PJ Library Family Camp
Our Federation is committed to instilling a love of Judaism in our next generations. That commitment starts early. In partnership with Shalom Institute, 29 families with children under eight connected for our 15th PJ Library Family Camp Retreat at Camp Ramah in Ojai. The immersive Shabbat experience was joyful from the moment it began. The group of welcoming, positive, flexible, and grateful families enjoyed delicious meals and meaningful programming. Campers and their families made pinch pots, seed bombs, and tiedyed clothing. They learned Israeli dancing, did yoga, challenged themselves on a ropes course, and so much more. Prancing deer and soaring birds filled campers with wonder on hikes through the camp’s beautiful hills. Parents also learned useful skills during an enlightening session with a parenting expert.
Interested in getting involved with PJ Library? Visit: JewishLA.org/PJLibrary.
True Colors
To honor Black History Month and our civic partners, our Federation connected community leaders from across Los Angeles for True Colors, a showcase of true stories written by Jews of Color and performed by professional actors at The Braid. The show delved into topics such as the yearning for belonging and the rich and complicated question of identity. The performance was followed by a guided community conversation. We were joined by leadership from our civic partners, our board members, staff, and community leaders for a heartfelt discussion around belonging, hope, and humanity. Through our civic engagement initiatives, we positively impact the community by partnering with organizations in Los Angeles working to address systemic and racial inequities, foster understanding, build bridges, and create a feeling of togetherness.
Learn more about the ways we show up for our community: JewishLA.org/CE.
Honeymoon Israel
We believe that having the opportunity to take in the wonder of Israel first-hand forges a vital connection with our Jewish homeland. We were thrilled to welcome 20 couples from across Greater L.A. on our most recent Honeymoon Israel trip. These couples enjoyed an immersive nine-day experience where they explored their bond to Jewish community, family, and history. Thanks to our Federation’s longstanding partnership with Honeymoon Israel, these couples paid a fraction of the cost they would have incurred had they taken this trip on their own. Our cohort was comprised of 16 multifaith couples and five couples that identified as part of the LGBTQ+ community; nearly half of the cohort included people of color. The couples visited the Temple Mount and danced at the Battae Ethiopian Cultural Center. They also enjoyed hearing from speakers Miri Eisin, who discussed the democratic challenges Israel currently faces, and Mahmoud Mouna, who offered a perspective on peace solutions from the point of view of a minority community in Israel.
To learn about future Honeymoon Israel trips: JewishLA.org/HoneymoonIsrael.