly 10,000 emails and 3,000 phone calls into the offices of our elected officials. We’ve mobilized Jewish leaders, students, and community partners to speak up — and they’ve been heard. But coordinated opposition is working hard to block the bill. A vote by the California Senate Education Committee is scheduled for early September. Let’s keep the momentum going. Take a moment to educate yourself on AB 715. Send a message to key California lawmakers, urging them to vote YES on AB 715. Join us in Sacramento to testify in support of this vital legislation.
Continuing to Help Families Rebuild
Months after the wildfires devastated our region, many families are still struggling. Our Helping Uplift Generations (HUG) Fund offers critical tuition support for Jewish early childhood centers, covering 50% of tuition for families impacted by the fires.
At JFEDLA, we believe in the values of community and protection. As our children go back to school, every Jewish student deserves to thrive in an environment where they feel safe and confident in their Jewish identity. That’s the future we’re creating. We’re honored to build it with you.
R’ Noah
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