Volunteers get ready for Big Sunday’s crowds

Published on May 3, 2011

Big Sunday Weekend just keeps getting bigger. The nation’s largest regional community service event, which started in 1999 as the project of a single synagogue in Hollywood, last year boasted some 50,000 participants and next weekend, for the first time, will stretch statewide — all the way from San Diego to San Francisco and Sacramento.

Israel team of volunteers to help with search and rescue efforts in Japan

Published on March 11, 2011

ZAKA International Rescue Unit said Friday it will send a team of trained volunteers from Israel to help the search and rescue efforts in Japan, following the 8.9-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that rocked the country earlier that day.

Peace Corps at 50 draws volunteers over 50

Published on February 22, 2011

Lillian Mizrahi is not your typical Peace Corps volunteer. She first considered joining 40 years ago, when she moved to Los Angeles from the Bronx, but her life became busy with children and a career.

Interfaith volunteers feed homeless on MLK Day

Published on January 19, 2011

Volunteers from Valley Beth Shalom (VBS) in Encino and Family of Faith Christian Center (FFCC) in Carson fed 150 homeless people from the Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission in North Hollywood in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the National Day of Service on Jan. 17. This is the second year the church and synagogue have come together to feed the homeless on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a tradition they plan to continue. “Our tradition is as much about action as belief,” VBS Rabbi Noah Zvi Farkas said.

Etta Israel Center Lauds Volunteers

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on April 20, 2010

The Etta Israel Center honored three young volunteers for their work in helping students with special needs. The Jan. 9 gala at the California Science Center recognized Esther Levine, Daniel Schwartz and
Rita Miller Statman for the time they’ve put in as one-on-one counselors at camp, weekend retreats and holiday programming for children and young adults with special needs.

L.A.'s Top Ten Mensches: Our fourth-annual salute to big-hearted Angelenos

Published on December 31, 2008

The Jewish Journal created this list as a response to all those lists extolling fame, money, power and hotness. We honor these special ten because they are just people -- menschen, to use the proper Yiddish plural -- who understand the power and possibility of just one person.

Meet Gabriel Halimi, Kim Krowne, Manijeh Youabian, Andrew Wolfberg, Susan Corwin, Ari Moss, Richard Braun, Bracha Yael, Jack Matloff and Neil Sheff

Iranian Jewish kids fill care packages for troops, JFS honors goodness of Goldstines

By Danielle Berrin
Published on June 5, 2008

Troubled teens turn to Teen Line and its Leader

By Karen Alexander
Published on February 1, 2007

Although the voice at the other end of the phone is always that of a young person, the driving force behind Teen Line is Elaine Leader, a 79-year-old great-grandmother with a British accent and a propensity for hats and oversized costume jewelry.

Young philanthropists ask tough questions

By Alex de Castro-Abeger
Published on November 2, 2006

We are 17-year-old identical twin brothers, living a comfortable life in suburban Los Angeles.

New Year brings new hope to inmates

By Nick Street
Published on September 28, 2006

Daniel, a 24-year-old UCLA student, has gotten under my skin. I met him a month ago when I followed Rabbi Yossi Carron on his rounds through Men's Central Jail and Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles.

Americans fighters in Israel get overdue thank you

By Tom Tugend
Published on September 14, 2006

An exhibit commemorating the American and Canadian volunteers who had fought in Israel's War of Independence in 1947-1949 and manned the "illegal" Aliyah Bet ships carrying refugees to the Jewish state.

A Circle of Friends

By Mitch Jadidi
Published on April 6, 2006

For several weeks, I had been visiting Nathan, a 6-year-old boy diagnosed with autism. We had been brought together through the Conejo Valley Friendship Circle, an organization that extends warmth to families in the community that have children with special needs.

The Circuit

By Norma Zager
Published on March 30, 2006

Circuit

Big Sunday Gets Big Boost From City

By Naomi Glauberman
Published on February 16, 2006

Corporate, private and organizational donors underwrite the day, including Temple Israel. The budget this year is $450,000. The city's participation will include providing security, busing and street closures. Additional donors are both welcomed and needed, Levinson said.

