Philanthropist donates $250,000 to Mount Zion cemetery repair

Published on May 31, 2013

Shlomo Rechnitz, a Los Angeles businessman and philanthropist, has donated $250,000 to restore the badly vandalized Mount Zion Cemetery in East Los Angeles

Immigration reform: no longer so controversial, but not inevitable either

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on April 25, 2013

Great Neck Synagogue Cancels Pamela Geller’s Talk

By Orit Arfa
Published on April 10, 2013

‘Six Million Coins’ pays it forward

Published on April 10, 2013

Ori Rabinovitch, a fourth-grader at Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy, remembers how he recently met an 85-year-old Holocaust survivor who could barely hear him — and who could not afford to buy a hearing device.

Slavin Library to close

Published on March 20, 2013

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles announced plans on March 14 to close the Slavin Children’s Library, which is located in the lobby of its Wilshire Boulevard building, to make room for an expansion of the Zimmer Children’s Museum. The space will become the new Slavin’s Children’s Center.

Why is this Trip Different than All Other Trips?

By Beit T'shuvah
Published on March 18, 2013

Building a better philanthropist

Published on March 7, 2013

In the last couple of decades, a tectonic shift has altered the landscape of Jewish philanthropy. The phenomenon is not only Jewish — the number of foundations in the United States has grown fivefold in the last 20 years; the same growth in donor-advised funds has taken just a decade.

Changing the Jewish world, one Jewish social entrepreneur at a time

By PresenTenseLA
Published on February 28, 2013

Birthright Israel: Upcoming L.A. LGBT and Ally Trip!

By Lia Mandelbaum
Published on February 17, 2013

Super Sunday’s fundraising and activism

By Ryan Torok
Published on February 13, 2013

More than 450 people took part in fundraising and community service activities Feb. 10 as part of Super Sunday, during which The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and the Jewish Federation Valley Alliance raised $1,942,736 as part of its annual fundraising campaign.

Federation re-evaluating Board of Rabbis

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on January 2, 2013

When Rabbi Mark Diamond was honored for his 12 years of service to the Board of Rabbis of Southern California during a farewell lunch a few weeks ago, colleagues from synagogues from across the city and spanning denominations hugged and chatted, catching up on everything, both personal and professional. “One of the strengths of the Board of Rabbis is that people know each other,” said Rabbi Denise L. Eger, immediate past president of the region’s only cross-denominational rabbinic professional organization and spiritual leader of Congregation Kol Ami in West Hollywood.

Hurricane Sandy: How you can help

By JewishJournal
Published on October 30, 2012

“As you all are aware, Hurricane Sandy, a storm of unprecedented magnitude, struck the Eastern portion of the United States. Seeing the response of communities across the region to the devastating storm, we are awed by the strength of the American people.

Pool trusts ensure care of adults with special needs

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on August 22, 2012

“Keys! Keys!” David Weisbord says as he tugs at his father’s hand, pulling him toward the door.

Federation offers $2 million for educational programs

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on August 15, 2012

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles has some money to give away for programs targeting Jewish youth. Federation has put out a request for proposals for formal and informal Jewish educational programs based on four age groups it has identified as needing the most attention: birth to preschool, preschool to first grade, the years surrounding bar and bat mitzvah, and the later teen years leading into college.

‘We are Israelis saying that we have come of age’

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on July 6, 2012

Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on June 25, 2012

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles barred anti-Muslim activist Pamela Geller from delivering a previously scheduled speech at its Wilshire Boulevard headquarters on June 24.

Anti-Muslim activist Pamela Geller barred from speaking at L.A. Jewish Federation building

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on June 24, 2012

Michael Siegal nominated to head Jewish federations

Published on May 15, 2012

Michael Siegal of Cleveland has been nominated to chair the board of trustees of the Jewish Federations of North America.

Security group asks U.S. Jewish groups to be on alert

Published on March 19, 2012

The security arm of the U.S. Jewish federations asked Jewish officials to remain vigilant in the wake of a deadly attack on a French Jewish school, citing the possibility of copycat attacks.

Hundreds of volunteers help Federation kick off ‘Super Week’

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on February 15, 2012

On Feb. 12, more than 700 volunteers convened at sites from Manhattan Beach to the Conejo Valley for a day of community service projects and fundraising to support The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.

Dan Rather is a major gift to the Jewish Federation

By Lauren Bottner
Published on November 24, 2011

Declaring a place to call home

By Lauren Bottner
Published on October 25, 2011

Netanyahu cancels GA appearance

Published on October 24, 2011

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled plans to address the Jewish federations' annual General Assembly.

Stepping out of my comfort zone onto Israeli soil

By Lauren Bottner
Published on October 24, 2011

Los Angeles Gathering Scheduled for Gilad Shalit Release

Published on October 16, 2011

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, the Israeli Consulate and the Israeli Leadership Council announced Sunday that they are jointly organizing a community program for Tuesday, Oct. 18, to allow the community to come together to watch and commemorate the release of Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier who has been held captive by Hamas since 2006.

