Feb. 25-Mar. 2

By Ryan Torok
Published on February 23, 2012

Gabler, author of “An Empire of Their Own: How the Jews Invented Hollywood,” is joined by a star-studded panel that includes actor-director Carl Reiner, Leonard Nimoy (“Star Trek”), Jeff Garlin (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”), Marta Kauffman (co-creator, “Friends”) and Philip Rosenthal (creator, “Everybody Loves Raymond”). Tue. 7 p.m. Free (Temple Israel of Hollywood members), $10 (general). Temple Israel of Hollywood, 7300 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. RSVP by Feb. 27. (323) 876-8330. tioh.org.

Brides reflect: the most important takeaways for wedding planning

Published on February 7, 2012

On my wedding day last fall, I was very nervous. My husband and I planned our celebration, to be held in Chicago, entirely on our own and all the way from Boston. We were also combining a Russian-Jewish family with a Sabra-Israeli family, and members of each took long flights to the U.S. for the wedding.

Thanks Anyway, But We’ll Plan Our Own Wedding

Published on April 15, 2009

One of the first things I learned about wedding planning is that it’s not as easy as I thought it would be. Oh, I knew it would take time, money, teamwork and a slew of help from my family and friends, but what I never took into account was just how political the entire process would become. Having never been a big fan of politics — personal or otherwise — I was less than thrilled at this discovery.

The high cost of dying

By Jane Ulman
Published on August 7, 2008

A traditional Jewish funeral is simple and not ostentatious -- good news for people concerned about the high cost of dying. But while Jewish law doesn't require embalming, elaborate floral displays or 16-gauge metal caskets with tufted crepe interiors, it does require Jews to be buried in the ground. And that costs money.

All the time in the world

By Mrs. Shoshana F
Published on July 21, 2008

Help is here for planning a ceremony in Israel

Published on July 9, 2008

The unlikely candidate

By Dara Lehon
Published on March 15, 2007

To me, mere satisfaction -- in job or life -- has always meant stagnancy. But, as we all know, the interview process is exhausting. Besides being on your best behavior, you're subject to constant judgment. Confidence is imperative, and things are often not as they seem.

Affordable winter escapes are but a snowball’s throw away

By Adam Wills
Published on December 14, 2006

Now that the holiday season is upon us, it's time to do a little carving -- and we're not talking brisket.

B’nai Mitzvah: Ten ways to slash the cost of a big party

By Gail Anthony Greenberg
Published on November 16, 2006

Do you have to spend a king's ransom to have a fabulous bar or bat mitzvah for your child? Absolutely not, but remember that not all money-saving tips are created equal. This one -- which I've read in several places -- wins my top prize as the silliest: Have your party on a Monday and you'll get a slightly better price from the caterer.

Schools Give Prum-Hess High Marks

By Julie G Fax
Published on June 8, 2006

Miriam Prum-Hess, an experienced and admired Federation executive, took on a new role working on behalf of day schools last year, an effort to increase the level of professionalism and efficiency in all nonacademic areas. She has become the central address for day schools looking for expertise on operational issues -- fundraising strategies, legal advice, business decisions, purchasing, and human resources.

Avoid an Oops in Shooting Your Video

By David Notowitz
Published on April 13, 2006

Whether you're trying to capture a wedding, b'nai mitzvah or 50th anniversary celebration, the day will come and go whether you're ready for it or not. Unless you're prepared, the opportunity to capture family history can easily slip through your fingers.

Throw a Party With a Purpose

By Sharon Duke Estroff
Published on April 13, 2006

It's not that glitz, glamour and secular themes at b'nai mitzvah are inherently problematic, like in the soon-to-be-released one-upsmanship film, "Keeping Up With the Steins," but when they're inadequately balanced with Jewish values we can be left with an empty shell of a party that undermines the entire point of these meaningful milestones.

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.

Kosher Stylin’

By Jessica Ravitz
Published on June 2, 2005

I have plenty of friends who keep more strictly kosher than I do, but even some of them make exceptions -- like bouillabaisse in France or lobster in Maine. I deviate when I'm the guest in someone's home, and the options are slim -- my rationale being that it's better to not shame a host than to stick to my half-baked rules.

Will She Marry Him?

By Seth Menachem
Published on May 19, 2005

"You guys know I love Carrie very much, and I'm going to ask her to marry me. I'd like to get your blessing."

Tips for Picking Holy Land Locales

By Yael Adar
Published on February 10, 2005

Israel has scores of unique wedding venues. Most couples typically choose a venue between Jerusalem and Caesarea, thereby missing out on the many special venues in Israel's periphery.

Passover Pains

By Amy Klein
Published on January 20, 2005

Forget the perennial issue of the divorced child, having to split holidays (especially holidays like Passover that don't really split equitably, when all that counts is the seder). The real issue is how can I get out of this endless cycle of Jewish holiday four-month advance planning?

