Last month, the Jews of Color Initiative announced a new series of grants awarded to 10 organizations and initiatives that are working to address antisemitism in thoughtful, creative and community-rooted ways. 

Grantees include The Braid, Correlate JOC, The Crown Heights Birth Justice Project, Jewtina y Co., The LUNAR Collective, Leveraging the Experiences of Jews of Color to Combat Antisemitism in Higher Education, Mitsui Collective, Moving Traditions, The Shalom Curriculum Project and Tzedek America. 

“These projects range widely in approach — some are training emerging leaders, others are using unexpected tools like card games to open up conversation,” Gabi Kuhn, managing director of Jews of Color Initiative (JoCI) told The Journal. “We’re also investing in educational programming, narrative-shifting research and multilingual, cross-cultural bridge-building efforts that engage both Jewish and/or non-Jewish communities.“ 

She added, “What ties it all together is that every project centers the voices and leadership of Jews of Color, approaching the work through a community-led lens.”

The Braid, for instance, will produce recipe videos and a filmed Shabbat conversation, accompanied by a nationally distributed Shabbat dinner discussion guide. They will also host an in-person screening of this new series. 

Following The Braid’s incredibly successful “StoryNosh: Tastes of Tradition” digital series, which was also generously supported in part by the Jews of Color Initiative, is a new series, titled “StoryNosh: Tastes of Resilience.” 

“Tastes of Tradition” saw families preparing recipes together, showing how coming together around the cutting board can open participants up to more honest and vulnerable conversations. It garnered more than 70,000 views on social media. 

“We are excited to expand this series to take on the challenges of antisemitism and racism,” David Chiu, marketing and communications manager at The Braid, told The Journal. “For this new series, which we’ve titled “StoryNosh: Tastes of Resilience,” all of the cooks will gather together for a Shabbat dinner.

“As they enjoy each other’s cuisine and company, they’ll find opportunities to open up even more, getting real about how hate impacts them personally and self-reflective about what they can do better to build bridges,” he said. 

The Braid’s hope is that these filmed conversations will model and inspire how to discuss the difficult topics of antisemitism and racism in ways that are respectful and productive. 

“I think it’s clear from the last couple years that we need fresh ideas on how to combat antisemitism, especially ones adapted for our multicultural world,” he said. “Living at the crossroads of identities, we Jews of Color have a unique perspective … so I couldn’t be more excited about JoCI’s strategy to support these ten initiatives; The Braid is deeply honored to be among them.”

The LUNAR Collective will train fellows to identify and address antisemitism and support them in leading regional workshops that build bridges among Asian, Asian- Jewish and Jewish communities.

“The LUNAR Horizons initiative will give our Leading Light Fellows critical training, practice and experience on how to dismantle antisemitic rhetoric in communal spaces,” Maryam Chishti, co-executive director of The LUNAR Collective, told The Journal. “It allows our young Asian Jewish leaders to empower themselves, and in turn, their local hub community, to be better advocates against the tide of rising antisemitism.”

Chishti said she is really excited about giving their fellows both the training to really speak about how antisemitism and anti-Asian hate are correlated and why these communities should be in closer dialogue. 

Their goals include giving Asian Jews space to collectively process, grieve and heal from experiences of antisemitism; empowering Asian Jews to feel unapologetically and unconditionally Jewish, so they show up as their full selves in all communities; present and lead engaging and easily replicable models of intercultural bridge- building, that represent the needs of each local community; allow Jews and Asian Americans to repair their communal relationships, rebuild trust and establish true, lasting allyship during this critical time for both communities; and plant seeds of continued solidarity for future generations.

“From my experience working between these two communities, they are contending with a lot of the same issues in this country, while simultaneously sharing so many cultural values and core beliefs — including education, family obligation and food,” she said. “There is so much potential for greater partnership between the Jewish and AAPI communities, and I see no organization more poised for this moment than LUNAR.” 

In the selection process, JoCI was looking for projects that brought bold ideas, a strong community connection and the ability to create real impact. 

“We prioritized initiatives that demonstrated innovation, clear theories of change, meaningful communal partnerships and a strong commitment to evaluation, learning and adaptation,” Kuhn said. “Most importantly, we sought out work rooted in the lived experience and leadership of Jews of Color, knowing those perspectives are essential (and too often missing) in our broader conversations about antisemitism. We wanted to support leaders who are not only asking the hard questions, but who are actively building new models for communal response, engagement, and healing.”

Grantee leaders will meet quarterly in a JoCI-facilitated cohort to learn together and deepen the impact of their work through thought partnership and peer support. At the conclusion of the year-long program, they will share their learnings with each other and the broader Jewish community.