Iowa Jewish Federation pulls out of 9/11 event over flag

Published on September 14, 2011

A Jewish organization in Iowa pulled out of a multifaith prayer service commemorating the 9/11 attacks because the event did not display an American flag.

Federation centennial spawns 100 home Shabbats

By Lauren Bottner
Published on August 31, 2011

As part of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles’ yearlong centennial anniversary, 100 community members were asked to host a Shabbat dinner for a Night of 100 Shabbat Celebrations. To date, 550 hosts have registered with Federation to participate in the Sept. 9 event; they can follow any customs for their celebration and invite anyone they choose. Dinners can be intimate gatherings or large parties; hosts are responsible for providing the food and the location.

New federation CEOs experimenting with funding models

Published on July 13, 2011

A generational changing of the guard throughout North America’s largest Jewish charitable network is opening the door to new chief executives increasingly open to experimenting with changes to the century-old funding model favored by local federations.

‘LaunchBox’ is Next Big Jewish Idea winner

By Lauren Bottner
Published on July 5, 2011

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles announced Batsheva Frankel’s “LaunchBox” as the winner of the Next Big Jewish Idea (NBJI) competition on July 6. Scott Minkow, Federation Vice President of Partnerships & Innovation, delivered the news to Frankel by removing one of his “I have the Next Big Jewish Idea” pins that have been circulating in the community for months and pinned her, saying, “I have to take this off because you are the one who has the next big Jewish idea.” Frankel told The Jewish Journal she was “over the moon and felt like I won the lottery.” Her idea initially was called JEWWW in a Box.

With the over-abundance of Synagogues in O.C., I had to pick this one!

By Julia Bendis
Published on June 4, 2011

Letters to the Editor: Anti-semitism, Israel Independence Day, Barack Obama, bin Laden

Published on June 1, 2011

Danielle Berrin did the Jewish community a great service by showing why Lars von Trier should be singled out as the lone exception from a rogue’s gallery of anti-Semites, including Mel Gibson, Oliver Stone, John Galliano and Charlie Sheen (“Not Mel Gibson,” May 27). Both Berrin and Marvin Hier went beyond reactionary, black-and-white thinking to express their sense that it was ghosts in von Trier’s soul that had him behave in such a peculiar way at Cannes, and again as he sought there and in The New York Times to cajole his ghosts back into his tormented psyche. At least von Trier is struggling with his ghosts while the others have surrendered to them. Surrendering is the reason for anti-Semitism and all the other -isms that emerge from like minds.

Train Rocks the Jews [VIDEO]

By Rob Eshman
Published on May 26, 2011

Can L.A. support an Israel Festival?

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on May 17, 2011

This year, for the first time in decades, Israel Independence Day came and went without a major public celebration in Los Angeles, and local Jewish leaders are vowing that won’t happen again. “We are completely committed to having a communitywide celebration for Israel’s Independence Day,” said Jay Sanderson, president and CEO of The Jewish Federation of Greater of Los Angeles. “We need to create something that is really a community event, something people X off on their calendars and look forward to and talk about afterward.”

Israeli community launches its own Jewish Federation

Published on May 17, 2011

A community in central Israel has founded a philanthropic foundation based on the Jewish Federation model. The community of Ramat Hasharon will launch its Takdim –The Ramat Hasharon Community Foundation later this month. Takdim is Hebrew for precedent.

Top 10 Not-So-Big Jewish Ideas

By Lauren Bottner
Published on May 4, 2011

Letters to the Editor: Jay Sanderson’s first year, David Suissa

Published on April 5, 2011

As the chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, I obviously read with great interest the recent article about Jay Sanderson written by Julie Gruenbaum Fax in the April 1 edition of The Jewish Journal (“Jay Sanderson Pushes for Change”). Jay Sanderson has been working tirelessly for this community to accomplish the goals set for him by our board when he was hired as the chief executive officer. It is a daunting task to make significant changes in an organization that has existed for 100 years. Jay has proven, over the past 14 months, that he has the talent, the knowledge and the commitment to be successful in this endeavor.

UC Irvine students met with Hamas leader

Published on March 31, 2011

Students from the University of California, Irvine met with a Hamas leader during a student trip to Israel.

Anonymous donor leaves $1.5 million to Jewish Federation

Published on January 5, 2011

The anonymous woman who left $1.5 million to organizations affiliated with the Jewish Federation wasn’t someone leaders of the organization knew — in fact, she was someone few people knew well at all.

Email OCD and other social media overload!

By Julia Bendis
Published on December 20, 2010

Federation’s GA offering big name but reaching out to young

Published on November 1, 2010

The Jewish federation system is set to kick off its annual General Assembly in New Orleans with an eye toward figuring out how to reach those not typically associated with Jewish federations.