Angels in America

By Rob Eshman
Published on January 5, 2006

This week's cover story celebrates not make-believe angels, but real live ones.

The Americans Who Fought for Israel

By Tom Tugend
Published on November 17, 2005

The central display of the Aliyah Bet and Machal Museum, which opens formally this week, commemorates the deeds of the two groups of volunteers for whom the museum is named. The Aliyah Bet portion honors the 240 North Americans who manned rickety ships and ran the British blockade to bring Holocaust survivors and refugees to Palestine between 1946 and 1948, in a clandestine operation. Among the 12 ships was the famed "Exodus 1947."

Kids Page

By Abby Gilad
Published on August 18, 2005

Kids Page

L.A.‘s ‘Big’ Sunday

By David Finnigan
Published on May 19, 2005

Between 35,000 and 40,000 people spent Sunday, May 15 at Woodley Park in Van Nuys for the annual Israel Independence Day festival.

The festival's early afternoon main event featuring pro-Israel speeches and politicians lasted exactly one hour; on the last note of "The Star-Spangled Banner" skydivers appeared above. "The coincidence was amazing," festival executive director Yoram Gutman said.

In the late afternoon, more than 7,000 people crowded the festival's main stage to hear Israeli pop superstar Sarit Hadad. Fire marshals had difficulty clearing fans from the aisles.

Holiday of Freedom Spent Behind Bars

By David Finnigan
Published on April 28, 2005

The high concrete walls of the little-used cafeteria at the Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles hardly spoke to Passover’s concept of freedom found and bondage ended. But this is where a dozen inmates gathered for their seder, in a setting that cried out Egypt rather than the promised land.
Rabbi Yossi Carron, the jail’s Jewish chaplain, held up a sprig of parsley to redefine the bleak surroundings.
“This is a real great symbol for you,” the Reform rabbi said. “I really want you to believe in the green parts of yourself. This symbol is you.”

Super Sunday Seeks to Top $4.5 Million

By Marc Ballon
Published on February 10, 2005

n Feb. 13, an estimated 1,600 volunteers will place thousands of phone calls to community members with the hopes of making this the most Super Sunday ever.

Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn will inaugurate the daylong fundraising drive at 9:30 a.m. at the headquarters of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles in Mid-Wilshire. Actor Josh Molina of TV's "West Wing" will be on hand to show his support.

Little-Known Givers Have Big Hearts

By Tom Tugend
Published on January 27, 2005

Always an ardent patriot, after Sept. 11, Robert Rosenthal felt strongly that he had to do something constructive. When he learned that in contrast to USO shows for troops overseas, there was no similar entertainment at stateside bases, he suggested to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld that something be done to close the gap.

Big Sunday, Big Turnout

By Jewish Journal Staff
Published on May 6, 2004

Big Sunday, Big Turnout

Lending a Hand at a Community Seder

By Carin Davis
Published on April 8, 2004

I'm spending Passover in Chicago -- home of the Cubs, the Bears and the whole Davis mishpachah (family). Mom's serving up chopped liver, chicken soup, matzah balls, matzah kugel, gefilte fish -- and those are just the appetizers. We'll drink wine, read the haggadah and belt out our never-ending version of "Chad Gadya."

It'll be a feast of freedom, family and what else -- food. One of my favorite holidays, Pesach does more than bring loved ones together, it brings us together with spirit.

Hello, Israel Calling

By Journal Staff
Published on March 4, 2004

Marc Miller's fundraising goal is to surpass last year's record $2.25 million Federation campaign by 10 percent.

Pledge Storm Hits Federation

By Marc Ballon
Published on February 26, 2004

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles had a super Super Sunday, ringing up pledges of $4.5 million, or $800,000 more than last year.

