ZOA regains tax-exempt status

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on May 20, 2013

After 15 months, the nonprofit pro-Israel Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has regained its tax-exempt status.

Zionist leader offers doubt about Shangri-La verdict

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on February 27, 2013

After the Hotel Shangri-La in Santa Monica and its owner, Tehmina Adaya, were found guilty in August of discriminating against a group of Jews who had come to a party held on the hotel pool’s deck, Steven Goldberg, national vice chair of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), announced his group’s intention to protest outside the hotel.

Zionist group to honor anti-Islam activists at Hotel Shangri-La

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on January 18, 2013

When the Muslim part-owner of a Santa Monica boutique hotel was found guilty last year of discriminating against a group of Jewish patrons, the hotel announced it would host a party for a Jewish group as part of its efforts to repair its reputation.

Welcome to the zAngel

By Orit Arfa
Published on December 17, 2012

Jews and guns: A day on the firing range

By Ryan Torok
Published on December 5, 2012

Susanne Reyto carefully loaded her rifle and switched the safety off. Peering into the scope attached to the top of the weapon, she pulled the trigger while former U.S. Army platoon leader Charlie Jasper looked on to ensure she was handling her weapon safely.

ZOA fires L.A. director Orit Arfa

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on November 20, 2012

Orit Arfa, executive director of the Zionist Organization of America’s (ZOA) Western Region, was fired from her job on Nov. 19, one day after she addressed a crowd at a pro-Israel rally in Los Angeles that she helped organize, telling the crowd she was “proud” to work for the ZOA.

Drawing 1,400, peaceful L.A. pro-Israel rally turns ugly near its end [VIDEO]

By Ryan Torok
Published on November 18, 2012

With an Israeli flag wrapped around him, Rabbi Dov Elkins stood with a crowd outside the Federal building in West Los Angeles on Sunday to participate in a pro-Israel rally.

ZOA L.A. office in doubt

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on November 8, 2012

Citing budgetary pressures, the Zionist Organization of American (ZOA) will vacate the small office it has rented in The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles headquarters on Wilshire Boulevard later this month. The pro-Israel nonprofit exercised an opt-out clause in October, passing up the chance to renew its one-year lease on a small office space on the building’s fifth floor, for which it has paid somewhere between $800 and $1,000 each month, according to officials from ZOA and Federation.

ZOA cancels annual fundraising gala over tax issues

Published on October 24, 2012

The Zionist Organization of America, which lost its tax-exempt status earlier this year, has canceled its high-profile annual fundraising dinner.

ZOA’s lost tax-exemption status prompts demand for new leadership

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on September 14, 2012

On Sept. 11, the Zionist Organization of America’s (ZOA) board of directors met in New York and overwhelmingly approved a resolution expressing confidence in the organization’s direction and in the leadership of Morton Klein, its president of 19 years.

ZOA loses tax-exempt status

Published on September 11, 2012

The Zionist Organization of America lost its tax-exempt status due to a late filing of tax returns. The organization did not file returns for three consecutive years, The Forward reported Sept. 11.

Hotel Shangri-La, ZOA find common ground

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on August 29, 2012

On Aug. 21, on the heels of a jury decision that found the Hotel Shangri-La in Santa Monica, along with one of its part-owners, had discriminated against a group of Jews during an incident in 2010, the Western Region of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) sent out a notice that it was planning a protest in front of the Hotel Shangri-La on Aug. 26, to "express outrage."

ZOA calls off Hotel Shangri-La protest after ‘concessions’ from owner

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on August 24, 2012

Why a Jewish Democratic leader attacked Sheldon Adelson

By Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Published on July 10, 2012

After barring anti-Islam activist,  Federation reconsiders events policy

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on July 5, 2012

In the aftermath of its June 24 decision to bar conservative blogger and anti-Islam activist Pamela Geller from delivering a speech at its Wilshire Boulevard headquarters, The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles is crafting a new policy for non-Federation-sponsored events at the building.

ZOA prevails in wrongful termination suit

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on July 5, 2012

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge in Beverly Hills cleared the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) of all claims brought against it by a former employee alleging wrongful termination as well as pregnancy and sex discrimination.

Young Judaea’s separation from Hadassah begins

Published on July 3, 2012

Young Judaea is en route to full independence from Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America.

Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on June 25, 2012

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles barred anti-Muslim activist Pamela Geller from delivering a previously scheduled speech at its Wilshire Boulevard headquarters on June 24.

ZOA defends itself against discrimination suit

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on June 20, 2012

Zionist Organization of America President Morton Klein took the stand last week in a Beverly Hills courtroom as the final witness in a sex discrimination and wrongful termination case filed against the ZOA.

ZOA sued for discrimination, national president Morton Klein takes the stand in Beverly Hills courtroom in defense

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on June 14, 2012

Zionist Organization of America President Morton Klein took the stand Thursday in a Beverly Hills courtroom as the final witness in a sex discrimination and wrongful termination case filed against the ZOA.

Rutgers president urged to combat campus anti-Semitism

Published on April 20, 2012

The Zionist Organization of America sent a letter to the president of Rutgers University, urging him to do more to combat anti-Semitism on the campus.

The ZOAngel’s Purim Message [VIDEO]

By Orit Arfa
Published on March 7, 2012

Glenn Beck, ZOA and mad men

By Mark Paredes
Published on November 28, 2011

At ZOA dinner, Glenn Beck dishes out the pro-Israel meat

Published on November 21, 2011

The Zionist Organization of America’s annual dinner is a place where conventional thinking about the liberal proclivities of American Jews goes to die. But never quite like Sunday night -- when Tea Party darling and Republican presidential hopeful Michele Bachman served as the opening act and Glenn Beck was swarmed like a rock star.

