This has been a year of heartbreaking challenges and inspiring successes. As it comes to a close, I want to remind you of the lives we have impacted. And I want to say thank you, because we have done this together. Here are just a few examples of people whose lives you have touched:
The Federation’s Rautenberg New Leaders Project graduated its 2018 cohort on December 12th. 24 graduates and their families and friends gathered in Bradley Tower at City Hall for a celebration marking the completion of the yearlong program. Noah Berkowitz, NLP alum, spoke at the graduation to wish attendees good luck in the future and share some thoughts. Noah shared his remarks with us below.
Infinite Light 2018 was the fourth annual citywide celebration of Hanukkah miracles powered by NuRoots, the Federation’s innovative grassroots initiative engaging young adults in their 20s and 30s in reimagined, creative, and meaningful experiences. This year, over 3,000 young adults connected and experienced Infinite Light over the 10-day festival, which offered 40+ Hanukkah experiences in over 20 neighborhoods across L.A.
Powered by NuRoots, the Federation’s innovative grassroots initiative engaging young adults, Infinite Light 2018 was our fourth annual citywide celebration of Hanukkah miracles. Envisioned, designed, and curated by a blend of local organizations and community members, Infinite Light’s lineup of gatherings highlighted the unique energy of the holiday and reflected Los Angeles’ wildly diverse young adult community. NuRoots community member Tally Sumekh opened up about her Infinite Light experience Discover Your Light, a multi-sensory art installation and storytelling gathering; her go-to L.A. spots; and Hanukkah rituals.
Daniel Like, a junior at USC, participated in Onward Israel Los Angeles last summer with 35 other L.A.-based students. He shares his experience interning at the Marshal Blindness Center and living in Israel.
The Rautenberg New Leaders Project is a premier program of The Jewish Federation that has trained emerging Jewish civic leaders in Los Angeles for more than 25 years. Marisa Glucoft, current NLP participant, shares her experience in the program and about participating in a recent panel about housing in L.A.
Powered by NuRoots, the Federation’s innovative grassroots initiative engaging young adults, Infinite Light 2018 is the fourth annual citywide celebration of Hanukkah miracles. Envisioned, designed, and curated by a blend of local organizations and community members, Infinite Light’s lineup of gatherings highlights the unique energy of the holiday and reflects Los Angeles’ wildly diverse young adult community. NuRoots community members Miriam Wiener and Ethan Lipsitz opened up to us about their Infinite Light Vocal Cleanse experience in The Outernet, go-to L.A. spots, and Hanukkah traditions and rituals.
As we celebrate the miracle of light with friends and family this week, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the recent events that have impacted our community, far and wide.
The Jewish Federation’s Global Teen Twinning Program is the largest student delegation program in the Jewish world. Every year, 600 students in 6th-10th grades from 30 schools in Los Angeles, Tel Aviv, and Vilnius, Lithuania participate in this transformative program. Tamar Raff, Director of Judaic Studies at Valley Beth Shalom Harold M. Schulweis Day School, shares her experience from the 16th Joint Teachers Seminar in Greece and Bulgaria.
Our Federation is deeply committed to the safety, security, vibrancy, and strength of Jewish Los Angeles. While the past few weeks have tested us…
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President & CEO Jay Sanderson shares our Federation’s role in the aftermath of the recent tragedies, traumas, and crises in the Jewish community.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles is deeply committed to ensuring the safety, care, and well-being of our community and to supporting those…
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The local wildfires have destroyed or damaged many of our beloved Jewish institutions. Impacted organizations include Camp JCA Shalom, Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps (Camp Hess Kramer and Gindling Hilltop Camp), and Ilan Ramon Day School — and sadly, the danger is not over.
It’s been a tough few days. Unfortunately, I am writing to you amidst another crisis affecting our community. As you know, wildfires are raging across Los Angeles in the West San Fernando and Conejo Valleys. At this moment, numerous neighborhoods are under mandatory evacuation.
Tour de Summer Camps raises money to provide scholarships to send kids to Jewish summer camp, helping them build lifelong connections to Jewish identity and values. $7 million has been raised over six years, with the last accounting for $1.23 million.
Days have passed, and we are still reeling from the tragedy at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. This horrific attack has broken our hearts, and we must come together to heal with love, compassion, and community.
Our hearts are broken because of the human tragedy that occurred yesterday at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.
During my visit in Israel this past week, I spent countless hours in conversation with Israeli and North American leaders. We discussed how we can build a stronger connection between Diaspora Jews and Israelis. We talked about the challenge of strengthening the Jewish identities of all Jews here, in Israel, and around the world. We agreed that this is essential work. And that we need to do this work together.
The Jewish Federation’s Global Teen Twinning Program is the largest student delegation program in the Jewish world. Every year, 600 students in 6th-10th grades from 30 schools in Los Angeles, Tel Aviv, and Vilnius, Lithuania participate in this transformative program. Sabrina Brotons, Global Teen Twinning Coordinator and Assistant Director of Experiential Education at Congregation Ner Tamid of South Bay in California shares her experiences from the 16th Joint Teachers Seminar in Greece and Bulgaria.
As I write this e-mail, I am preparing to travel to Israel with many community leaders, including our incredible Chair Julie Platt, JFNA Outgoing Chair Richard Sandler, and several of my colleagues. We will join with hundreds of leaders and professionals from Jewish communities around the world as we attend The Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly (GA).
