JNF-USA Golf Classic, Silver Lake Festival, FIDF Camp

More than 120 philanthropists, corporate executives and golf aficionados spent a day on the greens at the Riviera Country Club to raise money for charity at Jewish National Fund-USA’s (JNF-USA) annual David Frank Memorial Golf Classic, Presented by Advanced Nutrients.The July 31 event was hosted in memory of the late David Frank, a local philanthropic legend and the tournament’s namesake.

Brett Bossuk and Joe Rosen co-chaired the tournament, which raised funds to support the organization’s bold and visionary initiatives that are strengthening communities and improving the quality of life for residents living in Israel’s Negev and Galilee regions. 

One such initiative that will benefit from the charitable investments is JNF-USA’s Special in Uniform, the only program of its kind in the world that integrates teenagers with disabilities into various sectors of the Israeli military, where they serve according to their unique talents and abilities.

Additional supporters of the event included entrepreneur and philanthropist Michael Straumietis of Advanced Nutrients.

“I am a huge advocate of inclusion, and I’ve always been driven to help others achieve what may seem at first like an impossible feat,” Straumietis said. “Jewish National Fund-USA’s mission is extremely close to my heart. I know first-hand the type of people and projects our philanthropic dollars will support, so it’s an honor to sponsor this annual golf classic and play a part in the future successes of these young adults.”

The Silver Lake neighborhood celebrated its diversity with a new music and cultural event, the Silver Lake Jewish Festival. The Aug. 6 festival offered a unique recognition of the music, traditions and foods that Jewish people celebrate and enjoy.

Organized by Chabad of Greater Los Feliz, the family-friendly event featured live music, food vendors and cultural crafts as well as a kids’ zone and adult zone. People of all ages came out to enjoy a day in the sun while around arts-loving members of the community.

Twenty bereaved Israeli teens, who enjoyed a meaningful and action-packed ten-day stay as part of the Friends of the IDF (FIDF) Legacy Summer Camp, returned home with amazing memories and lifelong friendships.

A signature FIDF program run in partnership with Yad Bonim and the IDF, FIDF Legacy Camp provides a chance for bereaved children to spend time with other campers and counselors who have lost family members while in service, and to simply feel joy again. 

This year’s program was hosted by FIDF’s Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Philadelphia/South Jersey chapters, from July 11-25. Programming included a pool party at an FIDF supporter’s home in Philadelphia; a visit to Washington, D.C., where the campers toured the capital and enjoyed Shabbat with the D.C. community; sightseeing in New York City; and a meet and greet with former NBA star Michael Sweetney.

“The D.C. chapter has championed FIDF Legacy Camp as a locally adopted program for nearly 10 years. We are proud to open our homes and hearts and provide these deserving children with a joyful experience along with the opportunity to experience life with the Diaspora Jewish community,” Jennifer Scher, vice president of the FIDF’s Mid-Atlantic Region, said. “We honor their trauma through our supportive environment while also giving them the time and space to just enjoy the play and fun of childhood.”