On Friday, August 15th, The Jewish Federation Valley Alliance, together with Shalom Institute, West Valley Rabbinic Task Force, and 14 other Valley synagogues and institutions*, once again welcomed the Los Angeles Valley Jewish community to the third annual Shabbat in the Park.
Over 900 members of Jewish organizations across all denominations came together in celebration of what has become one a most cherished annual traditions at Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills. This multi-generational Shabbat celebration offered something for everyone, beginning with arts and crafts projects and other activities for all ages while families picnicked on the grounds. Toddlers made crafts with PJ Library, and enjoyed the drum circle, while older children peddled grapes into “wine” with Shalom Institute’s famed “bike blender.” Older participants wrote letters to Lone Soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces and participated in brief Torah Talks with participating rabbis. After the candle lighting, the event segued into an interactive Shabbat evening service led by community clergy, and finally culminated in a lively concert with Sol Tevél featuring Lior Ben-Hur.
“Shabbat in the Park demonstrated once again the impactful community building work that The Jewish Federation Valley Alliance does together with our community partners. I’m proud to be part of this incredible organization, and I’m looking forward to expanding the work that we do to build and sustain the Valley Jewish communities in the coming months,” said Rochelle Cohen, Chair, The Jewish Federation Valley Alliance.
“The success of the event was due in part to the strong collaboration that has been developed over the years among many Valley synagogues and the Federation’s Valley Alliance through our participation in the West Valley Rabbinic Task Force, established to strengthen relationships among the rabbis, synagogues and Jewish institutions and develop meaningful programs that deepen Jewish living,” says Rabbi Jon Hanish, Chair of the West Valley Rabbinic Task Force.
For more information on Shabbat in the Park or the West Valley Rabbinic Task Force, please contact Federation Executive Vice President Carol Koransky at (818) 668-2330.
*Participating synagogues and organizations: Adat Ari El, Temple Adat Elohim, Temple Aliyah, Temple Beth Hillel, Israeli-American Council, The Jewish Federation Valley Alliance, Temple Judea, Temple Kol Tikvah, MATI-Israeli Community Center, Congregation Or Ami, Temple Ramat Zion, Shalom Institute, Congregation Shir Ami, Shomrei Torah Synagogue, Valley Beth Shalom, Valley Outreach Synagogue and West Valley Rabbinic Task Force.
