From the CEO
Thank You
“As we begin 2020, I want to thank you on behalf of our Board of Directors and staff for your generous support of our deeply important work this past year. …”
- Jay Sanderson, President & CEO
Read MoreFrom the CEO
Thank You
“As we begin 2020, I want to thank you on behalf of our Board of Directors and staff for your generous support of our deeply important work this past year. …”
- Jay Sanderson, President & CEO

Highlights


Financial Assistance Leads to Self-Sufficiency
Federation works with partners to create a long-term sustainable plan that increases clients’ self-sufficiency and prevents future crises. Each Jewish community member receiving support has one-on-one tailored services that focus on their goals, provide them with tools, and connect them to community resources to meet their needs. In 2019, Federation’s financial assistance network supported nearly 250 people, representing 170 households.


We Help Teens Get Mental Health Counseling
Fifteen teen educators from across the L.A. landscape came together for an eight-hour training course led by Rose Levenson, Assistant Director at Camp Bob Waldorf. The course introduced common mental health challenges for youth, reviewed typical adolescent development, and taught a five-step action plan for how to help young people in real-life crisis and non-crisis situations. LAJTI (Los Angeles Jewish Teen Initiative) takes great pride in supporting our teen educators, and we look forward to creating a community of practice among those who have been trained to continue the conversation around youth mental health.


Legislator Trip to Israel Yields Perspective
Our Community Engagement team and our Israel office worked closely with the California Legislative Jewish Caucus to lead a bi-partisan delegation to Israel in December that consisted of 16 legislators, several of whom had never been. We were especially proud to work with Jewish Caucus leadership and Rautenberg New Leaders Project (NLP) alums Caucus Chair Senator Ben Allen and Vice Chair Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel. The delegation met with members of Knesset from several parties including Likud, Blue & White, Democratic Union, and the Joint List as well as representatives of the Palestinian Authority. The group also met with Federation partners Unistream and Israel Trauma Coalition and traveled to the youth village Yemin Orde. It was an honor to travel with this esteemed group of legislators, and we look forward to additional opportunities to connect with them here and in Sacramento.


Dream Team Inspires L.A.’s Jewish Leaders
Approximately 100 members of the Federation’s Leadership Alumni Network enjoyed an evening at Cross Campus in Santa Monica for In the Chair with the Chair. The highlight was an in-depth and intimate conversation between world-renowned producer, community leader, and philanthropist Marc Platt and his wife Julie Platt — who was nearing the end of her term as our Federation’s Chair of the Board. The event, held on December 17th, was a perfect time for everyone to join in celebrating the upcoming holiday of Chanukah. What a great night for our alumni to get together to eat, drink, learn about, and be inspired by the impactful professional and philanthropic journey of the Platts — a true dream team.


CSI Teaches to Fight Against Active Shooters
CSI trains professionals in local Jewish institutions on tactics to avoid and mitigate an active shooter scenario using strategies that have been credited with saving lives during incidents like the one at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue. In a first-of-its kind collaboration, our Federation’s CSI program — along with our partners — is providing ALERRT’s nationally recognized Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) methodology to the Jewish community. In 2013, the FBI named ALERRT as their standard for active shooter response training providing the community with comprehensive, standardized, and best-practice training. Law enforcement, United States Department of Homeland Security, and military experts have worked with the community to adapt this program specifically for Jewish institutions, and CSI is making sure to implement it here in L.A. to keep our community safe.


NuRoots’ Citywide Celebration Lit up L.A.
Infinite Light, NuRoots’ annual citywide festival, mobilized thousands of young adults across Los Angeles to reimagine Hanukkah. Throughout the entire month of December, over 40 Hanukkah celebrations popped up all across Los Angeles, offering something for everyone. Through an online platform and map, community members could access everything from latke-making workshops to meditative vocal cleanses to soundbaths to a cabaret — all creating moments to connect with themes and rituals of Hanukkah. NuRoots partnered with diverse community organizations and young adult co-creators to ensure the diversity of offerings for our community. First Night, a sit-down Shabbat dinner that helped 160+ community members prep for their first night of the holiday, served as the festival’s luminous centerpiece.


New Platt Fund Sends More Kids to Camp
Working in concert with our Federation’s Jewish Camping Initiative that she helped bring to life, along with 13 local overnight summer camp partners, Julie has for years dedicated her energies to connecting kids to Jewish life through camping. The Fund will provide essential support through scholarships to make the invaluable Jewish camp experience accessible to more children in our community. The Federation once again thanks Julie for her extraordinary leadership and welcomes new Chair of the Board Mr. Albert Praw.


Tinder Founder Unveils New Venture at JTECH
More than 100 entrepreneurs, VCs, and young tech professionals gathered at the beautiful home of Gabrielle Tuite Resnick and Jeffrey Friedman for an inspiring and informative evening of networking. During the conversation moderated by LA36 reporter Jacki Karsh, Rad spoke about his experience growing up as the son of Jewish Iranian immigrants and how he quickly rose to be one of the tech industry’s biggest success stories. He also shared his thoughts on tech companies’ role in combatting the spread of hate online and his next venture Good Today’s goals to facilitate the charitable giving process. JTECH was founded with generous support from Steven Nichols (Former Chairman, President, and CEO of K-Swiss) and his wife Harriet Nichols.


Lori Gottlieb Talks Technology Overuse
Jay and Lori examined topics such as common effects of technology addiction and neglect of emotional health and development. Lori presented ideas for solutions to these growing issues, including listening more intently to and making time to be present with those we care about.


From The CEO: Thank You
As we begin 2020, I want to thank you on behalf of our Board of Directors and staff for your generous support of our deeply important work this past year. Our communal challenges are significant, but because of you we truly are making an impact on the lives of thousands, locally and globally, every day.
Thank you,
Jay Sanderson
President & CEO