Create Festive Table in a Blue Mood

By Linda Morel
Published on December 2, 2004

Following are pointers on livening up your Chanukah table from "Kosher by Design" by Susie Fishbein (Mesorah, 2003).

Did You Know…?

By Joan G Friedman
Published on November 11, 2004

Just remember: The most important parts of planning an event is having fun and enjoying the benefits of all your hard work.

No Rush

By Seth Menachem
Published on October 21, 2004

Lately it seems as if everyone I know is interested in me getting married. In fact, the person pressuring me the least is my girlfriend, Carrie.

A Single Thread Links Generations

By Bonnie Vorspan
Published on October 7, 2004

Becoming a grandparent is a very exciting event.

From Durban to Beersheba

By Harold Brackman
Published on September 30, 2004

The horrid bus bombings in Beersheba on Tuesday, which claimed the lives of 16 Israelis, including a 3-year-old boy, are grim reminders that the war onterror continues to rage in Israel.

Give Your Sukkah a Shot of Style

By Keren Engelberg
Published on September 23, 2004

After the high of the High Holidays, twice-a-year Jews hang up their kippot for another 354 days, or so, and in the process miss out on the lesser-known treat of Sukkot.

Groundwork Laid to Evacuate Gaza

By Gil Sedan
Published on September 9, 2004

Sharon hopes to create sufficient motivation among settlers to evacuate their homes willingly in exchange for generous compensation packages, avoiding violent confrontations like those in Yamit.

Wonderousness of the First Time

By Joan G Friedman
Published on August 12, 2004

When the date was set, everything came into focus. He really will become a bar mitzvah. How exciting the whole year became. Bobby knew his prayers and haftarah very well. No one was concerned about that. He began to work on his sermon and master that, too.

B’nai Mitzvah Planning Guide

By Joan G Friedman
Published on August 12, 2004

When the child is born, start saving! It's not a bad idea to start two savings accounts; one for college and one for the bar or bat mitzvah.

The Last-Minute Pajama Party

By Lisa Frydman Barr
Published on July 22, 2004

The Last-Minute Pajama Party, preparation process.

Wedding Woes and Chuppah Horrors

By Nancy Sokoler Steiner
Published on July 8, 2004

It was a hot and sunny June afternoon, just hours before Julie Davine's meticulously planned 1991 wedding at the Hotel Sofitel. The huppah stood festooned in tulle with pink and white roses for the evening ceremony. Upstairs, the tuxedoed and gowned wedding party posed for photographs on the balcony of the penthouse bridal suite. Suddenly, Julie said she saw a cloud of black smoke. "I said, 'What's that smoke?' But everyone said I was being neurotic, so I dismissed it," she said.

Settlers Threaten to Resist Withdrawal

By Leslie Susser
Published on July 1, 2004

No evacuation is scheduled to take place until next year, but the mood on both sides already is tense.

Israel Opens Arms to L.A. Vacationers

By David Finnigan
Published on May 20, 2004

Travel agent Rina Silverman, of World Express Travel in Tarzana, said that roundtrip tickets to Israel are selling well for late June, when school gets out, with flights for some days already sold out.

Adding Mitzvah Multiplies Simcha

By Donna Gordon Blankinship
Published on May 13, 2004

Sometimes the smallest details are the ones that make the biggest impression.

Rites Launch Israel Tolerance Museum

By Tom Tugend
Published on May 6, 2004

Amid a gaggle of Israeli security guards, bustling volunteers and California Highway Patrol officers wired up to communicate with who knows whom, Rabbi Abraham Cooper runs around the first two of about 50 rows of plastic seats temporarily set up in Jerusalem's Cats Square.

"Bring me chairs over here," says Cooper, associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, as he tries to move some seats to make room for one more.

"[Israeli Defense Minister] Shaul Mofaz is not going to be a happy man," he says aloud to no one in particular. "See this guy over here?" he tells his helpers, pointing to a flimsy seat that doesn't look big enough to hold the name on the sign: "Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger," "this guy doesn't move."

The Same Boat

By Rob Eshman
Published on April 29, 2004

Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros once gave a speech about the tremendous growth of the Latino population in the United States.

Fine-Tuning

By Rob Eshman
Published on March 25, 2004

"I don't get it," one of them told me. "Here this popular governor is going to Israel at a time when Israel really needs all the friends it can get, and people are turning it into an issue. I've had it with the Jews."

A Sunny Hungarian Rhapsody

By Tom Teicholz
Published on March 18, 2004

As winter chill gives way to spring sun, it's not too early to start planning a summer trip to Budapest.

Functional Seating to Avoid Teen Chaos

By Julia Kay
Published on March 11, 2004

It had been perfectly planned. For my brother's bar mitzvah reception, each member of our family was responsible for sitting with and entertaining a particular constituency.

