Press & Media
The Opening of Our Dynamic BAR Center at the Beach (Jewish Journal)
November 7, 2021
Named for lead donors Allison and Bennett Rosenthal, and designed by Hagy Belzberg of Belzberg Architects, the $10 million renovated BAR Center, located on the Venice Beach boardwalk, will open in January 2022 and once again serve hundreds of seniors with programs and services, in partnership with Jewish Family Service of LA.
An “Ultimate Insider” mission to Israel (eJewish Philanthropy)
November 7, 2021
An “Ultimate Insider” mission to Israel from the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles met with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Participants included the federation’s CEO, Jay Sanderson; Les Bider, past chair of the board; Lynn Bider, vice chair of the board; Albert Praw, chair of the board; and Orna Wolens, general campaign chair.
An Inspiring Retrospective On Our President & CEO’s Impact (Jewish Journal)
October 28, 2021
The small cardboard boxes that lined the top of his office credenza said it all. Jay Sanderson, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, had started the task of methodically packing the numerous memorabilia he collected throughout his career.
Our Work Defeating the Antisemitic UTLA Vote (Daily News)
September 21, 2021
A vote on a controversial resolution expressing support for Palestine and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel will likely be shelved during a meeting this week of members of the union representing Los Angeles Unified teachers.
What Do You Say on Yom Kippur? Greetings, Prayers, Kol Nidrei for Jewish Day of Atonement (Newsweek)
September 15, 2021
Following Rosh Hashanah, a festive celebration of the Jewish New Year, Yom Kippur strikes a more sober tone. Yom Kippur is the most significant of all the Jewish holidays and marks the end of a 10-day period of repentance that starts with Rosh Hashanah. Those
Providing a Virtual Community for Rosh Hashanah (Jewish Journal)
September 12, 2021
Twenty civic leaders representing city, county, state and federal government participated in The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles’ annual Rosh Hashanah gathering titled “Hear Our Voices: Reflections and Visions for the New Year A Rosh Hashanah Celebration With Civic Leaders” on Monday, Aug. 30. About 105 people tuned in on Zoom.
LA teachers working to quash a union BDS vote say they’re winning (The Forward)
July 26, 2021
An intense campaign to derail a Los Angeles teachers’ union resolution supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement is working, say members of Jewish groups that banded together to defeat it.
Jewish Federation Names Noah Farkas New President and CEO (NBC News)
June 30, 2021
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles announced Wednesday that Rabbi Noah Farkas will be its next president and chief executive officer.
CSI’s Guard Force Training Program
June 12, 2021
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles launched a program Wednesday to train and educate security guards at local Jewish facilities to stem a recent rise in antisemitic incidents.
LA teachers' union submit motion to end US aid to Israel and endorse BDS (Jerusalem Post)
June 8, 2021
The Los Angeles Teacher's Union (UTLA) will vote in its September "House of Representatives," meeting on a resolution calling upon the US government to stop all aid to Israel and endorse the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel.
Defending our Community Against Antisemitic Attacks (LA Times)
May 20, 2021
Los Angeles public officials and faith leaders met Thursday afternoon outside City Hall to condemn recent attacks against Jewish residents amid Israeli-Palestinian violence in the Middle East.
Los Angeles Mayor Calls Attack on Diners ‘Anti-Semitic’ (NY Times)
May 12, 2021
Local officials and Jewish leaders in Los Angeles on Thursday condemned an attack against Jewish diners outside a sushi restaurant this week that the Los Angeles Police Department has said it was investigating as an anti-Semitic hate crime.
Repairing Jewish LA During the Pandemic (Jewish Journal)
December 12, 2020
This year has been devastating for the world and for the Jewish community of Los Angeles. COVID-19 closed summer camp, synagogues and businesses. It also left many Jewish families struggling to meet even their most basic needs.
Reimagining Chanukah for Young Adults During COVID (Jewish Journal)
December 12, 2020
Jewish Federation initiative NuRoots is making Hanukkah less lonely this year by providing virtual community experiences for young people in a COVID-friendly way.
Our Executive Staff’s Creative Sukkot (USA Today)
October 12, 2020
This year, the holidays are already looking different as many families prepare for a Halloween that lacks trick-or-treating and a Thanksgiving that doesn't have a large indoor gathering. However, there is one Jewish holiday that can be observed during a pandemic with surprisingly little adjustment.
Rosh Hashanah in 2020: Groups are blowing the shofar outside synagogue to mark Jewish New Year (USA Today)
September 12, 2020
This weekend, don’t be alarmed if you hear trumpeting in the streets. You could be witnessing the sound of a horn steeped in thousands of years of Jewish tradition. The shofar is coming outside for Rosh Hashanah this year.
How to Passover in quarantine: Everything you need to know about hosting a (virtual) seder (USA Today)
April 12, 2020
Although most U.S. states are under stay-at-home orders and people are encouraged to practice social distance measures, that doesn't preclude Jewish Americans from celebrating one of their most significant holidays of the year: Passover.
Reimagining Passover During the Pandemic (Mashable)
March 12, 2020
For the second year in a row, people celebrating Passover will find themselves with an addition to their seder tables: a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, used to connect with friends and family over a group video chat.
Lifetime Achievement Dinner Celebrating the Nazarian Family (Jewish Journal)
February 5, 2020
Two weeks ago, I attended an event alongside 800 fellow Jews, many of whom I knew personally to be either staunch Democrats or Republicans. After hearing various remarks and speeches, I was shocked: Not one person spoke a word of politics on stage all night.