Not Only on Sunday

By Marc Ballon
Published on February 19, 2004

Bailey Silverman and Rebecca Namm are in many ways typical teenagers. The best friends like to go to the mall, hang out with pals and talk on the phone.

But come Super Sunday, Feb. 22, the two Milken Community High School juniors will undertake the very adult mission of raising money for The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and its 15 beneficiary agencies, including Jewish Family Service, Jewish Vocational Service and Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters. During Super Sunday, the girls will supervise a group of high school and college students in the San Fernando Valley who will call Jews throughout the Southland to make The Federation's annual fundraising extravaganza just that much more super.

The Circuit

By Andrea Adelson
Published on September 4, 2003

The Circuit

Mission to Argentina

Published on June 12, 2003

Last month, seven Los Angeles rabbis and five community leaders traveled to Argentina for a whirlwind 72-hour trip. The mission, organized by The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and the Board of Rabbis of Southern California, helped them gain firsthand knowledge of the crisis in Argentina. Upon their return to Los Angeles, the leaders have begun promoting the Federation's Lifeline to Argentina campaign, a $1 million challenge grant matching every dollar raised. Below are some of their thoughts and photos of the trip.

A Big Sunday

By Rachel Brand
Published on April 30, 2003

Renamed Big Sunday to represent the eclecticism of its volunteers, the fifth annual day of community service will take place this year on Sunday, May 4.

Worst-Case Scenarios

By Rob Eshman
Published on March 27, 2003

The CST model may not be a perfect fit, and it wouldn't replace increased help from the local and federal governments, but a closer look at it may provide a new and improved way to address the increased security needs of our community.

Serious Fun

By Sharon Schatz Rosenthal
Published on March 13, 2003

No matter what the profit, most synagogue administrators agree that the yearly celebrations are helpful morale boosters.

Alternatives to Drugs

By Rabbi Eli Hecht
Published on February 27, 2003

"The world exists only because of the innocent breath of schoolchildren," attributed to Jewish sages, first century Talmud.

Calm But Profitable

By Wendy J. Madnick
Published on February 27, 2003

The Federation raised more than $4 million this year on Super Sunday, $1 million less than last year's $5 million tally. But organizers say that a new fundraising strategy this year has rendered the single-day total superficial.

The Circuit

By Michael Aushenker
Published on January 30, 2003

In an unprecedented event, 650 of the most successful members of Los Angeles' Russian Jewish community gathered under the banner of
Judaism and Israel.

A ‘Caring Heart’ for Israel’s Forgotten

By Miriyam Glazer
Published on September 12, 2002

In the grim underground parking lot of the Rishon LeZion shopping mall in central Israel, hundreds of men and women of all ages are nervously sitting, standing restlessly or milling around, their faces weary, their eyes expectant.

One Day at a Time

By Charlotte Hildebrand
Published on May 23, 2002

The doors of the 107th Street Elementary School opened at noon; reggae music blared over the sound system and pizza was ready to be served.

Your Letters

Published on December 13, 2001

We don't shut down something important; we find a solution ("Centers in Crisis," Dec. 7).

Chances to Lend a Hand

By Solange Borna
Published on May 31, 2001

Reading Is Fundamental

It's accepted wisdom that when children read, they develop wider vocabularies, score higher on intelligence tests and display more enthusiasm to pursue higher education. But many children don't have access to books, even at school.

Wanted: Volunteers

Published on June 17, 1999

This is by way of being an advance notice, a leg up, if you will.
At the start of the upcoming school year, the Jewish Federation will embark on a new venture, Koreh L.A., the Los Angeles Jewish Coalition for Literacy. Its staff is busy (today) setting in place a cadre of volunteers who will work with third-graders in Los Angeles' public schools. The goal is simple: try to help improve reading ability -- literacy is the formal phrase -- by concentrating one-on-one with individual schoolchildren. That's one volunteer assigned to work with one specific child one hour each week for the duration of the school year. Its virtue to me is that this is direct, purposive and personal; and, not to be underestimated, it is also modest in scope.