U.S. halts UNESCO funding over Palestinian vote

Published on October 31, 2011

The United States said on Monday it had stopped funding UNESCO, the U.N. cultural agency, following its vote to grant the Palestinians full membership.

Brandeis Hillel again rejects membership bid by Jewish Voice for Peace

Published on March 30, 2011

The Brandeis University Hillel has rejected a second membership bid by the controversial Jewish student group Jewish Voice for Peace. Some 1,000 Brandeis students, nearly a third of the student body at the suburban Boston university, signed a petition circulated by JVP asking the Brandeis Hillel to reconsider its decision earlier this month not to admit JVP as a partner organization.

Where to find cheap high holy day tickets [VIDEO]

By Jay Firestone
Published on September 4, 2009

Economy forces tough dues decisions for congregants, synagogues.

By Anita K. Kantrowitz
Published on September 2, 2009

With Rosh Hashanah 5770 fast approaching, the synagogue membership renewal season is in full swing. Throughout the summer months, billing statements with letters explaining dues, fees — and often increases — arrive in congregants’ mailboxes.

Arnold stops at Jewish Home for Aging; Cal GOP says ad campaign worked; North Valley JCC shooting la

Published on November 9, 2006

Even when the gubernatorial election was just two days away, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger found time to talk to a large group of senior citizens at the Jewish Home for the Aging in Reseda.

Acts of Faith - Farewell Service

By Amy Klein
Published on September 8, 2005

After World War II, two Jewish GIs returned to Los Angeles and founded a synagogue in Westchester. Beth Tikvah, as it was called, finally found a permanent home in 1959 on the Westchester bluffs.

But last month, the Conservative congregation -- known since 1968 as B'nai Tikvah after merging with the nearby B'nai Israel in Baldwin Hills -- held its last service at the historic Westchester building, with its 204-seat sanctuary. On Aug. 20, about 100 people showed up for a final Havdalah service to say goodbye.

Because of dwindling membership and a lack of Jewish families in the area, the congregation decided to sell the property and look for a new location on the Westside.

Synagogue Perks Entice Unaffiliated

By Gaby Wenig
Published on August 26, 2004

What does $1,000 buy you these days in Jewish life?

Maybe, if you're lucky, a full-year family synagogue membership. But what exactly does that mean? Two tickets to High Holiday services? Free parking? Entree to Kiddushes?

At a time when families have limited time and money and so much competing for it, synagogue leaders are realizing the need to offer more to potential and existing congregant.

Passing the Torch

By Michael Aushenker
Published on January 30, 2003

Longtime "1939" Club member William Elperin didn't know what he was getting himself into when he became the leader of the Holocaust
survivors' organization.

Jews Say Bonjour to Club Lampadaire

By Gaby Wenig
Published on November 28, 2002

In between the prayers at the Pinto Shul in the Pico-Robertson area, people who only speak English might feel a little lost.

Hollywood Legend Turns 75

By Julie G Fax
Published on May 31, 2001

Like most legends in Hollywood, Temple Israel of Hollywood has undergone a few makeovers to stay fresh since it was founded in 1926. Maybe that's why even as it celebrates its 75th anniversary, the Reform synagogue is even more bustling than it was in its heyday when it was billed as "Filmland's House of Worship."

No Kidding

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on September 21, 2000

On the evening of Sept. 29, the line will start early at The Laugh Factory on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. About 500 people will wait patiently to jam every available space in the showroom or crowd around TV monitors upstairs.
If you think they're expecting Seinfeld, think again.

Congregational Directory

Published on September 21, 2000

The listings below are for Jewish congregations within the geographic area of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. Congregations in areas adjacent to Los Angeles Federation can be found by calling neighboring federations:

Reaching Out

By Adam Wills
Published on September 21, 2000

Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein is talking about kabbalistic teachings with such passion that he pitches forward in his chair, but just as quickly settles back. His arms are a flurry of activity, and he continuously grabs the black kippah that keeps threatening to slip from his head.

Voluntary Dues

By Julie Wiener
Published on September 14, 2000

Four years ago the Reform temple did something that is standard marketing in the for-profit world, but unusual for a Jewish organization: It offered one-year trial memberships.

Redefining the Synagogue

By Julie Wiener
Published on September 14, 2000

When it's not summer, the congregation has twice as many people every Shabbat, forcing it to rent space at a nearby church and offer two separate Friday night services.

How the field guide was compiled

Published on September 7, 2000

The Journal contacted about 80 synagogues and other organizations that conduct High Holy Days services, from across the spectrum of religious observance.

Machzorim (prayerbooks)

Published on September 7, 2000

Machzorim (prayerbooks)

Unaffiliated? How to find the right synagogue for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

By Ellen Jaffe-Gill
Published on September 7, 2000

Every fall, hundreds of Jews who don't belong to synagogues fan out across greater Los Angeles for a once-a-year dip into Jewish worship, buying tickets or wangling free seats at services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Some are motivated by parents, others tag along with friends; some have babies or preschoolers and are thinking about where they might want to affiliate when the kids are a little bigger, while others are beginning to feel the first stirrings of a spiritual search.

Ticket prices

Published on September 7, 2000

Ticket prices

Congregational Directory

Published on September 7, 2000

The listings below are for Jewish congregations within the geographic area of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. Congregations in areas adjacent to Los Angeles Federation can be found by calling neighboring federations:

JDate Parties Offline

By Michael Aushenker
Published on August 24, 2000

Midway through JDate's first annual Tu B'Av get-together, Nurit Ze'evi, product manager of the Internet-based Jewish dating service, halted the music and Israeli folk dancing taking place. With marked enthusiasm, she turned to the audience of 50 and began to expound on the significance of Tu B'Av - an obscure, forgotten love holiday created 4,000 years ago, when women, dressed in white, arrived to choose male suitors. Looking around the room rented from Congregation Mogen David, I gathered that the lecture might have been a waste of breath - judging from the median age of the partiers, they undoubtedly remem-ber the days when the ceremony was new.

Why Synagogues Are Going Broke

By Wendy J. Madnick
Published on June 8, 2000

Unemployment hit a 30-year low in April and the economy is, if not booming, at least bouncing. So why is it that so many synagogues, even in wealthy areas, are struggling? Perhaps it is because members fail to understand that dues only go so far, according to Sylvia Moskovitz, executive director at Temple Aliyah in Woodland Hills.