Educating Jews and Non-Jews

Luisa Latham, a Los Angeles native who has been teaching since the 1970s, was born to educate. “I have a tremendous enthusiasm for learning,” she told the Journal. “I’ve taught across the age spectrum and have found all of it tremendously rewarding.”

Latham, who lives in Sherman Oaks with her husband, got her master’s degree at Hebrew Union College and in 1974 began to work at Abraham Joshua Heschel Day School, where she was their first Head of Judaic Studies. During her 25 years there, she got to know the students and make an impact on their curriculum.

“I had the opportunity to know each child, because I was working in a school with only 500 students,” Latham said. “You know everyone by his or her first name, and you know the families. It was not a typical day school. It was very up close and personal, which is something I really treasured.” 

In 1993, she won a Jewish Educator Award. Looking back on her 25-year stint, she said she always cherished “the opportunity to connect students and families to the legacy of Jewish living and practice.”

After leaving Heschel, Latham helped Michael Zeldin of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion start DeLet, a program that trains the next generation of Jewish communal leaders and educators. “Well over 100 teachers have graduated and they have gone out and really done a sea change in Jewish education,” she said. 

Today, Latham, a mother and grandmother, is retired, but still spends many hours each week educating others inside and outside of the Jewish community. “My husband likes to joke that I’m retired but working full time,” she said.  

“I’m moved by the idea that an individual can open up a perspective and shine a positive light on who the Jewish people are.”

Latham volunteered to be the chair of education at her synagogue, Shaarey Zedek Congregation, where she and her husband have been members for 25 years. 

She also works with School on Wheels, where she tutors homeless children at shelters, public libraries, motels or wherever they can meet up to learn. In addition, Latham is mentoring a young woman through the Fulfillment Fund, and making sure she has the skills to develop a résumé, interview successfully and find a good job post-college.

Another organization close to Latham’s heart is Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). For the past four years, Latham has supported and advocated for three brothers in foster care. She visits them regularly and goes to court every six months to ensure they have what they need. 

Along with working with local youth, Latham teaches Spanish-speaking adults how to read during a weekly class at her local public library. “That’s been a very exciting program to work with,” she said. 

Latham said she enjoys working outside of the Jewish community, whether it’s with children or adults, because she wants there to be a good representation of Jews out there in the world. “They may not have had exposure to the Jewish people. You’re kind of an ambassador. I think that’s powerful and important. I’m moved by the idea that an individual can open up a perspective and shine a positive light on who the Jewish people are.”

In all of her educationtal work, Latham also loves helping people achieve their goals. “You see someone being able to go forward in their lives,” she said. “Their lives are enriched and you’re making a difference.”

Read more about our 2019 mensches here.