Jewish Federation Los Angeles

08/20/2026

More than 700 community members came together in Jewish joy for Shabbat in the Park last Friday night under an open Valley sky at ! The evening was a powerful celebration of Jewish unity, community, and tradition, in partnership with more than 25 Valley Jewish organizations and synagogues. It included an interdenominational Kabbalat Shabbat service, a candle lighting ceremony, a vibrant drum circle, live music, arts and crafts, and activities for children and families.

Thank you to everyone who shared in this beautiful celebration of Jewish life.

Join our mailing list to be the first to hear about our next fun-filled, community-building event at JewishLA.org/JoinUs.

08/20/2026

Compassion has no age limit.

Your support of Shnat Sherut 50+, an Israeli volunteer initiative led by trusted JFEDLA partner Elul that mobilizes older adults for a year of impactful service, is helping Israel's most vulnerable communities recover, while giving a generation of Israeli professionals the chance to focus their expertise where it's needed most.

From Israel's north to the Gaza Envelope, Shnat Sherut 50+ volunteers (some of whom are in their 80s!) relocate to the regions most ravaged by the war, using the skills they accrued in careers like teaching, high-tech, social work, and trauma care to provide targeted help to Israelis in need. This year alone, 67 Shnat Sherut 50+ volunteers have spent 81,606 cumulative hours teaching young people, supporting those with mental health struggles, and strengthening the resilience of the entire country.

To learn more about the many ways we're helping the people of Israel rebuild, join our mailing list at JewishLA.org/JoinUs.

08/19/2026

Some of the most powerful leadership lessons happen far from home.

Brawerman Fellows Sophie Berman and Griffin Joseph recently traveled to Guatemala to support local Indigenous communities impacted by environmental and political challenges. Along with financial support, mentorship, and lifelong community, Brawerman Fellows volunteer abroad, which expands their perspectives and helps them grow as compassionate Jewish leaders.

Read Sophie and Griffin's first-hand accounts of their Guatemala experience on our blog at https://www.jewishla.org/brawerman-guatemala-reflections/.

To learn more about the Brawerman Fellowship, please visit https://www.jewishla.org/program/brawerman-fellowship/.

08/13/2026

Building strong, connected communities is an essential part of investing in our city.

We brought together our 2026 United Leaders Project (ULP) Fellows for the annual ULP Civic Crawl, a weekend-long immersive exploration of Los Angeles. From historic institutions to community-driven spaces, the cohort visited eight legacy sites, including , , , and .

Throughout the weekend, 12 inspiring Los Angeles leaders shared their stories, experiences, and lessons from their work building powerful community resources and opportunities. Their persistence in creating meaningful change was inspiring. We’re grateful to these leaders for welcoming our Fellows and sharing their stories. Together, we’re building the next generation of civic leaders for Los Angeles.

Learn more about how we're celebrating the history and diversity of Los Angeles by joining our mailing list at https://www.jewishla.org/join-our-mailing-list/?utm_source=jewishla&utm_medium=event&utm_content=qr&utm_campaign=join_our_mailing_list

Special thanks to:
Rabbi Leah Lewis , Vanessa Bloom .jews The LUNAR Collective, Sandy Irani , Johng Ho Song , Marissa López, English and Chicana/o and Central American Studies at UCLA , Letitia Fernandez Ivins , Daniel Tarica , Dr. Eric Aguiar , Tanika Vickers , CA State Senator Ben Allen , Susana Reyes , Aaron Henne

08/13/2026

Impactful leaders understand the need to step outside their comfort zones, surrounded by people who inspire them.

Our Brawerman Fellows — L.A. natives who receive college scholarships, mentorship opportunities, and a lifetime of Jewish community — recently came together for their summer retreat, three days at an idyllic campground where they celebrated Shabbat, explored resilience-building strategies, and took on challenges like archery and a ropes course.
This year, the Fellowship welcomed its largest incoming freshman cohort ever, growing from four to eight talented students. The Fellows emerged from the weekend feeling refreshed and ready to weave their Jewish values into their unfolding leadership journeys.

To learn more about the Brawerman Fellowship, visit https://www.jewishla.org/program/brawerman-fellowship/

08/13/2026

Nearly 80 volunteers put their values in action at three service projects across Los Angeles on Sunday, as part of JFEDLA’s August Community Service Day, in partnership with Repair the World.

With Sharsheret, hosted by Valley Beth Shalom Synagogue, volunteers assembled 60 care kits for women receiving treatment for breast and ovarian cancers. At Westside Food Bank, community members packed 300 boxes with produce for the Summer Box Program, which serves food-insecure families across the Westside. In partnership with Shemesh Farms, volunteers helped dig up invasive plants, water and aerate compost, sort herbs, curate an herb blend, paint rocks for the new pollinator garden, and prepare for a beach cleanup.

We'll be back in October with three more volunteer opportunities! Join our mailing list to stay in the loop by visiting https://www.jewishla.org/join-our-mailing-list/

08/11/2026

Leave the worries of the week behind with our lively Emerging Philanthropists community at Shabbat Under the Stars on Friday, August 21st at 7:00 PM.

It will be an intimate evening of great food, stimulating conversation, and meaningful connection at one of the most popular spots in Woodland Hills. Whether you're looking to meet new people, reconnect with familiar faces, or support the Jewish community in a relaxing atmosphere, there's a seat waiting for you at our table.

Space is limited, so register today: https://47156-prd-bbis.jfusa.concourse.host/2026-ep-shabbat-under-the-stars

08/07/2026

Honor our precious community of Holocaust survivors at a special performance of on Sunday, August 30 at 2:00 PM at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Seen by tens of thousands across the U.S. and Canada, SURVIVORS (from award-winning playwright Wendy Kout) brings to life the true stories of children and teens who survived the Holocaust and rebuilt their lives in America. Their courage, hope, and warnings continue to resonate today. Stay for a ceremony immediately following the one-hour performance that honors local Holocaust survivors.

SURVIVORS is produced by Arts For Change in partnership with JFEDLA, Holocaust Museum LA, and the Holocaust Education Center of . Get your tickets here: https://www.simpletix.com/e/survivors-the-play-tickets-284743

08/07/2026

Our indispensable Valley community supports so much of our vital work. Through our new Valley Big News series, we're showing how people in the Valley help put Jewish values in action every day.

Today, we're sharing the story of Maayan Goldman, a Tarzana native who embodies the value of leadership. Maayan is a recipient of the Brawerman Fellowship, which provides Jewish students from L.A. with scholarships, mentorship, and a lifetime of Jewish community. Her Valley upbringing instilled in Maayan a deep love of Jewish life that she leaned on at UCLA as a courageous leader of fellow Jewish students when the anti-Israel protest movement on campus reached its height.

For Maayan, and many young Jewish leaders like her, JFEDLA provides the confidence and support that help them unlock their full potential. When our Valley community shows up, tomorrow's Jewish leaders gain the skills they need to strengthen our community decades into the future.

The stories we've shared throughout this series are only possible because of supporters like you. Put your values into action today by making a gift to JFEDLA to help ensure our community continues creating inspiring stories like these for generations to come: https://www.jewishla.org/donate/valley-big-news/?utm_source=blackbaud&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=valley_welcome_series&utm_content=26084-4c

08/06/2026

Applications are now open for our Julie Beren Platt Teen Innovation Grant, which awards up to $1,000 to help students in grades 9–11 turn their bold ideas into reality. Along with funding, participants receive mentorship, guidance, and hands-on workshops designed to help bring their vision to life.

Applications close September 10th, so apply today:

Up to $1,000, and partnership with a mentor, for teens to turn their creative ideas into reality.