ZOA to recognize Glenn Beck

Published on November 17, 2011

The Zionist Organization of America will honor Glenn Beck as a "defender of Israel."

ZOA complaint seeking probe of Rutgers

Published on July 27, 2011

The Zionist Organization of America has filed a complaint against Rutgers University alleging that the school fostered a hostile environment toward Jewish students.

ZOA to AIPAC: Withdraw Obama invite

By Ron Kampeas
Published on May 20, 2011

The Zionist Organization of America urged AIPAC to rescind its invitation to President Obama after he called for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations on the basis of 1967 lines, saying Obama is the most hostile U.S. president ever to Israel.

ZOA lobbies for embassy move, P.A. cut-off

Published on May 13, 2011

A Zionist Organization of America mission to Congress lobbied for bills that would move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and cut off assistance to the Palestinian Authority if it declares statehood. Some 400 delegates met with an array of lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate on Thursday.

Groups clash over public discussion of Olive Tree Initiative

Published on March 23, 2011

The Orange County chapter of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), after being denied a venue at two local synagogues, is claiming Jewish community leaders have sought to prevent ZOA from generating public discussion critical of a controversial student program.

ZOA wants inquiry into Turkey

Published on June 4, 2010

The Zionist Organization of America called for an investigation of Turkey's role in this week's flotilla incident.

ZOA lobbies Congress on Iran, PA

Published on April 22, 2010

Activists for the Zionist Organization of America lobbied Congress to consider military action against Iran.

David Myers v. Gary Ratner

By Rob Eshman
Published on September 1, 2009

Will Congress listen to liberal pro-Israel groups’ criticism of Gaza operation?

Published on December 30, 2008

In the first sign of a post-election struggle to set the American Jewish community's Middle East agenda, a quartet of liberal pro-Israel groups is criticizing Jerusalem's decision to launch retaliatory attacks against Gaza.

Zell it, Sam; Cool it, Orit; 40 million Frenchmen

Published on August 7, 2008

" . . . In Fairfax High School, I had a brilliant and wise instructor of advanced placement European History who used to say: 'Do not put all your faith in one man. For surely he will disappoint you.' And he also said: '40 million Frenchmen can be wrong' . . ."

Negotiating with Syria, still with the Rev. Wright brouhaha, Museum of Tolerance expansion

Published on June 5, 2008

". . .The Museum of Tolerance is not a Holocaust museum. It is the educational arm of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and its mission is to educate, using the history of the Holocaust. . . One should never forget but remember by the example of how we live our lives . . ."

Rev. Wright is Mr. Wrong

By Brad A. Greenberg
Published on April 28, 2008

Briefs: Three plead guilty in SoCal terror plot; Report says UCI acted properly

Published on December 20, 2007

Three members of an Islamic terrorist cell who were on the verge of attacking the Israeli consulate, an El Al ticket counter and two synagogues, face up to 20 to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty in federal court to conspiring to levy war against the United States.

Muslims and Jews must move on and strengthen ties

By Omar Ricci
Published on October 5, 2006

The decision by the L.A. County Commission on Human Relations to give its John Allen Buggs Humanitarian Award to Muslim leader Dr. Maher Hathout and the vitriolic rhetoric from a segment of the Jewish community.

UCI Talks on Bias Charge Break Down

By Marc Ballon
Published on August 18, 2005

Mediation has broken down between UC Irvine and a Jewish group that accused the university of tolerating campus anti-Semitism.

After just two meetings, the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) called off summer talks with university officials, ending negotiations to settle the first-ever federal civil rights complaint filed against a university on the basis of alleged anti-Semitism.

Zionist Organization Sings Way to L.A.

By Tom Tugend
Published on March 31, 2005

The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), a pro-Israel group associated with right-wing Israeli politics, is setting up shop in Los Angeles and, in keeping with California custom, has named a personality from the entertainment industry as its local president.

He is Ed Ames, the smooth-voiced former lead singer of the Ames Brothers, one of the most popular harmony groups of the 1950s.

Bill Cracks Down on Killers of Americans

By Matthew E. Berger
Published on December 16, 2004

A Jewish community initiative to bring to justice those who kill Americans overseas has become law.

Provisions of a bill spearheaded by the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), dubbed the Koby Mandell Act, were incorporated into the omnibus spending bill President Bush signed last week.

The Hardliner

By Rob Eshman
Published on August 5, 2004

I like Mort Klein.

To people who know him and me both, that must seem as incongruous as a Bush/Cheney bumper sticker on a Prius.

Klein is the national president of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA). Over the years, including this year, he has espoused positions that I consider wrong, at the very least, if not outright dangerous.

Jewish Groups Back U.S. Stand on Iraq

By Matthew E. Berger
Published on October 17, 2002

Jewish groups are supporting a resolution from their umbrella organization backing the Bush administration's use of force against Iraq "as a last resort."

The Truth About the ZOA

By Morton A. Klein
Published on July 15, 1999

Gene Lichtenstein's July 2 editorial misrepresented the positions and activities of the Zionist Organization of America.

My Problem with the ZOA

Published on July 1, 1999

According to the ZOA, Al-Marayati's appointment is tantamount to naming white supremacist David Duke to a civil rights task force. "We don't want anyone on this group who condones terrorism and praises terrorist groups as Al-Marayati and his top leaders have done," said Morton A. Klein, president of the ZOA, in Philadelphia. Who could argue with that?