On Oct. 20, Valley Beth Shalom, in partnership with Jewish Federation Los Angeles and Bel Air Church, hosted a timely and thought-provoking conversation with Israeli journalist and political analyst Haviv Rettig Gur.
Appearing before a crowd of approximately 800 attendees at the Encino synagogue, Gur participated in discussion with VBS Senior Rabbi Nolan Lebovitz and Rev. Dr. Drew Sams, senior pastor of Bel Air Church. The three explored how to better understand where Israel stands today and how we move forward with a sense of renewed hope in an increasingly complex Middle East.
Gur, a contributor at The Times of Israel and The Free Press, also discussed his approach to journalism while covering such nuanced topics as Israel and U.S. foreign policy in the Mideast.
“It was an incredible night,” VBS leadership said of the event, which was the inaugural edition of LA Federation’s “Perspectives: A Forum for Diverse Thought and Deeper Understanding.”
Four outstanding Jewish day school educators in Los Angeles received a surprise last month when they learned at schoolwide celebrations that they had been selected for the prestigious Jewish Educator Award, which includes an unrestricted $18,000 cash prize.
This year’s recipients were Becca Furer, director of student services at Sinai Akiba Academy; Randi Moss, associate director and fifth/sixth grade lead teacher at Brawerman East Elementary School; Michelle Klein, a Judaic studies teacher and seminary guidance advisory at Valley Torah High School Girls Division; and Rabbi Mordechai McKenney, a second-grade Judaic studies rebbe at Yeshivat Yavneh.
Created by Lowell Milken in 1990, the initiative is a partnership between the Milken Family Foundation and Builders of Jewish Education (BJE) that recognizes K-12 educators whose work and commitment at BJE-affiliated day schools strengthen Jewish learning in greater L.A.
Milken Family Foundation Executive Vice President Richard Sandler, joined by BJE Chief Executive Officer Miriam Heller Stern, notified each recipient in front of students, colleagues and school communities to recognize the educators’ contributions and impact.
“Jewish education extends far beyond classroom walls. Outstanding educators, and the Jewish day schools they serve, prepare young people to be future community leaders and to lead meaningful lives,” Sandler said. “Becca Furer, Michelle Klein, Rabbi Mordechai McKenney and Randi Moss represent the excellence happening in Jewish day schools every day. Their teaching of Torah connects students to their faith, community and Jewish values and traditions they will uphold and pass down to future generations.”
Community leaders and family members of the 2026 Jewish Educator Award recipients will come together for an awards luncheon on Dec. 10. The inclusive event brings together leaders across LA’s Jewish community, from the most secular to the most Orthodox.
