SoCal Jewish News

10/03/2022

"The Lehman Trilogy" is playing through April 10 at the Ahmanson Theatre.

Arts & Entertainment Playwright Ben Power on going beyond Jewish tropes in ‘The Lehman Trilogy’ Naomi Pfefferman March 7, 2022 (Original London and Broadway cast member of “The Lehman Trilogy” Simon Russell Beale will reprise his role in the acclaimed production at Center Theatre Group/Ahman...

26/02/2022

SoCal Jewish News will be on hiatus while Kelly Hartog undergoes a life-saving kidney transplant.

Uncategorized A letter from the editor Kelly Hartog February 26, 2022 Dear SoCal Jewish News supporters, It’s hard to believe that in a few short weeks it will be Purim, aka the upside-down holiday. It’s been a topsy-turvy time for me, too, which in turn, has reflected on SoCal Jewish News. Alth...

26/02/2022

Eliran Malka describes his popular half-hour Israeli TV series “The New Black” as “ ‘Entourage’ at the yeshiva.”

Arts & Entertainment Step into the world of Charedi hipsters in ‘The New Black’ Naomi Pfefferman February 25, 2022 (The New Black. L-R: Ori Laizerouvich (Gedaliah), Israel Atias (Meir), Daniel Gad (Avinoam), Omer Perelman Striks (Dov). Credit: Courtesy ChaiFlicks/Itiel Zion) Eliran Malka describ...

18/02/2022

This week’s Shabbat message comes from Rabbi Ross Levy from Congregation Kol Ami in West Hollywood:

Last Shabbat, we read from Parshat Tetzaveh — a section of Exodus describing the various ritual objects and vestments required in the Tabernacle, including the breastplate to be worn by Aaron the high priest, famously adorned with four rows of precious stones — one for each tribe in the Israelite nation. Each tribe is represented by a different colored stone, which represents the unity and the diversity of the Israelite people.

Earlier this week, Congregation Kol Ami hosted a screening of “They Ain’t Ready For Me,” a documentary about Rabbi Tamar Manasseh, an activist who has led a multi-year effort to reduce gun violence in the South side of Chicago. The film shows clearly how her mission is inextricably linked with her Jewish identity. For Kol Ami, this story fit perfectly not only with our “DocJewmentary” series highlighting current films that center on Jewish stories, but also with Black History Month and our commitment to inclusion and the celebration of the diversity of our people, whether it be diversity of gender expression, sexuality, skin tone, or any other distinguishing characteristic of the modern “tribes” of Israel.

Though the ancient tribal designations described in this parasha have largely been lost to the tides of history, we Jews are still a diverse people, comprised of different “tribes” distinguished by culture, language, historical experience, levels of observance and other markers that differentiate us. Some may see this difference as strange or even threatening to their particular understanding of what Judaism is supposed to be, but we have always been a diverse people united by a common story and a common mission to leave the world around us better than we found it.

May we embrace and celebrate our diversity, and may the distinct colors and textures of our people continue to come together to weave a beautiful tapestry of life and community.

Shabbat Shalom

17/02/2022

It’s been a week since the American Jewish University - AJU announced on Feb. 10 that it plans to sell its Sunny & Isadore Familian Campus in Bel Air, and social media feeds are filled with alumni and community members expressing shock and sadness.

Quick Read For sale: American Jewish University’s Bel Air campus Kelly Hartog February 17, 2022 (American Jewish University campus, Bel Air. Credit: Flickr.com/Rocor) It’s been a week since the American Jewish University (AJU) announced on Feb. 10 that it plans to sell its Sunny & Isadore Famili...

16/02/2022

For the sixth year, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles has announced it will participate in the city’s annual Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count.

The event, led by the L.A. County Homelessness Authority (LAHSA), seeks to identify the number of unsheltered people living in the county. The results are used to secure funding and provide resources to lessen the tendency toward homelessness.

Quick Read L.A. Jewish Federation’s Rabbi Noah Farkas to help lead homeless count SoCal Jewish News Staff February 16, 2022 (A homeless encampment in Los Angeles. Credit: Wikimedia Commons) For the sixth year, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles has announced it will participate in the ci...

15/02/2022

West Hollywood City Councilmember Lindsey Horvath introduced an item called Community Safety Protocols & Support for Jewish People, Community Centers, and Places of Worship.

The item recommends several steps that officials and community members can take to ensure the safety and support of Jewish citizens in community centers and places of worship.

Quick Read WeHo City Council proposes steps to ensure safety of Jewish spaces SoCal Jewish News Staff February 15, 2022 West Hollywood City Councilmember Lindsey P. Horvath introduced an item during the Feb. 7 meeting called Community Safety Protocols & Support for Jewish People, Community Centers,....

14/02/2022

Reitman was a major creative force behind some of the classic comedies of the 1980s and ’90s, including “Stripes” (1981), with “Saturday Night Live” alum Bill Murray; and “Ghostbusters” (1984) and “Ghostbusters II” (1989), which featured “SNL” alumni Murray and Dan Aykroyd.

Quick Read ‘Ghostbusters’ producer and director Ivan Reitman dies at 75 SoCal Jewish News Staff February 14, 2022 (Ivan Reitman. Credit: Wikimedia Commons) Ivan Reitman, who produced and directed some of Hollywood’s blockbuster comedies, died Feb. 12 at his home in Montecito, Calif. He was 75....

11/02/2022

This week’s message comes from Tzivia Schwartz Getzug, executive director of the Jewish Venture Philanthropy Fund

What do a parking lot filled with people sleeping safely in their cars, a loan fund for small businesses hit hard by the pandemic and a course in Salesforce for Ethiopian women in Israel have in common?

The Jewish Venture Philanthropy Fund (JVPF) made grants to support each of these important causes during the last two years. Now in its 20th year, JVPF has given away more than $3 million to support Jewish causes, as well as projects that ensure the dignity and wellbeing of people in L.A., the U.S. and Israel.

This Shabbat, we read about the intricacies of Aaron and his sons becoming priests and conducting offerings to G-d. One of the essential elements of the priests’ clothing is a breastplate across which were written the names of the Tribes of Israel. The priest was literally representing the people of Israel to G-d.

JVPF is made up of more than two dozen individuals who, representing themselves and the broader Jewish community, pool their funds and work collaboratively to choose those organizations that will make the greatest impact for good. Do you know an organization that is exceptional? Think about it over Shabbat and send them to www.jvpf-la.org to apply before the March 1 deadline. JVPF’s 2022 grant cycle is now open.

Shabbat Shalom

11/02/2022

In Jerry Sroka and Mariette Hartley’s 2021 dramedy “Our (Almost Completely True) Story,” the real-life husband and wife (who are now 76 and 81 respectively), play themselves in a film about struggling to find love later in life.

SoCal Jewish News caught up with the couple ahead of an online screening of the film courtesy of the Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival. LAJFF will host a Q&A with the couple and the director on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14. Details in the article.

Arts & Entertainment An unlikely later-in-life romance in ‘Our (Almost Completely True) Story’ Naomi Pfefferman February 10, 2022 In Jerry Sroka and Mariette Hartley’s 2021 dramedy “Our (Almost Completely True) Story,” the real-life husband and wife (who are now 76 and 81 respectively), pl...

10/02/2022

Check out the latest Members of the Tribe who received Oscar nods.

https://socaljewishnews.com/spielberg-garfield-and-gyllenhaal-top-jewish-oscar-nominations/

Quick Read Spielberg, Garfield and Gyllenhaal top Jewish Oscar nominations SoCal Jewish News Staff February 9, 2022 (Steven Spielberg receives his eighth Oscar nomination for best director at the 94th Academy Awards. He’s nominated for “West Side Story.” The film received seven nominations in ...

08/02/2022

The Chabad Center for Jewish Life Newport Beach said in a statement, “The museum will serve to educate tens of thousands of students across Orange County, and inspire a new generation to greater tolerance, moral courage, and personal integrity.”

Quick Read Mermelstein artifact, art collection finds home at Newport Beach Chabad Center SoCal Jewish News Staff February 7, 2022 (Poster credit: Auschwitz Study Foundation) Mel Mermelstein was 17 when he was deported, with his parents, two sisters and brother, from his hometown in present-day Hung...

