National youth philanthropy organization Honeycomb is implementing a one-year pilot project focused on teen giving at Adat Ari El in the San Fernando Valley, Congregation Ner Tamid in the South Bay, Sinai Temple in Westwood and University Synagogue in Irvine.
The initiative is called LAunchpad: The Los Angeles Synagogue Incubator for Youth Philanthropy.
“Judaism teaches us that tzedakah, actions of justice, is the path of righteousness,” Sinai Temple Rabbi Erez Sherman said. “Sinai Temple is proud to participate in the Honeycomb LAunchpad, to teach our teenagers, the future of the Jewish community, that their actions as young adults can matter today.”
The new program is transforming young people into sophisticated philanthropists, equipping them with tools for enacting civic and social change. Honeycomb is providing a total of $70,000 to the four participating synagogues, working closely with the congregations and staff on curriculums, resources and trainings.
“We are thrilled to bring this level of support to these synagogues so they can host the highest quality Jewish youth philanthropy programs,” Honeycomb Executive Director Wayne Green said. “Now more than ever, young people will have agency to make change in their L.A. community.”
LAunchpad’s primary funder is the Ziering Family Foundation, which was inspired to bring this opportunity to Los Angeles-area synagogues after seeing the successes of youth philanthropy programming at their synagogue, Kehillat Israel, in Pacific Palisades.
“The youth philanthropy program at Kehillat Israel, which started 10 years ago with seed funding from the Ziering Family Foundation, has been the most transformative program for post b’nai mitzvah teens at the synagogue,” Ziering Family Foundation Trustee Rosanne Ziering said.
The New York-based Honeycomb is the teen philanthropy arm of Jewish Funders Network. For additional information, contact Honeycomb Senior Program Director Danielle Segal at danielle@honeycomb.org.
On Oct. 30, the West Coast chapter of American Friends of Beit Issie Shapiro held its annual gala, “Celebrating Our Differences Together,” at Sinai Temple.
Photo by Orly Halevy
More than 250 of leaders, dignitaries, celebrities and supporters acknowledged the inspiring work and admirable impact of Beit Issie Shapiro on the lives of more than 500,000 people globally. Local philanthropist and business leader Barak Raviv presented the “Legacy Award” to Stacy and Uri Blackman. The two honorees serve on the Friends of Beit Issie Shapiro board.
Beit Issie Shapiro is an Israeli-based nonprofit and a pioneering leader and innovator in the field of disabilities and inclusion. It empowers people with extraordinary abilities to lead full lives through innovation, research, and knowledge sharing.
Food, entertainment and event production was provided by Pat’s Catering, Allen G. and Kasha Music and the Chameleon Garden Floral Design.
Courtesy of L.A. Jewish Health
The board of directors of the Guardians, a volunteer support group of Los Angeles Jewish Health, has named Anthony Behar its new president.
Behar, who was unanimously confirmed, will be serving in this role for the next two years.
Behar has been involved with the Guardians in several leadership roles over the course of nearly three decades.
The focus of the Guardians is to raise funds and support for the seniors served by L.A. Jewish Health, an organization that cares for 4,000 older adults each year. L.A. Jewish Health, formerly known as the Los Angeles Jewish Home, is the largest nonprofit, single-source provider of comprehensive senior healthcare in the Greater Los Angeles area.
“I am honored and grateful to be serving as Guardians president,” Behar, a commercial real estate broker, said. “The organization has a very special place in my heart. At one point, I had seven great aunts and uncles living at the Jewish Home, and I saw the amazing care and support they received. The Guardians gives us a chance to have an impact on the lives of thousands of seniors in our community, while also providing opportunities to develop long lasting friendships and participate in top-notch events. There are many extraordinary people who served before me in this role and I hope to meet and exceed what they have done for Los Angeles Jewish Health.”
Behar lives in Encino with his wife and two children.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.