Murder victim related to temple founder

By Ryan Torok
Published on June 17, 2013

A Porter Ranch woman, who authorities said was shot and killed early Friday morning when a domestic dispute escalated, was the daughter of a founding member of Temple Ahavat Shalom (TAS) in Northridge, according to a family member of the deceased.

Interfaith leaders commemorate Yom Hashoah

Published on April 10, 2013

In what was anything but a typical Yom HaShoah assemblage, more than 300 people — including two rabbis, a Methodist preacher, a Catholic priest and a U.S. congressman — packed into Temple Ramat Zion in Northridge on April 7 for an interdenominational observance titled “Remembering the Past, Securing the Future.”

Anne Frank’s stepsister speaks at USC and CSUN

Published on January 25, 2013

Her modesty, gracefulness and soft voice don’t suggest it, but Eva Schloss’ encounter with darkness has instilled in her a determination to tell the world her story.

Connie and Harvey Lapin: Two-person army for their son

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on January 3, 2013

Just try asking Connie and Harvey Lapin to recap 44 years as parent activists in the world of autism. In hyperactive tag-team, the couple bursts forth with stories and ideas, only to interrupt themselves and one another with still more anecdotes, ideas and accomplishments.

Northridge mother pleads guilty in syrup swastika vandalism

By Ryan Torok
Published on July 19, 2012

A Northridge mother pleaded no contest Wednesday to a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor for helping her teenage daughter and two friends deface homes with maple syrup swastikas, human feces and toilet paper, according to the L.A. city attorney’s office.

Northridge mother charged in syrup swastika vandalism

By Ryan Torok
Published on June 11, 2012

A Northridge woman has been charged with multiple criminal counts for helping her teenage daughter and two friends deface homes with maple-syrup swastikas, human feces and toilet paper. Catharine Whelpley, 43, was charged on June 11 with three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, two counts of vandalism, two counts of trespassing and two counts of tampering with a vehicle.

Independence for teens with special needs

Published on May 2, 2012

Most freshmen feel overwhelmed during their first year at college. But for Sarah Selinger, a 19-year-old woman from West Los Angeles, her first semester at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), was almost unbearable.

Shirley Levine, education icon, dies at 80

By Ryan Torok
Published on January 12, 2012

Shirley Levine, a leader in Jewish education who founded Abraham Joshua Heschel Day School in Northridge, the first non-denominational Jewish community day school in Los Angeles, died on Jan. 9. She was 80.

Unearthing China’s hidden Jewish past

Published on March 8, 2011

When Shi Lei finished a presentation about China’s hidden Jewish past recently, his California State University, Northridge (CSUN), audience was full of questions. They wanted to know more about the former synagogue in Shi’s hometown of Kaifeng and about his Jewish ancestors who settled there 1,000 years ago. One yenta, however, had more contemporary concerns on her mind:

CSUN exemplifies the changing face of ‘Jewish Studies’

By Tom Tugend
Published on August 16, 2007

Jewish studies programs at American colleges keep growing, but the enrollment curve of Jewish students in such programs remains largely flat or is drooping. The explanation for this seeming paradox is that more and more non-Jews are signing up and, to continue this trend, universities must reach out to other ethnic and religious groups, professor Jody Myers said.

Car Crash Claims Beloved Northridge Rabbi

By Marc Ballon
Published on November 17, 2005

The beloved rabbi of a Northridge synagogue apparently committed suicide in the wake of personal disclosures that jeopardized his job. These disclosures had to do with allegedly "inappropriate" actions by the rabbi, but nothing that was criminal or illegal, said officials of Temple Ramat Zion.

Sunday in the Park With Richard

By Wendy J. Madnick
Published on September 28, 2000

Fiesta Shalom, the Latino Jewish Cultural Committee's Sept. 24 festival at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), attracted some 5,000 people over the course of the day, according to estimates by campus police.

A Mostly Jewish Festival

By Wendy J. Madnick
Published on July 13, 2000

Q: When does a fence equal freedom?
A: When it's an eruv.
On Sun., July 2 the Jewish community of Northridge will celebrate the official initiation of its new eruv, allowing observant Jews the ability to carry on the Sabbath within its domain.The project was initiated more than 10 years ago by members of Young Israel of Northridge, at that time the only traditional Jewish community in the North Valley. They created the North Valley Eruv Society, which eventually expanded to include members of surrounding congregations, such as Temple Ramat Zion, Em Habanim and Chabad of Northridge.

Masters of Their Domain

By Wendy J. Madnick
Published on June 22, 2000

Q: When does a fence equal freedom?
A: When it's an eruv.

AJ Congress’  Surgery

Published on March 18, 1999

Everyone knows that California is earthquake country, but somehow you're never fully prepared. Take the Los Angeles chapter of the American Jewish Congress. It has been dislocated by two separate quakes recently. It survived the first one. The second was devastating.

A Crash Course in Hebrew

By Jolie Greiff
Published on September 24, 1998

Lorraine Anishban, 38, has been trying to learn how to read Hebrew for years.