Nearly 25 Jewish educators—including three from the Los Angeles area representing Valley Beth Shalom synagogue, the Israeli Jewish Community Center (ISJCC) and California State University Long Beach—recently returned from Jewish National Fund-USA and Alexander Muss High School in Israel’s Educators’ Mission to Israel, where participants spent eight immersive days exploring the realities of Israel and strengthening their ability to inspire the next generation of Zionists.
Through visits to JNF-USA initiatives across Israel’s north and south and experiential learning, the Los Angeles participants gained new perspectives and resources to bring Israel education back to their schools and communities.
The annual mission was organized in collaboration with Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL-JNF) as part of its Worldwide Education Seminar, which brought together more than 200 educational leaders. Throughout the week, participants experienced JNF-USA’s impact in action, exploring how initiatives across Israel strengthen communities and enhance quality of life. The educators examined these efforts through the lens of Jewish values, exploring how Jewish responsibility, community, resilience, service, Zionism and quality of life are put into action and can become meaningful lessons for their students.
As summer draws to a close, Camp Alonim brought adults back to camp for “Wine and Song,” a feel-good outdoor gathering of Alonim alumni families held at American Jewish University’s Brandeis-Bardin Campus in Simi Valley.
The Aug. 23 evening of music, laughter and community brought together those with firsthand knowledge of the unique magic of Camp Alonim, AJU’s beloved pluralistic summer camp. Appearing on the camp’s Alonia Stage, participating musicians and community leaders included Mishkon Tephilo Rabbi Josh Katzan; Leo Baeck Temple Senior Rabbi Ken Chasen; and Rabbi Karen Beder.
The program featured a kosher wine tasting and live music. Attendees turned out with picnic dinners and settled in on blankets and lawn chairs as they enjoyed the performance of husband-and-wife musical duo Jamie and Jared Stein and others.
Ultimately, those who attended said it felt good to see familiar faces in a setting where they feel a shared love, bond and attachment—a place where so many positive early memories were formed.
“The evening provided a rare opportunity to reconnect with alumni, camp families and friends who know there’s nothing quite like coming back to Alonim,” an event organizer said. “There’s nothing quite like the camp spirit that brings us all together again.”
The event was organized by members of the Camp Alonim alumni committee, including Alissa David, Lisa Niver, Ari Bloom, Alisha Pedowitz, Annie Austin and Aliza Sokolow.
More than 700 community members came together in Jewish joy for Shabbat in the Park, on Aug. 14, under an open Valley sky at de Toledo High School. The evening was a powerful celebration of Jewish unity, community and tradition, in partnership with more than 25 Valley Jewish organizations and synagogues. It included an interdenominational Kabbalat Shabbat service, a candle lighting ceremony, a vibrant drum circle, live music, arts and crafts and activities for children and families.
