Jewish Journal Publisher David Suissa delivers inspiring remarks to rabbis of all denominations at the inaugural Rabbis United Conference at Sinai Temple. Courtesy of StandWithUs Rabbis United, a new division of StandWithUs, held its inaugural conference on Jan. 30 at Sinai Temple.
Attendees included rabbis from the Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Chabad streams of Judaism who gathered for 12 hours to learn about the free resources available at StandWithUs, a pro-Israel education organization.
In a show of interdenominational unity around supporting Israel and combating antisemitism, the rabbis participated in discussions with StandWithUs’ international experts. Sessions ranged from understanding the importance of the adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism to understanding the challenging experiences of Jewish students on high school and middle school campuses.
Presenters also addressed legal avenues for responding to antisemitic assaults on individuals and communities, as well as understanding the record of antisemitism at the United Nations and its anti-Israel Commission of Inquiry. The evaluations filled out by the rabbis at the end of the day indicated that they were grateful for this unusual opportunity to gather with their colleagues from different denominations, that they gained knowledge, a sense of collegiality and inspiration, and are looking forward to continued follow-up with Rabbis United, particularly during these challenging times.
ETTA, a leading provider of support services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has named Sam Yebri as the president of its board of directors.
Yebri joined the ETTA board in 2014. He succeeds Kam Babaoff, who served as president for the past seven years.
“It has been my great honor and pleasure to serve as president of the ETTA board,” Babaoff said. “I have truly valued the opportunity to work with such a strong and dedicated team and am confident in Sam’s leadership as we continue to thrive and expand our impact.”
Yebri is an accomplished trial lawyer as well as a civic and nonprofit leader in the Los Angeles Jewish community. He has been involved with a number of organizations, including Bet Tzedek, Jewish Free Loan Association and Builders of Jewish Education. As president of the ETTA board, he will work alongside ETTA Executive Director Michael Held.
“I am incredibly honored to have been selected as ETTA’s next president, and I stand ready to take on this exciting challenge with the passion and unwavering commitment that ETTA’s clients deserve,” Yebri said. “As a proud supporter of ETTA’s mission for nearly 20 years, I believe in our organization’s unique ability to make a real difference in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Los Angeles.”
Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) has named Los Angeles-based wealth manager Fred Gluckman its new national chairman.
Gluckman brings 25 years of executive leadership experience as a people-focused leader and longtime FIDF supporter, according to a spokesperson of the organization.
He began his involvement with the organization a decade ago, when he joined the local Los Angeles board of directors. He has held a role as an executive committee member since 2015, served as national treasurer from 2015-2017, and became the national president in 2021.
Gluckman and his wife, Judy, have two children in college. He runs a family office focused on private equity and real estate in the Los Angeles area, and Judy serves on the boards of multiple businesses and nonprofit businesses.
FIDF offers financial, educational, wellbeing and cultural initiatives to the young men and women serving in the Israel Defense Forces.
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