One of the things I have come to appreciate most about leading our Jewish Federation is the advocacy work we have been able to do on behalf of our community. In that role, we have had many major successes that have benefited not only our local Jewish community, but also Southern California, …
This past weekend, my family and friends gathered together for my dad’s unveiling. It is hard to believe that he passed away almost one year ago. As the days led up to his unveiling, ending the “formal” mourning period according to our tradition, I began to think about the mark we make while…
I always find this time of year to be a little strange. On the one hand, we are still in the throes of summer (hope everyone is staying hydrated and finding ways to cool down), and on the other, we're in the midst of the start of the school year. Speaking of, it has been a lot of fun (and so…
Like many in our community and around the world, I was horrified to see that another attack on a synagogue took place this past Shabbat. As the community of Central Synagogue was gathered in prayer, an attacker barged into the sanctuary, shouted obscenities, spat, punched a congregant in the…
Over our Jewish Federation’s 30+ years, the work we do has shifted. While our mission has always focused on strengthening and enhancing Jewish life in our community through the programs we provide, you have probably noticed a shift toward greater emphasis on advocacy in recent years. Even wh…