B’nai Mitzvah Planning 101

By J. G. Friedman
Published on March 11, 2004

So you're going to have a mitzvah -- whether it is a bar or a bat, the planning begins early.

Question of Ethics

By Bill Boyarsky
Published on February 5, 2004

As both a Los Angeles city ethics commissioner and a Jewish community journalist, I was in a skeptical mood as I took a seat in the audience of a discussion on "Jewish Ethical Values in the Halls of Power: From the Board Room to the Council Chamber."

A Portrait of My Wedding

By Soriya Daniels
Published on November 13, 2003

After only two hours of sleep, I woke up on Aug. 13, 2000, to the sounds of drizzle hitting my hotel window. With a pit in my stomach, I got out of bed -- terrified and excited all at once. It was my wedding day, the culmination of three months of harried planning. I desperately wanted everything about this day to be perfect, to reflect the perfect love that Brad and I shared.

Revitalizing the Core

By John Fishel
Published on September 18, 2003

The Federation is committed to a strong and vibrant JCRC.

Engaging residents of our community to impact the "urban agenda" is the objective. But the agenda of the organized Jewish community must be redefined in a thoughtful, targeted and strategic way to successfully mobilize human resources beyond the core of active, identified Jews.

Down to the Wire

By J.D. Smith
Published on August 14, 2003

I've had a good time being engaged. People are really nice to you. Strangers wish you "Congratulations!" and "Mazel tov!" Thank you, everyone. As the date has gotten closer, I noticed that people go a little bit insane when I tell them, "I'm getting married -- on Thursday." They all seem to think that I should be doing something. What, exactly, I don't know. Baking a cake, maybe.

Community Briefs

Published on June 19, 2003

Community Briefs

Remember the Good

By Rabbi Ron Shulman
Published on March 13, 2003

Judaism's moral imagination describes that King Ahashuerus was not able to sleep because of all that was going on around him: Esther was involved with planning and preparing her next feast; Haman was busy building gallows; Mordecai was upset, praying and wearing sackcloth.

Be Prepared

By Wendy J. Madnick
Published on February 20, 2003

Be Prepared

Beware of a ‘Farhoud’

By Ehud Ya’ari
Published on February 20, 2003

Is the United States going to fight for that New Babylon, a democratic, peace-loving, malice-free Iraq that will serve as a model for the whole Arab re-gion? The answer is probably "yes."

Moonves: No Sympathy for Hitler

By Ivor Davis
Published on January 23, 2003

Planning Ahead Can Save on Health Care

By Gaby Wenig
Published on December 26, 2002

Because elder care can be an enormous drain on an individual's resources, with nursing homes costing in excess of $100 a day and home care costing even more, planning ahead and buying long-term-care insurance is one way of preventing the costs from being too overwhelming.

How Ready Are We?

By Mike Levy
Published on November 21, 2002

"For bioterrorism, we're about as prepared as we are for snow," said City Councilman Jack Weiss, who has spent a year working with security experts and local officials to figure out what Los Angeles needs to do to prepare for and prevent terrorist attacks.

The Battle Over Mesivta

By Wendy J. Madnick
Published on October 24, 2002

The protracted court case, which is now awaiting an environmental impact report (EIR) from the school, shows how badly a school building project can go when met with fiery opposition by the surrounding community.

Jewish Studies Flourish on Campus

By Tom Tugend
Published on October 24, 2002

Within the last few weeks, a number of developments have added strength and further scope to these programs.

Thinking Ahead

By Marlene Adler Marks
Published on May 16, 2002

Even hypothetically, it's not so simple. How do I feel about life-sustaining technology? At what point, if ever, would food and water be a form of futile prolonging of life?

Some Talk, Lots of Action

By Wendy J. Madnick
Published on April 18, 2002

The Council of Israeli Community (CIC), an organization primarily known for planning the annual Israeli Independence Day Festival in Los Angeles, is moving in new directions in the wake of the current Middle East crisis.

According to Vice President Haim Linder, the CIC (originally called the Council of Israeli Organizations) came together in 1996 as one arm of a nonprofit umbrella organization called the Promoting Israel Education and Culture Fund. The group adopted its current title and mission statement on Sept. 10, 2001.

"We got together at Valley Beth Shalom. At noon we went home, knowing we had a new organization, and then we all know what happened the next day," Linder said.

For Richer or Poorer

By Rebecca R. Kahlenberg
Published on July 12, 2001

It is common to find couples with different, and even conflicting, attitudes toward spending money.

Bonding Over Bonds

By Beverly Gray
Published on November 18, 1999

Monique Maas Gibbons is co-chair of the Business and Professional Women's Division, a branch of the Women's Campaign of the United Jewish Fund (and an extension of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles).