Ryan Torok
Birthright Israel to Resume Trips in May
Eligibility is limited to individuals from the United States between the ages of 18 and 32 who are vaccinated against COVID-19 or have recovered from the coronavirus.
Fundraiser Responsible for Securing the Largest Charitable Gift to Israel to be Honored
The funds helped create an endowment that raises nearly $20 million annually in perpetuity for the university.
Celebrating Israel — at a Drive-In
Leave it to the Israelis to show the community the path forward.
Milken Students to Study Abroad in Israel Despite COVID-19
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will likely keep most Los Angeles high school students home over the next several months, but nearly 70 sophomores from...
Hanukkah “Maccabees” Story Reenacted at Drive-Thru
The 30-minute drive-thru blended education, family-friendly theater and only slightly irritating bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?
United States President-elect Joe Biden has assembled a team of Cabinet nominees with strong ties to the Jewish community.
Antony Blinken, Biden’s nominee for Secretary...
A Teacher from Afar
For obvious reasons, January 2020 feels like a lifetime ago, but I can nevertheless recall with vivid clarity one evening that month when I...
Shabbat Project Delivers Candles to Homes
In 2017, shortly after a mass shooting occurred in Las Vegas, plans for an open-air Shabbat dinner on Pico Boulevard (as part of the...
Chabad and Yeshiva University Offer Torah Class for High Schoolers
Chabad and Yeshiva University are offering a Torah class high school students can take for college credit.
Beginning in November, high school students in grades...
L.A.’s Jewish Political Leaders Weigh in on Democratic National Convention
They discussed Biden, Harris and the Democratic platform on Israel.
‘Fauda’s’ Avi Issacharoff on Showbiz, Journalism and the Israel-Palestinian Conflict
“Who would want to watch a show about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?” he said. “It is the most boring issue on Earth...But sometimes, miracles happen."
Arkady Belozovsky: Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Official Certified Deaf Interpreter
Belozovsky, who is deaf, is New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s official sign language interpreter who spent 85 consecutive days on TV during the COVID-19 briefings.
‘Soul Vey’ Shabbat Unites Black and Jewish Communities with Music and Comedy
Approximately 200 people participated in the free Shabbat event.
Chaotic but Non-Violent Anti-Israel Demonstration Outside Israeli L.A. Consulate
“My biggest concern is these guys like to mix things — to take the surfboard and catch the wave of Black Lives Matter.”
Jewish Progressive Mike Feuer Runs for Los Angeles Mayor Amid Civil Unrest
"I want to be an architect of building a city that doesn’t just get back to normal, but is more equitable."
Local Trio Launches Pandemic Assistance Job Platform
Sigal Spitzer knows how tough finding a job can be today.
A recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and alumnus of Shalhevet High School,...
JFLA Executive Director Discusses Loan Program for Looted L.A. Businesses
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA) has been working remotely to ensure people receive their interest-free loans.
“It’s extremely...
Synagogue Reopenings Now on Hold After Protests
After being closed for almost three months because of the coronavirus, Baba Sale Congregation on Fairfax Avenue was looking forward to welcoming worshippers this...
Disability Leader Discovers New Role During COVID-19 Crisis
The coronavirus lockdown has tested everyone’s resilience and ability to roll with the punches — physically, mentally and emotionally. And on the days when...
Foodies Across the Country Are Showing Up for Virtual ‘Great Big Jewish Food Festival’
Whether you grew up eating cholent, matzo ball soup or noodle kugel, The Great Big Jewish Food Festival, which will run online, at jewishfoodfest.org, aims to...
Indian Jews from the B’nei Menashe Community Face Unique Pandemic Challenges
Israel-based nonprofit Degel Menashe (Menashe’s Flag) has established a COVID-19 crisis relief fund to support members of the B’nei Menashe Jewish community in both...
Hospital Workers Flood Suicide Crisis Line With Coronavirus-Related Calls
Dr. Lorna M. Breen, an emergency room doctor in New York who had been treating COVID-19 patients, died by suicide on April 26. While...
Chabad Delivers Shabbat Meals During Lockdown
As the coronavirus shelter-in-place order continues, Chabad congregations are delivering Shabbat meals around Los Angeles to hundreds of people who are unable to cook...
Los Angeles High School Takes to the Streets to Celebrate Israel’s 72nd Birthday
Unable to hold its Yom HaAtzmaut carnival on the rooftop this year, instead Shalhevet High School took to the local streets of Beverlywood on...
Keeping Hospitals Funded Is Essential Work, Explains Medical Claims Expert
As many businesses in New York closed because of the spread of the coronavirus, Helene Chabin, 84, a hospitals medical claims expert, assumed she,...
What It’s Like Being An Emergency Medical Volunteer During COVID-19
As an operations supervisor at Hatzolah Los Angeles, Ari Friedman has seen the devastating impact of the coronavirus in the Jewish community. The Valley...
Cedars-Sinai ER Director: Emergency Patients Are Afraid to Come to Hospital Due to COVID-19
Dr. Sam Torbati’s role as a frontline health care worker during the coronavirus crisis has been made much more manageable thanks to the support...
Jewish-Italian Family Tiramisu Business Finds New Life During Pandemic
Giovanni Bolla is a master of the art of tiramisu, the Italian dessert featuring coffee-dipped ladyfingers and mascarpone cream. Like most small business operators,...
‘Bubbies Know Best’ Star Beats Coronavirus
Linda Rich is one of the co-stars of Jewish Life Television’s (JTLV) reality matchmaking series, “Bubbies Know Best.” She also recently was diagnosed with...
How Did Virtual Seders Really Go?
On April 12, Journal contributor Esther Kustanowitz co-hosted a mid-morning group of more than 50 people via Zoom for a virtual Passover seder. She...
