From the CEO
Straight to the Point
“It’s December, so I want to get straight to the point. Our Federation has never made a greater impact on our community and in all of our lives. …”
- Jay Sanderson, President & CEO
Read MoreFrom the CEO
Straight to the Point
“It’s December, so I want to get straight to the point. Our Federation has never made a greater impact on our community and in all of our lives. …”
- Jay Sanderson, President & CEO

Highlights


Today’s Leaders Mentor Tomorrow’s Changemakers
Now more than ever, our city needs Jewish leaders. Our Federation convened more than 50 of Los Angeles’ most seasoned and dedicated Jewish community leaders at the home of Debi and Marc Graboff for CLI Mentor Night. As Co-Chair of CLI, Debi welcomed new and returning mentors to discuss how to provide support and guidance for the 70 CLI participants as they embark on their pursuits to become Jewish L.A.’s next generation of influencers and changemakers. Co- and Mentor Chairs Kevin Bernet, Nancy Epstein, Jacob Fenton, and Larry Jacobson led an engaging discussion about mentors’ important role in shaping a participant’s leadership journey.


LAJAC Provided Vital Cyber Security Training
Individuals with diverse abilities are among the most preyed upon in our community. The Jewish Federation hosted a Los Angeles Jewish Abilities Center (LAJAC) Cyber Security Workshop in partnership with Yachad Los Angeles. Led by an LAPD officer, adults with diverse abilities learned how to navigate cyberspace and add to their knowledge as savvy digital citizens. The class covered the best tips and practices when using social media and managing phone calls from fraudsters claiming to be from the IRS or Social Security. “Thieves are sophisticated; anyone can be tricked,” Officer James Lavenson told the crowd. “Scammers use technology and common information to sound legitimate.” The officer also covered topics like personal safety, vaping, and identity fraud. The class was one in a series to educate and empower individuals with special needs to make informed decisions. The Federation’s Los Angeles Jewish Abilities Center is a central resource for Jewish individuals of diverse abilities and their families to access services through case management and workshops.


NuRoots’ Jewish Twist on Giving Thanks
In the thanksgiving season, NuRoots reminds us that Jewish tradition teaches us the importance of beginning each day with gratitude. The modeh ani prayer, traditionally said upon waking up in the morning, expresses gratefulness for the ability to wake up every morning. Nearly 30 community members joined NuRoots on Post-Undergratitude, a workshop to get in the Thanksgiving spirit, connect with friends new and old, dive deep into conversation and exercises around practicing gratitude, and indulge in delicious bites from Café Gratitude. The workshop was facilitated by Asal Azizoddin, founder of GratitudeGrams, who shared her story and journey of her work with cancer patients. Asal created a space dedicated to focusing on gratitude, within ourselves and with one another, in joyful and challenging circumstances — and encouraged us to pause for small moments of gratitude every day. Guests came away inspired — one remarked, “I haven’t taken time to be grateful in a while — this is just what I needed.” Another shared, “This was my first NuRoots event and it was really amazing, deep, and inspiring for a Monday night.”


Guidance Through Teen Trauma
Many parents seek ways to assist their teens in the face of trauma. In November, Harvard- and UCLA-trained clinical psychologist Dr. Bonnie Goldstein shared tools and wisdom for responding to life’s challenges with a greater sense of stability. Parents relayed that they walked away from the workshop equipped with great information, a sense of validation, and comfort. Reducing stress for our community is central to the Los Angeles Jewish Teen Initiative (LAJTI), and our Focus on Teen Wellness is full steam ahead planning our January Parent Workshop on Teens and Technology.


Solutions Toward L.A.’s Housing Crisis
Homelessness and housing are increasing problems in our city. Members of the community attended our Solving L.A.’s Housing Crisis workshop for L.A.’s Jewish developers in collaboration with Rabbi Stern, Sandy Sigal, and our Federation’s Real Estate & Construction (REC) Network. There was great feedback about the event, which served as a productive look at the roadmap ahead for housing in our region. We all need to take responsibility to help create housing solutions for our city, but convening experts to collaborate on solutions was a tremendous step.


Finance & Business Professionals
Network Returns!
On December 3, 2019, the Federation relaunched our Finance & Business Professionals Network with an event honoring Allison and Bennett Rosenthal at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. More than 400 industry professionals attended an inspiring evening of connection that raised $1.2 million. Thanks to the generous sponsors — including City National Bank, who also serves as a presenting sponsor of all of our professional networks — and our committed donors who made the night a success.
The Rosenthals are active and enthusiastic advocates of the Federation’s work. As part of Allison’s community involvement, she is a member of the Federation’s Board of Directors and serves as Committee Chair of our Federation’s NuRoots. A prominent businessman and community leader, Bennett is a co-founder of Ares Management Corporation and co-managing owner of the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC).
Generously named by the Rosenthals and opening in 2020, The BAR Center at the Beach will be an intergenerational activity center on the Venice boardwalk that engages young adults, families and seniors in Federation programs to help ensure a vibrant Jewish future.


We Brought the Light of Chanukah to City Hall
Each year, The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles joins with the City of Los Angeles to bring the light of the season to City Hall for a special Chanukah celebration with community leaders. Federation President & CEO Jay Sanderson led the candle-lighting ceremony at this year’s event, which included Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Rabbi Amy Bernstein, President of the Board of Rabbis. Alumni of our Rautenberg New Leaders Project, including LAUSD Board Vice President Nick Melvoin, also joined in the ceremony. The celebration was held in partnership with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti; City Attorney Mike Feuer; City Controller Ron Galperin; City Councilmembers Bob Blumenfield, Paul Koretz, Paul Krekorian, and David Ryu; Jewish Family Service; ADL; and AJC.
From our Federation family to yours, we hope you all have a wonderful Chanukah. Chag Sameach!


Rachel Bloom Shines on Jay’s 4 Questions
Superstar Rachel Blooms sits down for a riveting conversation on Jay’s 4 Questions! The multi-talented actress, singer, writer, and comedian talks to Jay about growing up Jewish in Manhattan Beach, her early influences and rise from YouTube viral star to Golden Globe award-winning actress, and her deep connection to Yiddish theater and culture.
Rachel and Jay also address how she is preparing to raise a Jewish child and the power of being vulnerable when dealing with issues of mental health. Tune in to find out whether she prefers rugelach or babka — and why kugel is one of her favorite foods!


From The CEO: Straight to the Point
It’s December, so I want to get straight to the point.
Our Federation has never made a greater impact on our community and in all of our lives.
Our response to the devastating wildfires was immediate and decisive. Our work inspiring and engaging thousands of young people and young families is forever changing our Jewish community. Our trauma and resiliency work in Israel is lifesaving. Our Community Security Initiative protects our schools, synagogues, and institutions and helps everyone in our community feel safer and more secure.
There is more, but we can’t accomplish any of this without you.
It’s December, and we are asking you to join us in this essential work.
Please make a gift — and if you have already made your gift, consider an increase.
Our challenges are great and our work has never been more important.
Thank you.
Jay Sanderson
President & CEO