Financial wizard Michael Steinhardt is blunt in assessing the future of North American Jewry.
The next generation is \”mostly Jewish ignoramuses,\” Steinhardt said. \”We haven\’t convinced the general Jewish population of the value of a Jewish education.\”
For a self-described spoiled American — nails unerringly polished, paprika curls without a misdirected loop, ensembles color coordinated — Blossom Siegel\’s first visit to Israel was a transformative experience. It also was a boon to Orange County\’s Jewish community by awakening a tireless activist and philanthropist.
\”The first trip to Israel changed my life,\” said Siegel, who is the honoree at a scholarship fundraising dinner Jan. 25 for Irvine\’s Tarbut V\’Torah Community Day School at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Irvine.
When Siegel saw the Israelis financial and emotional needs on her 1985 visit, she came to the conclusion that vigorous American Jewish communities ensured Israel\’s lifeline.
The scope and effect of projects in Israel funded by The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles have always been broad. But the Tel Aviv-Los Angeles Partnership, with its specialization in hands-on, people-to-people programming seeks to transcend mere philanthropy in order to change the attitudes of Jews in both cities and create a mutual stake in each other\’s Jewish life.
A nine-woman choral group, ranging in age from 79 to 98, and all residents of the Heritage Pointe Jewish home for the aged, will enliven the 14th annual Chanukah fundraising gala, to be held Nov. 17 at Irvine\’s Hyatt Regency.
\”I collect various thoughts, proverbs and sayings that I find mostly in magazines,\” said Stanley Black, who turns 70 in October. \”My father started to collect them, and I have continued with them.\”
This was not your typical banquet gala fundrasier. The setting was not some posh hotel, but the Cohens\’ backyard, for a parlor meeting.
The banquet, sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, raised $2.7 million and counting toward the federation\’s $12 million Jews in Crisis campaign goal.
Lay leader Marcy Howard said it was the biggest turnout she has ever seen at the Bernard Milken Jewish Community Campus in West Hills on Super Sunday.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles enjoyed another successful Super Sunday.
TV producer Barry Poznick has learned to juggle many balls in his life, but this week, he\’s going to have to throw them. On Friday, March 9, his company will sponsor the first Celebrity Dodgeball Tournament, benefiting the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
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