Last night, Valley Beth Shalom in Encino was filled to capacity with nearly 1,000 members of our community joining together in solidarity for our Jewish homeland at Shoulder to Shoulder: A Community Gathering in Support of the People of Israel.
The event was held in partnership with Jewish Federation Los Angeles, Valley Beth Shalom and the West Valley Rabbinic Task Force. We are all deeply connected to Israel and many of us wanted to show our support, love and concern for our brothers and sisters during this incredibly difficult time. Together, we expressed our solidarity with prayers, songs and reflections from community leaders.
Federation’s Executive Vice President Carol Koransky and Rabbi Noah Farkas of Valley Beth Shalom welcomed the attendees and kicked off the program. We were inspired by the impassioned remarks of Consul General David Siegel, Valley Beth Shalom’s Senior Rabbi Ed Feinstein, Rabbi Stewart Vogel of Temple Aliyah, Rabbi Paul Kipnes of Congregation Or Ami, Rabbi Deborah Silver of Adat Ari El and Rabbi Joshua Aaronson of Temple Judea.
Attendees watched a special video of Federation Chairman of the Board Les Bider and President & CEO Jay Sanderson, who were on a national solidarity mission in Israel. They shared how we are providing relief and respite to those in harm’s way. Take a moment and watch it:
In addition to the program, everyone in attendance was urged to take an action. In the hallway next to the sanctuary, attendees wrote letters to Lone Soldiers in Israel, wrote condolence messages to the family of Max Steinberg, learned how to get help for loved ones affected by the crisis, and made donations to our Federation’s Israel Terror Relief Fund.
Please click here to make an online donation to The Jewish Federation’s Israel Terror Relief Fund. You can also make a donation by calling (323) 761-8413, or by mail:
The Jewish Federation – Israel Terror Relief Fund
6505 Wilshire Boulevard, Ste. 1000
Los Angeles, CA 90048
100% of all collected donations will be distributed to our network of partners and our Federation will absorb all administrative costs.
Shoulder to Shoulder was a wonderful opportunity to connect with others in our community who share a unified, steadfast support and compassion for Israel. We thank everyone who attended and made the event so meaningful at this difficult time.
We also want to acknowledge and thank all participants in the program: Cantor Herschel Fox, Valley Beth Shalom; Rabbi Ron Li-Paz, Valley Outreach Synagogue; Rabbi Richard Camras, Shomrei Torah Synagogue; Cantor Shira Fox, Kol Tikvah; Cantor Mike Stein, Temple Aliyah; Cantor Mark Britowich, Temple Judea; Rabbi Gabe Botnick, Temple Aliyah; Rabbi Jonathan Bubis, Shomrei Torah Synagogue; Cantor Doug Cotler, Congregation Or Ami; Cantor Judy Dubin Aronoff, Adat Ari El Synagogue; Rabbi Rebecca Dubowe, Temple Adat Elohim; Rabbi and Cantor Mark Goodman, Valley Beth Israel; Choir Director Chris Hardin, Valley Beth Shalom; Rabbi Ron Stern, Stephen S. Wise Temple; and Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, Stephen S. Wise Temple.
