North American immigrants lead in Israel’s nonprofit sector

Published on March 21, 2011

When David Portowicz was a new immigrant to Israel from Brooklyn in the 1970s, he began research on poverty in Jaffa that would lead to his life’s work: the creation of a nonprofit organization that now serves thousands of disadvantaged children and their families. A doctoral student in social work at the time, the small NGO he co-founded in 1982, the Jaffa Institute, today is a veritable force of nature with 35 programs and an annual operating budget of $6 million. The institute runs afterschool activity centers to help keep kids off the streets, offers university scholarships for 170 graduates of Jaffa programs, has shelters for runaways and even provides music lessons.

North American immigrants lead in Israel’s nonprofit sector

Published on March 18, 2011

When David Portowicz was a new immigrant to Israel from Brooklyn in the 1970s, he began research on poverty in Jaffa that would lead to his life’s work: the creation of a nonprofit organization that now serves thousands of disadvantaged children and their families. A doctoral student in social work at the time, the small NGO he co-founded in 1982, the Jaffa Institute, today is a veritable force of nature with 35 programs and an annual operating budget of $6 million. The institute runs afterschool activity centers to help keep kids off the streets, offers university scholarships for 170 graduates of Jaffa programs, has shelters for runaways and even provides music lessons.

Israeli nonprofit representatives meet

Published on March 1, 2011

Hundreds of representatives of Israeli nonprofits met to discuss how to improve their own organizations and the entire sector. The first Future of Nonprofit Summit Israel met Monday in Jaffa, a follow-up to the Future of Jewish Nonprofit Summit in New York last July. The summits are an initiative of REACH3K, a company that consults nonprofits on their development and fundraising strategies, and CAUSIL, a Maryland-based consultancy firm.

LIVE VIDEO - Survival of a Jewish Nonprofit

By Jay Firestone
Published on February 19, 2009

Can you say fiduciary duty? Jewish nonprofits must follow new rules

Published on December 24, 2008

As the community looks forward, it is imperative that the oversight of investments be executed in a manner that meets the highest fiduciary standards.

Don’t cut support to innovative nonprofits

Published on November 19, 2008

Our major institutions are struggling to adjust, react, prepare but most of all to respond to those most harmed

H.O.P.E. for the bereaved, even years later

By Jane Ulman
Published on December 26, 2007

Four years after Shirley T.'s husband died, the anniversary of his death was more painful than she could have anticipated. She spent the day before cooking the foods he loved and somehow navigated emotionally through the anniversary itself.

JCRC’s Schwartz-Getzug picked to head Jewish World Watch

By Marc Ballon
Published on October 26, 2006

Tzivia Schwartz-Getzug has been named executive director of Jewish World Watch (JWW).

For Musicians, It’s Good to Be Labeled

By George Robinson
Published on May 4, 2006

When Chasidic reggae-rapper Matisyahu sold 350,000 units of his new album, "Youth," in the first weeks after its release, he redrew the rule book for marketing Jewish music.

Letters

Published on March 23, 2006

The funniest part of your recent Purim issue was the article on Rabbi Aron Tendler's departure from Shaarey Zedek Congregation ("Tendler Resigns Under Cloud," March 10). In lieu of any substance, it was filled with rumors and speculation -- a hilarious send-up of real journalism!

Community Briefs

By David Finnigan
Published on February 23, 2006

Even with Republican sponsors and a largely Republican audience, the panelists at a recent discussion on Steven Spielberg's "Munich" covered most of the spectrum from left to right.

Parent Wins School Pesticide Battle

By Idan Ivri
Published on February 9, 2006

A new law that bans that use of experimental pesticides in schools is the latest achievement of Robina Suwol, a Jewish anti-pesticide activist.

Karen Gilman: What Makes Her Run?

By Amy Klein
Published on January 5, 2006

That volunteer work is vast. She served as the sisterhood president of Temple Israel of Hollywood and currently co-chairs its AIDS lunch project, which distributes food once a month. Gilman is also social action chair for the Western Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, which presents the women's positions on legislative policy.

Steven Firestein: Making Magic for Children

By Marc Ballon
Published on January 5, 2006

In 1994, a year after his brush with mortality, Firestein founded a nonprofit that would eventually become the Kids Cancer Connection. A descendant of cosmetics magnate Max Factor -- whose family has donated millions to local charities -- he invested $10,000 to get the project going.

This Time They’re Ready for the Wave

By Peter Ephross
Published on December 29, 2005

Some 50 South Indian villagers are spread out along the sandy beach. Women clad in brightly colored saris converse in groups, while men repair fishing nets. Teenage boys playfully tackle each other.

Then, the residents of Vellakoil get some news from fellow clansmen: Dangerous weather is on the way.

A year ago, when the tsunami hit, 19 died in this village of less than 500; 14 were children. And everyone's house and belongings were washed away.

This time, they are ready.

Preschool Project Strives to Educate All

By Rabbi Eli Hecht
Published on December 8, 2005

King Solomon was known to have coined the expression, "Educate the child accordingly so that when he grows old, he will not leave." In other words, take advantage of the child's education as soon as possible.

In modern times, this admonition certainly applies to preschool, and it's something that my day care school, the Bilowit Learning Center, based in the Lomita-Torrance area, has always taken as a mission.

Fight the Minotaur in the Tax Labyrinth

By John Chiang
Published on December 1, 2005

This past September, the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Los Angeles, the Zimmer Children's Museum and representatives of more than 70 other organizations attended a seminar for nonprofits that I conducted at The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.

