Broadcasting icon Fritz Coleman hosted JVS SoCal’s recent Strictly Business Awards Dinner. Courtesy of JVS SoCal On June 1, JVS SoCal’s 24th annual Strictly Business Awards Dinner, held at the Skirball Cultural Center, honored outstanding individuals and corporations in the community who have set the standard for social responsibility and philanthropy.
JVS SoCal presented this year’s Corporate Partnership Award to RadNet, a national leader in outpatient imaging, delivering high-quality, cost-effective solutions at its 375 centers.
“RadNet has been an outstanding partner in our mission to empower people through sustainable employment,” JVS SoCal’s Chief Executive Officer Jeff Carr said. “We are delighted to recognize an organization that takes a chance on our program participants by hiring them upon graduation.”
Additional honorees included Barbara and Tom Leanse, steadfast leaders and active volunteers in the JVS SoCal Women’s Leadership Network and the JVS Scholarship. The two received the Founder’s Award.
JVS SoCal also recognized Laura Behary, a program participant who launched a second career after raising children; Shantell Polk, a mother of six who battled economic hardship to pursue a career in healthcare; and Ernesto Sanchez, a client who came to JVS for support in re-entry after being impacted by the justice system. The three individuals were Inspiration Award recipients.
Hosted by local broadcasting icon Fritz Coleman, the recent event raised $1.5 million for career and workforce development.
Formerly known as Jewish Vocational Service, JVS SoCal is a nonprofit, non-sectarian social service agency, providing job training, career services, mentoring and placement assistance to diverse and multicultural populations. The organization has 20 locations across Southern California.
The 2023 cohort of Birthright Israel Excel, which includes six students from Los Angeles, kicked off with an opening cocktail reception at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
Birthright Israel Excel is a prestigious lifelong fellowship in business and technology. This year’s cohort features 64 extraordinary college students from around the world who will be spending the summer in Israel. Students from 11 countries are participating. Nearly 45 participants are from the United States.
According to Birthright Israel, about 30 percent of the students in this year’s cohort are visiting Israel for the first time, which meets one of the program’s goals: connecting with less-affiliated Jewish students.
The initiative aims to cultivate the next generation of Jewish business leaders. Each year, the fellowship carefully selects top students from hundreds of applicants for summer internships with leading business and tech companies in Tel Aviv. Students receive hands-on work experience interning throughout each Israeli workweek, Sunday through Thursday. They also enjoy weekend trips as a group traveling throughout the country.
The opening cocktail reception event was held June 18.
On May 11, the Tower Cancer Research Center (TCRF) held its 21st annual “Tower of Hope” gala at the Beverly Hilton.
Actor, director and producer Jonathan Silverman emceed the lavish affair, which brought together more than 300 guests to recognize two distinguished leaders in the Southern California medical community: Dr. Martin Hopp and Dr. Carey Strom.
The evening included moving and inspirational stories of cancer hope, healing and survival, recognized several scientists who received grants for their research from TCRF earlier this year and raised more than $1 million for TCRF.
The organization’s mission is to advance groundbreaking cancer research and support people affected by the disease.
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