07/02/2022

In Beth Elise Hawk’s documentary “Breaking Bread,” Israeli and Arab chefs team up to share, re-create and reinvent their family recipes. https://socaljewishnews.com/l-a-jewish-filmmaker-follows-arab-and-israeli-chefs-working-together-in-breaking-bread/

Arts & Entertainment L.A. Jewish filmmaker follows Arab and Israeli chefs working together in ‘Breaking Bread’ Naomi Pfefferman February 4, 2022 (Nof Atamna-Ismaeel in a scene from “Breaking Bread.” Credit: Cohen Media Group) In Beth Elise Hawk’s documentary “Breaking Bread,” Israeli a...

04/02/2022

In honor of Lunar New Year, this week’s message comes from Matthew Hom, the Los Angeles and Santa Monica organizer at . Hom is a Chinese American and Ashkenazi Jew raised in Southern California:

The Lunar New Year festivals hold a special place in the hearts of millions of Chinese Americans, Korean Americans and Vietnamese Americans. I have fond memories of joyful family reunions in the San Gabriel Valley featuring delicious dumplings and steamed fish, the exchanging of money-bearing red envelopes, the honoring of our ancestors and the wondrous dragon dance.

While I’ve always been proud to be both Chinese and Jewish, it has taken most of my life to truly appreciate what it means to embrace all of my identities as a whole self.That’s why participating in communities for Jews of Color has been immensely animating and reinvigorating. The beauty of Asian Jewish spaces like .jews comes from the incredible diversity of every person and their Jewish identities. We affirm that each is true and authentic, and none of us speaks for or represents all Asian Jews or Jews of Color.

Pursuing a career in social justice organizing, I’ve come to understand both how my heritage inspires my work for immigration and racial justice, and why it is imperative for all Jews to help build an inclusive and affirming Jewish community, free from the microaggressions and exclusions that many Jews of Color face. In this Year of the Tiger, which symbolizes courage and wisdom, let us all resolve to confront white supremacy and inequity in the Jewish community, and to build a Southern California of justice and solidarity.

Shabbat Shalom.

04/02/2022

On Wednesday Feb. 9 at 5 p.m. (PST), Sharsheret in the Kitchen will host national bestselling cookbook author Jeffrey Eisner (Pressure Luck Cooking). He’ll demonstrate his step-by-step recipes using the Instant Pot.

Food Health Jeffrey Eisner’s Instant Pot ratatouille stew SoCal Jewish News Staff January 25, 2022 By Jeffrey Eisner, Pressure Luck Cooking, from The Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook Photo by Aleksey Zozulya Ratatouille is a rustic vegetable dish so deep in flavor you might forget it’s made fro...

03/02/2022

“Holy Sparks,” a new art exhibition produced by The Braid‘s Story Archive of Women Rabbis and preserved at the Jewish Women’s Archive, celebrates five decades of the commitment and vision of 24 pioneering women. Among them are local Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills Rabbi Emeritus Laura Geller, Nashuva Rabbi Naomi Levy and IKAR Senior Rabbi Sharon Brous

Quick Read SoCal rabbis featured in ‘Holy Sparks’ art exhibit celebrating 50 years of Jewish female pioneers SoCal Jewish News Staff February 2, 2022 Sally Priesand made history when she was ordained by Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) on June 3, 1972, as the first fem...

03/02/2022

Two dozen leading contemporary Jewish female artists who immersed themselves in their respective rabbi’s recorded interviews, evoke the struggles and success of 24 women who were trailblazers in their time. Among them are local Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills Rabbi Emeritus Laura Geller, Nashuva Rabbi Naomi Levy and IKARSenior Rabbi Sharon Brous.

Quick Read SoCal rabbis featured in ‘Holy Sparks’ art exhibit celebrating 50 years of Jewish female pioneers SoCal Jewish News Staff February 2, 2022 Sally Priesand made history when she was ordained by Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) on June 3, 1972, as the first fem...

31/01/2022

The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) on Jan. 25 awarded $47.5 million to 290 community nonprofits across the state, including Jewish organizations, community centers and synagogues in Southern California.

Cal OES Director and Governor’s Homeland Security Advisor Mark Ghilarducci said in a statement, “No Californian should have to fear for their safety when going to a house of worship, community center or reproductive health clinic."

Quick Read Local Jewish nonprofits receive CalOES funds to enhance security and safety Erin Ben-Moche January 31, 2022 The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) on Jan. 25 awarded $47.5 million to 290 community nonprofits across the state, including Jewish organizations, com...