I write to you, all you first and second generations, and I assure you from generations five, six and seven that if we keep doing what we need to do, if we stand together, keep our traditions, educate ourselves in our ancient wisdom, keep Hebrew spoken and sung in our midst, we will not only endure. We Jews will thrive.
My Super Birthday Staycation at Hotel Erwin
Lisa Ellen Niver
THANK YOU HOTEL ERWIN in Venice Beach, California
VIDEO: My October Birthday Staycation at the Hotel Erwin
I have always loved High Rooftop Lounge at the Hotel Erwin for celebrating and watching the sunset. For my birthday in October after 222 days in Los Angeles during COVID 19, this is my first time staying in the hotel and it was a spectacular experience.
All of the team are friendly, professional and following COVID19 procedures. The room was clean, bright and had a balcony where I ate meals I brought in from local neighborhood restaurants.
It was a gift to sleep steps from the sand and be able to easily walk on the beach for sunrise and sunset.
Thank you for my local safe staycation!
Are you ready to book your visit? Stay at the Hotel Erwin on Venice Beach!
HANG OUT BY THE BOARDWALK: “Venice is different. Sure, it’s California, but it’s an area of California unlike any other; an area that Hotel ERWIN has personified since the ‘70s with its eclectic décor, friendly staff, and predominant location right on Venice Beach and adjacent to the world-famous Venice Beach Boardwalk. From day one, Hotel ERWIN has offered guests an experience that could not be found anywhere else, and now, decades later, the hotel is still a go-to hotspot for locals, out-of-towners, and SoCal day-trippers.” CLICK HERE FOR LEANING STANDARDS FOR COVID19
“Sun-seekers, Boardwalk revelers, Venice first-timers and L.A. staycationers unite. Come one, come all, and experience what Hotel ERWIN and Venice is all about. Big on vibe, color, and that cozy beachfront comfort, our rooms come with all the usual goods like free WiFi and big TVs, plus some even have partial oceans views. Rooms with ADA accessible enhancements are available too. Of course, if you wanna see the ocean, just take a step outside. Feeling like a baller? Try a suite. They’ve got kitchens and separate living and dining areas.” ROOMS and SUITES: CLICK HERE
Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.
Editor's Picks
Israel and the Internet Wars – A Professional Social Media Review
The Invisible Student: A Tale of Homelessness at UCLA and USC
What Ever Happened to the LA Times?
Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?
You’re Not a Bad Jewish Mom If Your Kid Wants Santa Claus to Come to Your House
No Labels: The Group Fighting for the Political Center
Latest Articles
In Defense of Israel
Welcoming Guests and the Destiny of Nations
Table for Five: Vayera
Route 66 Turns 100: Fall in Chicago, the Mother Road and the Great American Road Trip
Israel Bonds Ceremony, CCFP’s ‘Ambassadors of Peace,’ ‘Letters, Light and Love’
“Art Over Hate”
Everyone by Name – A poem for Parsha Vayera
We want the best for our children –
Hagar’s Oppression is the Source of the Hegira
Print Issue: A Jewish Victory | October 30, 2026
In the face of growing anti-Israel and antisemitic conduct in public schools, the L.A. Unified School District has delivered an important victory for our community.
A Bisl Torah ~ Are You Paying Attention?
Why are we less likely to notice those who are most important?
A Moment in Time: The Israeli Election – Counting Votes, Building Bridges
Rabbis of LA | Rabbi Rembaum on Life Without Fredi
First of two parts
‘You Can See Everything’: Holmes on the Range
In 2026, you don’t expect an American movie – even a documentary – to include an almost Talmudic discussion focusing on the meaning of the word “can.”
Ruby Red Beet Kubbah
If you can’t get to Jerusalem, make a pot of this incredible red kubbah.
A Jewish Victory
In the face of growing anti-Israel and antisemitic conduct in public schools, the Los Angeles Unified School District has delivered an important victory for our community.
Trusting G-d’s Plan ft. Elaine Chaya
Zion Ozeri’s Photographs Reveal the Many Faces of Jewish Identity
His photographs portray Jews shaped by different cultures, histories and traditions while revealing the connections that unite them.
Milken School Opens Jan Koum Campus in Bel Air
The site is now home to Milken’s Upper School, serving students in grades 9 through 12, and expands the school’s footprint across its three campuses to 28 acres.
For Teens, Israel Travel Is Not the End Goal. Jewish Peoplehood Is.
A well-designed Israel experience cannot resolve every question. But it can give young people context, relationships, language, and a sense that they belong to a people and a story larger than themselves.
El-Sayed, Mélenchon, and the Future They Portend
Some have accused me of anti-Muslim bias. Let me answer that plainly: I have none. My issues with El-Sayed would be the same whether he were Jewish, Christian, Hindu or Baha’i.
Unbreakable Blue Thread: Reclaiming Our Past and Our Future
I write to you, all you first and second generations, and I assure you from generations five, six and seven that if we keep doing what we need to do, if we stand together, keep our traditions, educate ourselves in our ancient wisdom, keep Hebrew spoken and sung in our midst, we will not only endure. We Jews will thrive.
Unstuck in the Middle with You
Kwall, the Raymond P. Niro Law Professor at DePaul University College of Law, argues for a center defined by enough common commitments to make communal life possible.
Sewage Without Borders
Israel’s water security depends on what flows into the sea on the other side of all of them, and our water policy should start from that reality.
Torah Portion: Vayera
The parsha ends with the binding of Isaac, the Akeida, probably the darkest chapter in the entire Torah.
Gene Lichtenstein, August 15, 1930-October 18, 2026
Mr. Lichtenstein edited the Jewish Journal of Los Angeles from 1986 until 2000.
Let Them Talk
If we want our younger generations to love our faith, our culture, and our peoplehood, we need to be welcoming when they show interest and have a spark of curiosity.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.