Jewish Federation Los Angeles

Our President & CEO Rabbi Noah Farkas and JFEDLA helped lead the largest L.A. delegation in summit history at the @jewishcalifornia  Capitol Summit. Watch to see how our community came together, took collective action and put YOUR VALUES IN ACTION.

THIS SUNDAY: Join us live on Zoom at 6:00 p.m. PT for the @jewishcalifornia Superintendent of Public Instruction Candidate Forum. Hear directly from all five leading candidates for California Superintendent of Public Instruction as they answer questions on the education issues that matter most to Jewish Californians. The next Superintendent will lead the nation’s largest public school system, serving nearly six million students. For the Jewish community, this election couldn't matter more. Featuring: 🔴 @richardbarrera2026 - Board President, SDUSD 🔴 @al.for.ca.schools - CA Assemblymember 🔴 @newmanforca - Former CA Senator 🔴 @anthonyrendonca - Former CA Assembly Speaker 🔴 Sonja Shaw - Board President, CVUSD Moderated by award winning journalist @jackikarsh 🔗 REGISTER NOW: jewishcal.org/SPIforum or link in bio

This is your last chance to put the values of kindness and compassion in action at one of our three May Community Service Day volunteer opportunities on Sunday, alongside our partners at Repair the World LA.   Protect nature at L.A.’s last coastal wetland in Playa Del Rey. Celebrate inclusivity while working your hands in the dirt at Shemesh Farms in Malibu. Or take on climate change in Hollywood. Register now for one of these community-building projects today at JewishLA.org/CSD.

Our community thrives through a spirit of belonging.    This #AAPIHeritageMonth, we are proud to celebrate the AAPI members of Jewish Los Angeles whose voices and leadership enrich our community and strengthen our city. We are honored to partner with LUNAR (@asian.jews ), an organization by Asian Jews, for Asian Jews, that creates intersectional community programming and tells authentic Asian Jewish stories. The only organization of its kind, LUNAR’s work produces meaningful spaces where Asian Jews can be fully seen and celebrated.   JFEDLA is committed to building a culture where every person is welcomed, valued, and empowered to express their authentic self. Our work with LUNAR reflects that commitment and strengthens our efforts to create a more inclusive and connected Jewish community.

Strengthening our California Jewish community begins with advocating for our needs together. At the @jewishcalifornia Capitol Summit Monday and Tuesday in Sacramento — the state’s premier Jewish advocacy event — Jewish leaders and allies united to learn, connect, and champion the priorities that matter most to our community. More than 150 Angelenos came together at the state capital, the largest Los Angeles delegation in summit history, constituting nearly a quarter of all participants. L.A. County District Attorney @nathanhochmanda delivered the summit’s keynote address. Former Second Gentleman @douglasemhoff joined @aweingarten1974 in a moderated discussion with Assemblymember @asmjessegabriel to contextualize the legal victory of California’s landmark antisemitism bill, AB 715, becoming law last year. Our JFEDLA community was strongly represented among the summit’s prominent speakers and leaders. Our President & CEO @rabbi_noah interviewed Lieutenant Governor @eleniforca during an insightful fireside chat on protecting our Jewish community. Jewish California Chair @debigraboff and Capitol Summit Chair @jodykas opened the summit with inspiring remarks. Throughout the summit, our community exercised its civic muscle, meeting directly with elected officials to combat antisemitism and hate, protect Jewish communities, secure houses of worship, and maintain critical social service programs that support vulnerable Californians. Congratulations to Assemblymembers Rick Zbur and Dawn Addis, who were honored for their tireless work on AB-715. Huge thanks to Jewish California for an inspiring and impactful summit. Want to learn about future advocacy opportunities and stay informed about the issues impacting our community? Join our mailing list at JewishLA.org/JoinUs.

Solidarity with Israel is standing with victims, preserving their truth, and refusing to let the world look away.   This week, the Civil Commission on October 7th Crimes by Hamas Against Women and Children released the most comprehensive report to date documenting the systematic, intentional, and premeditated sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th and against hostages in captivity. Through our Israel Emergency Committee, JFEDLA was proud to stand among the Commission’s earliest supporters, helping strengthen this imperative effort led by Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy, which ensures these stories would be told with accuracy, dignity, and moral clarity.   Read the report: JewishLA.org/SilencedNoMore   To learn more about our vital work supporting the people of Israel, and Jews all over the world, join our mailing list at JewishLA.org/JoinUs.

After the 2025 wildfires, recovery has taken many forms—community meals, art workshops, family gatherings, and spaces where people can simply be together again. Through our Wildfire Recovery Fund’s Community Healing & Restoration Initiative, CCF has invested $11M+ in 70+ programs supporting that work across Los Angeles County. We’re grateful to our partners who have helped make this work possible: @pasadenacommunityfoundation , UniHealth Foundation, Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, New Balance Foundation, The Starbucks Foundation, and Jewish Federation Los Angeles (@jfedla ), in collaboration with our partner @healthnet . See the full list of organizations at the link in our bio. #EatonFire #PalisadesFire #WildfireRecovery #CommunityHealing

Your values are reflected by the choices you make. Our President & CEO Rabbi Noah Farkas spoke about the connection between Jewish values and the everyday choices that shape our community’s future at our 78th Annual Brentwood Country Club Play Day on Wednesday. Watch this powerful clip from Rabbi Farkas’ remarks, and for more thought-provoking content, join our mailing list at JewishLA.org/JoinUs

Honoring people who dedicate their lives to teaching the next generation is a true joy, especially when the honoree is one of our own. We’re proud of Risa Goldstein, our VP of Families with Young Children, for receiving a Golden Ticket Award for Engaging Newborn Families at the recent PJ Library International Conference in Springfield, Massachusetts. Through PJ Library, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation that sends free Jewish children’s books to thousands of families each month, Risa lovingly supports parents and newborns at a formative point on their Jewish journey. Her innovative approach to growing PJ Library is rooted in the deeply personal belief that every Jewish family deserves to feel seen and celebrated from day one. Join us in congratulating Risa. If you’d like to receive more inspiring stories like this, join our mailing list at JewishLA.org/JoinUs.

Part of protecting our Jewish community means refusing to let hate speech go unchallenged. After California’s official voter information guide included virulent lies that have fueled hatred and violence against Jews for centuries, we released a statement condemning California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber’s indefensible decision to print and distribute the guide, at taxpayer expense, before removing the dangerous falsehoods. Our community demands accountability for this reprehensible mistake, which could put Jewish lives at risk. Read the statement at the link in our bio.

Leaders who take action to protect our Jewish community deserve our support and appreciation. Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) delivered a federal earmark of over $1 million to fund our Community Security Initiative (CSI) on Tuesday during a board meeting at our Miracle Mile headquarters. CSI monitors threats, partners with law enforcement, provides emergency communications, and organizes security training sessions across 40,000 square miles in Southern California. We are extremely grateful to Congressman Sherman for requesting this additional funding to address the surge in local antisemitic incidents and for his long-standing commitment to Jewish community security. Stay updated on all the ways we’re helping to keep our community safe by joining our mailing list at JewishLA.org/JoinUs.

Joy fills our community today on Lag BaOmer, a festive Jewish holiday commemorating the end of an ancient plague when people come together in nature with family and friends at bonfires, picnics, and barbecues. Lag BaOmer is also a popular time for weddings and engagements. It’s a day to remember that even in dark periods for the Jewish people, joy finds a way. Stay connected to moments that matter across the Jewish calendar by joining our mailing list at JewishLA.org/JoinUs.