Ryan E. Smith

Shul counseling center costs little, does much for many

Published on May 15, 2012

Even a rabbi needs a little help sometimes, which is why Rabbi Harold Schulweis of Valley Beth Shalom (VBS) was inspired decades ago to promote the creation of a counseling center run by temple volunteers.

11-year-old is focusing on the (re)Cycle of life

Published on March 21, 2012

When Avery Sax discovered a year ago that she has a life-threatening malformation of blood vessels in her brain, it altered her life — in one way, for the better.

Shul Business

Published on March 15, 2012

No one taught Rabbi Ahud Sela how to read a budget when he was in the seminary. Talmud and pastoral counseling took precedence over the basics of planned giving.

Mega-millionaire, Age 95,  Says, ‘You Can Do It!’

Published on March 15, 2012

Mega-millionaire Stanley A. Dashew, 95, has some words of wisdom for anyone trying to make it in today's tough economy: You can do it. It's no secret, he says. In fact, it's the title of the book, "You Can Do It!: Inspiration & Lessons From an Inventor, Entrepreneur, & Sailor," written with Josef S. Klus.

Online program aids learning for Jewish special-needs kids

Published on March 8, 2012

Daniel Ozer-Ross studies hard. He does his homework. And it’s not enough.

Seniors angry over plans to close JCC

Published on February 8, 2012

There was no question how Zita Kass felt when she learned that The JCC at Milken in West Hills will shut its doors permanently this summer. Her reaction was swift and powerful: “Anger, fury, frustration,” the 76-year-old Woodland Hills resident said.

Beyond labels, raising autistic son yields treasure

Published on February 1, 2012

Jews and people with autism have a lot in common, if you ask Ezra Fields-Meyer. As an autistic young man, he knows he has a good memory and likes to repeat things. As a Jew, he’s noticed similar qualities, which he pointed out during his bar mitzvah speech a few years ago.

Happy wallet, happy camper

Published on January 26, 2012

The economy is bad. Money is tight. And yet the news isn’t all negative for youngsters hoping to attend Jewish summer camp this year. “The truth of the matter is, most of the summer camps have increased their financial aid,” said Jay Sanderson, president of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. “We’ve increased financial aid. So a lot of the challenges of the economy so far have been mitigated. We invest close to $1 million in summer camps.”

Latching on to a healthy solution

Published on January 5, 2012

As a third-year pediatric resident at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles who works an average of 80 hours per week, Dr. Jonathan Goldfinger could use a break, you would think. Too bad there’s so much else that needs to be done — fighting obesity, lowering the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and reducing the rate of infection for babies, for example.

Reagan’s chanukiyot light up exhibition

Published on December 14, 2011

Reminders of an evil empire are on display now at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, and they’re not just related to the Soviet Union.

New Chabad center brightens up Palisades

Published on November 22, 2011

Members of the Chabad-Lubavitch Orthodox movement may be known for their traditional black and white clothing, but they’ve brought a splash of color to Pacific Palisades with the new Chabad Jewish Community Center there and its Palisades Jewish Early Childhood Center.

Chanukah: The musical

Published on November 18, 2011

There are many ways to tell the story of Chanukah. Tap dancing is not usually one of them.

Beyond matzah and couscous

Published on November 17, 2011

Ataste of Israel is no farther away than your local grocery store — and not just in the kosher aisle.

Making it easier for LGBT Jewish kids to be open, honest

Published on November 1, 2011

Someday, maybe every gay Jewish youth will have as easy a time coming out as Elias Rubin did.

Nazis in the canyon

Published on October 21, 2011

Go past Whoopi Goldberg’s house in Pacific Palisades, veer left at Bill Cosby’s, then curve your way around Steven Spielberg’s compound.

If you seat them, they will come

Published on September 27, 2011

Twice a year, many synagogues find themselves dealing with a wonderful but very practical problem: how to handle the huge numbers of people who show up for the High Holy Days and don’t fit in the sanctuary.

Acting rabbi brings rebirth to 1920s shul

Published on September 27, 2011

For more than 35 years, Temple Beth Israel of Highland Park and Eagle Rock existed without a rabbi. No longer.

Natan Sharansky speaks out on Palestinian statehood bid during L.A. visit

Published on September 21, 2011

No one knows exactly how things will play out as Palestinian leaders make a bid for statehood at the United Nations, but Natan Sharansky, chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, believes the impact will be more rhetorical than practical and that it represents no threat to Israel.

Turning 100: Los Angeles Jewish Home has ambitious growth plans

Published on September 14, 2011

There are nearly 500 people waiting for a bed at L.A.’s largest senior living facility, the Los Angeles Jewish Home. Waiting, in many cases, for someone to die.

Pasadena temple gets Argentina’s first woman cantor

Published on September 14, 2011

Cantor Ruth Berman Harris has been earning paychecks for leading services since she was 15, years before a cantorial school even existed in her native Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Jewish Agency chairman discusses Palestinian statehood bid

Published on September 13, 2011