“We hope this work opens up new ways for people to think about and respond to antisemitism, especially where it intersects with race and identity,” she said. “JoC leaders have the power to shift narratives, challenge assumptions and foster the kind of deep, honest conversations that move communities forward together.”

“In our current moment of rising antisemitism and deepening polarization, innovative and community-strengthening responses are more essential than ever,” said Ilana Kaufman, CEO of JoCI. “These projects demonstrate how Jews of Color are not only reshaping the conversation around antisemitism, but also leading the way in building stronger, more connected and more just communities for all.”

For more information, go to JewsofColorInitiative.org.

“Buy Now, pay later” (BNPL) has long been a part of retail culture, but in the past few years, it’s taken on a new life in the fintech world. Arad Levertov had a bold idea: making everyday essentials more affordable through responsible lending. That idea became Sunbit, a BNPL platform designed not for impulse shopping, but for real-life necessities — such as dental care, auto repairs, and vision services. Nearly a decade later, Sunbit is a nationwide success story, approving 90% of applicants and partnering with nearly 30,000 merchants.

I sat down with Levertov, who was recently named Ernst & Young’s 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year for Greater Los Angeles, to discuss what led him to launch the company and what sets Sunbit apart in a crowded market.

Levertov, who was born and raised in Neve Monosson, Israel, co-founded Sunbit in 2016 alongside Tal Riesenfeld, Ornit Dweck-Maizel, and Prof. Tamir Hazan. The company has developed a proprietary AI-based technology that enables instant financing at the point of sale — without fees or hidden costs. Today, Sunbit helps millions of Americans afford dental care and automotive repair.

“When I first founded the company, I reached out to Tal, who I’ve known since we were kids, and asked him to join me,” Levertov said. “We each invested $100,000 and started working. In the beginning it was very difficult to find customers and investors who believed in us.”

With persistence and grit, the founders slowly gained traction. In the past year alone, Sunbit secured backing from major financial institutions including JPMorganChase, Citi and Ares Management. It currently holds over 50% market share in the sectors it serves and employs 550 people — about 120 of them based in Israel.

The concept behind BNPL was reintroduced during the pandemic, a period marked by widespread job losses and economic instability. Consumers who needed financing often turned to BNPL providers, which offered flexible payment options without the high interest rates of traditional credit cards or the barriers of bank loans. “Not everyone gets approved for a bank loan,” Levertov pointed out.

Sunbit’s model allows customers to access affordable, personalized installment plans.

“Let’s say a mother brings her son to the dentist, and the treatment costs $1,500,” Levertov explained. “She can’t afford it, and she was never approved for a credit card or a loan. What we offer is six equal, interest-free payments. The provider — the dentist in this case — pays the fee. It’s still better for them than losing a customer. Thanks to Sunbit, that child gets the treatment he needs.”

 “The market is huge,” Levertov continued. “That’s why we keep going and growing. Today we have over 4 million customers and nearly 30,000 partner locations.”

While Sunbit isn’t the only player in the BNPL space, Levertov believes the company’s philosophy sets it apart. “What drives us is remembering the people behind the numbers,” he said. “When I read customer reviews saying we helped someone fix their car so they could get to work — that’s what motivates me. That’s where I find the most satisfaction.”

The EY award ceremony took place shortly after the war with Iran erupted, adding emotional weight to Levertov’s acceptance speech. “I’m deeply honored to receive this recognition as EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year, especially in these complex times,” he said. “Sunbit’s success is thanks to many people — our investors, our employees, our families, our partners, the 27,000 store managers we work with and the millions of customers who’ve placed their trust in us.”

Levertov, who immigrated to the U.S. in 2008 after completing his studies in Israel, arrived with his wife Dana and their 18 month-old twins to pursue an MBA at Duke University.

“I thought I had a strong entry ticket — military service in the Navy’s elite unit and a job at Intel — but no one wanted to hire me,” he said. “I interviewed for positions I could have done in my sleep, but employers always chose American candidates who understood the local nuances better than I did.”

His defining moment as an immigrant came two years later.

“I tried to get a Costco credit card,” he recalled. “I filled out the forms, answered all the personal questions — and I was rejected because my credit history wasn’t detailed enough. It was unpleasant — even humiliating — and it played a big role in why I started Sunbit.”

He became intrigued by the concept of BNPL especially after noticing that Americans were traditionally used to paying in installments only for large purchases like homes and cars. But by 2005, the model began expanding to include online shopping and smaller consumer goods.

“The shift we made was applying BNPL to the tough stuff — unexpected expenses like auto repairs, dental care and eyeglasses,” he said. “A woman who had to make monthly payments of just $20 or $30 once called us saying she would be paying a couple of weeks late. When we told her there’s no problem and there would be no late fee — though after 30 days we’re required to notify the credit bureaus — she cried with relief.” Unlike bank loans or credit cards which you have to pay in time or you’ll be penalized for late payment, Sunbit doesn’t charge for them. 