H.O.P.E. for Los Angeles’ Bereaved

By Jane Ulman
Published on August 4, 2005

I felt like a third wheel," Shirley said. "I never felt more alone," Diane said. "I felt my oneness," Helene added.

Milken Teens Live, Learn on Skid Row

By Jane Ulman
Published on April 14, 2005

Keep passing. Keep passing." It's 6 a.m. on a Monday morning in March, and students from Milken Community High School, wearing hairnets, plastic aprons and gloves, are dishing out hot cereal, sugar, applesauce, milk and a muffin assembly-line style onto blue trays.

Failed Joshua Venture’s Serious Failings

By Gary Wexler
Published on April 14, 2005

Now that it has been "formally put to death and buried," as one of its grantees told me, I feel free to speak out about the Joshua Venture, a supposed breakthrough organization, subsidizing the ideas of nonprofit professionals who will be leading the next generation of Jewish life.

Dancing the Chai Life

By Gaby Wenig
Published on February 3, 2005

Now, 40 years later, The Sarah Sommer Chai Folk Ensemble (Sommer died in 1969) is no longer dancing in basements or clicking their heels to accordion music. The nonprofit troupe is run by a board of directors and has a full artistic staff, including costume designers, choreographers from Israel and Argentina, and a technical team that ensures that Sommer's Israeli folk-dancing vision stays alive. The troupe itself now numbers 47 -- including eight vocalists, nine musicians and 20 dancers. They perform in large venues all over the world.

News Service Shows Israel’s Other Side

By Rachel Pomerance
Published on December 16, 2004

Bemoaning the way Israel is portrayed in the news is something of a favorite pastime for many American Jews. But rather than complain that Israel is depicted unfairly in its conflict with the Palestinians, two Silicon Valley executives are taking a different approach.

Federation Vows to Help Jewish Poor

By Marc Ballon
Published on November 4, 2004

Jews have long had a reputation as being among the most successful minority groups in the country. For the most part, they are. But as a new report from The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles makes clear, not all Southland Jews live large.

Congress Weighs Nonprofit Security

By Idan Ivri
Published on June 3, 2004

The High Risk Nonprofit Security Enhancement Act of 2004 currently before Congress would allocate $100 million in grants and up to $250 million in government-guaranteed loans for security improvements to nonprofit organizations in 2005, with similar amounts in 2006 and 2007, along with $50 million in grants to law enforcement.

A Thaw in Relations

By Rachel Pomerance
Published on April 8, 2004

Who says that Israelis and Palestinians can't work together? On New Year's Day, a group of Israelis and Palestinians embarked on a 35-day expedition to Antarctica that culminated in the scaling and naming of an unexplored mountain.

The group, Breaking the Ice, was honored this month for diplomacy through sport by Search for Common Ground, a nonprofit organization dedicated to conflict resolution.

JFS Marks 150 Years of Help in L.A.

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on January 15, 2004

This month at the Skirball Cultural Center, JFS celebrates its 150th anniversary with a simple but moving exhibit, "Still Listening," which tells its story mostly through case histories like Miss N.

The Little Flower That Could

By Nancy Sokoler Steiner
Published on October 16, 2003

Hippies, bellbottoms and Volkswagen Beetles aren't the only '60s icons to resurface.

JCC Director to Leave Before Project Finish

By Andrea Adelson
Published on September 4, 2003

Part of the team readying O.C.'s Jewish Community Center for its planned relocation and expansion next year in Irvine is not staying to see the result.

Boot Camp Hones Leadership Skills

By Andrea Adelson
Published on July 3, 2003

Facing a looming leadership shortage within its own ranks, the Jewish Leadership Network started the boot camp on a $10,000 shoestring budget and invited some 30 synagogues and Jewish agencies as well.

Getting Genealogy Help Off the Net

By Adam Wills
Published on April 17, 2003

With software packages like Family Tree Maker and the growing availability of genealogy databases online, family-tree research is being marketed to consumers as an easy, accessible hobby. According to a 2000 Maritz Research poll, nearly 60 percent of people surveyed expressed an interest in genealogy, a 15 percent increase from 1995.

Match Lights Way for Terror Victim Aid

By Sharon Schatz Rosenthal
Published on March 13, 2003

Sharon Evans founded Adopt-a-Family, a project of the Coalition Against Terror, a nonprofit organization that matches Jewish organizations worldwide.

Voice Across Israel

By Keren Engelberg
Published on February 20, 2003

The Jewish Agency, in conjunction with the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and the Hed Arzi Music Company, has released a CD of Israeli pop music to benefit Israeli victims of terror, titled "Yesh Od Tikva" (Our Hope Endures).

Funding Jerusalem

By Gaby Wenig
Published on May 2, 2002

So what does it take to get a charity started in Los Angeles? How can a project be incubated just enough to get people excited so that they will one day open their checkbooks and start signing?

Morgan Muses

By Michael Aushenker
Published on January 3, 2002

The close of Todd Morgan's tenure as chairman of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles could not have come at a more chaotic time: post-Sept. 11, with the umbrella outreach nonprofit still reeling from recent layoffs and its much publicized and scrutinized role in L.A.'s Jewish Community Centers crisis.

Cedars-Sinai Merges with Two Westside Hospitals

By Rob Eshman
Published on October 2, 1997

When Cedars-Sinai Medical Center announced last Monday that itplans to take over management of two smaller West Los Angeleshospitals, the headlines could easily have read, "Man Bites Dog."