Russian Jewish leader urges textbook pulled

Published on September 20, 2010

A Russian Jewish leader urged the head of Moscow State University to take steps to drop a history textbook considered by many to be anti-Semitic.

JFNA, JAFI, JDC agree to continue cooperating

Published on May 20, 2010

The Jewish Federations of North America and its two overseas partners have agreed to continue working together to try to raise more money for overseas needs and to find a better way to split what they raise.

Young Philanthropists Host Haiti Fundraiser

By Melanie Reynard
Published on March 16, 2010

Los Angeles residents Alexis Alagem, 25, and Jackie Winnick, 27, pulled together the support of their social networks at a private back lounge of Bar 210/Plush in Beverly Hills the night of March 12, as a fundraiser for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee’s (JDC) relief program in Haiti.

Financial tsunami shakes Jewish Community Foundation

By Brad A. Greenberg
Published on December 24, 2008

" . . . It's a convergence of factors all at once: The government is unraveling, the economy is hurting our supporters and now you have not only the decline on Wall Street but also this fraud. It's a perfect storm . . ."

Jewish Community Foundation announces $1.6 million in grants to ‘Cutting Edge’ orgs

By Brad A. Greenberg
Published on August 12, 2008

The largest recipients of the Jewish Community Foundation's (JCF) Cutting Edge Grants, announced this week and totaling $1.6 million, were three programs promoting Jewish identity and connection with Israel through art, music and community leadership

Judge declares mistrial in Seattle Jewish Federation shooting case

Published on June 6, 2008

A judge declared a mistrial in the case of the gunman who shot up the offices of this city's Jewish federation. The King County prosecutor vowed to retry Naveed Haq, 32, who claimed he was not guilty by reason of insanity.

Rags for richies, LOL

By Danielle Berrin
Published on November 15, 2007

People and places around Los Angeles briefs.

Briefs: New chairman at Jewish Federation, AskMusa reaches out to Muslims

Published on September 20, 2007

Community Briefs

Milken JCC bustling despite pool uncertainty

By Jane Ulman
Published on September 13, 2007

It's a typical bustling weekday at this Jewish center in West Hills, and it's a sharp contrast to the situation only a few months ago when the center was facing a deficit of $250,000, an uncertain future and a loss of nearly one-third of its members, following the abrupt closure of the pool on April 25 by The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.

Nice helpers, ADL Achievers and Young Leaders

By Danielle Berrin
Published on July 5, 2007

Circuit.

Craig Prizant, philanthropreneurship and evangelicals

Published on March 15, 2007

Letters to the Editor

Super Sunday volunteers hope to ring up big bucks

By Marc Ballon
Published on February 1, 2007

Barbara “Bobbi” Asimow, Former Jewish Federation Women’s Campaign Director, 63

Published on August 31, 2006

Obituaries

L.A. Visit Excites Shoah Survivors

By Karin Kloosterman
Published on April 28, 2005

For Israeli Shifra Fyne, 83, this week’s journey to Los Angeles will be her first time leaving Israel in 56 years, and her first trip ever on an airplane.
Yehuda Goldstein is making the same trip. He hopes to reconnect with John Gordon, an L.A. resident he met last year in Israel. They think they grew up in the same pre-World War II neighborhood in Budapest.

The Nation and The World

By Kelly Hartog
Published on April 28, 2005

The Nation and The World.

The Shame of Famine Is in Not Ending It

By H. Eric Schockman
Published on December 16, 2004

This is a unique moment in history, when God has given us the means to dramatically reduce hunger and poverty.

The pangs of hunger can be

so painful and physiologically destructive, especially for children. Yet hunger also produces a more intangible pang -- that of stigma and shame.

Federation Faces Underfunded Pension

By Marc Ballon
Published on July 29, 2004

Faced with a pension shortfall of $20 million, the organized Jewish community's largest philanthropy finds itself forced to divert millions of donor dollars to employee retirement benefits, rather than to needed social services.

Central Coast Home to Holocaust Exhibit

By David Finnigan
Published on November 13, 2003

In a watershed event for the California central coast's small Jewish community, the Santa Barbara Jewish Federation marked the 65th anniversary of Kristallnacht by opening the city's first permanent Holocaust exhibit.

The opening shows just how far this small Jewish community has come.

Pain in the Pocketbook

By Rachel Pomerance
Published on August 22, 2002

Shortly after September 11, when the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles (JFGLA) renewed its insurance policy, it found that rates nearly doubled.

This year, it will be even worse, according to Jack Klein, the Federation's executive vice president and chief operating officer.

‘United We Flourish’

By Andrea Adelson
Published on August 1, 2002

Putting his own twist on a frequently invoked slogan, Lou Weiss, the newly elected president of Orange County's Jewish Federation, intends to make inclusiveness a priority during his tenure