Levertov and his wife have four children — the two youngest, ages 15 and 12, were born in the United States. The entire family has been involved in Sunbit. “My wife, who is an educational psychologist, worked as a recruiter for four years, and the children have volunteered and contributed to the company,” he said. “It’s more than just a workplace — it’s a life project.”

In January of this year, the family’s home in Pacific Palisades was destroyed in a fire. They have since relocated temporarily to Marina Del Rey while they rebuild.

When asked what advice he would give to aspiring entrepreneurs, Levertov said: “Don’t be afraid to dream big and jump into the water. Don’t start something with the mindset of making a quick exit. Work hard to build something meaningful — something that can change the world.”

Valley Beth Shalom (VBS) is inheriting American Jewish University’s (AJU) long-running online Hebrew and adult educational programs, according to a July 8 statement from the Encino-based Conservative congregation.

The Community Hebrew Program at VBS, according to VBS, “will continue AJU’s legacy of enriching Jewish life through accessible Hebrew study resources.”

The classes include “Modern Hebrew,” “Prayer Book Hebrew” and “Biblical Hebrew.” Lasting eight weeks, they will be offered at various levels with the goal of empowering students to enhance their language skills while giving them a deep learning journey. Online summer classes start the third week of July, with the plan to launch in-person classes after the High Holy Days.

In an interview, VBS Senior Rabbi Nolan Lebovitz told the Journal that the synagogue was interested in bringing the Hebrew program to VBS because the synagogue is an unapologetically Zionistic organization that believes Hebrew strengthens one’s connection to the land of Israel.

“The Hebrew classes fit within a greater vision of the VBS community in a post-Oct. 7 world,” Lebovitz said. “We recognize the crucial role that Israel plays in our Jewish identity and the vital nature of Hebrew in gaining literacy in all matters Israel and Judaism. The Community Hebrew Program at Valley Beth Shalom provides our members and the greater LA Jewish community with the ability to access our traditional Jewish sources and a greater sense of Israeli culture today.”

Lebovitz, who led the effort to bring the program to VBS, said there are many reasons why an adult learner would want to increase their Hebrew proficiency, whether to support their biblical studies or prayer, or even for the next time they order coffee at Aroma in Tel Aviv. All of this “becomes more accessible with greater Hebrew proficiency,” he said. “As a language that has run throughout Jewish tradition for thousands of years, Hebrew is a crucial DNA marker, binding the Jewish people.”

The Community Hebrew Program complement VBS’ already-robust adult education offerings. For more than 75 years, in fact, the synagogue — which Lebovitz called an “intellectually curious community” — has offered adult learning classes. 

“VBS takes great pride in the notion that our classes, our renowned speakers and our regular missions to Israel present our community with all of the resources necessary to be an informed, engaged proud Zionist Jew in the world today,” the VBS senior rabbi said. “Education has always been a key component within our VBS culture and that’s why a robust Hebrew program fits perfectly at VBS.”

“Valley Beth Shalom holds adult education as a core value,” Lebovitz continued. “It was true for my predecessors, Rabbi [Harold] Schulweis and Rabbi [Ed] Feinstein, and it is true for me, as well. Now, through an online platform, we can sustain the classes for its more than 250 students and begin to offer Hebrew learning opportunities to students around the country. VBS is looking forward to a bright future with a burgeoning Community Hebrew program.”

For his part, AJU President Jay Sanderson said VBS was the right home for the Hebrew program going forward.

“American Jewish University is deeply proud to see our beloved Hebrew program find a new home at Valley Beth Shalom, where it will continue to thrive and serve our community,” Sanderson said in a statement. “The transition ensures that learners of all ages will keep discovering the beauty of Hebrew in a vibrant, supportive environment. We’re grateful to VBS for their partnership and shared commitment to Jewish education.”

While AJU no longer will be involved in operating the program, it will continue helping to promote the classes, including to those who are converting to Judaism through AJU’s Miller Intro to Judaism initiative.

Longtime Hebrew instructor Aliza Klainman be leading the classes for VBS, and she will be joined by a team of native Hebrew speakers. With the migration of the program to VBS, Klainman — who led adult education Hebrew classes at AJU for more than 30 years — now becomes a VBS employee. 

Klainman told the Journal that the classes follow the “Ulpan method,” an immersive and intense approach to learning, where Hebrew is taught with Hebrew.

“People start without any knowledge — none — and by the end of one course, they can read the print letter, write in cursive and converse in present-tense Hebrew,” she said in a Zoom interview. “So, that’s very satisfying.” 

For more information about the Community Hebrew Program at VBS, visit communityhebrew.org