News & Insights

JFS Gala Honoree Spotlight: Michael S. Gendler | Susie Forer-Dehrey Spirit of Humanity Award

March 2022

Michael S. Gendler is a founding member of Gendler & Kelly, where he represents actors, writers, producers, and directors, including Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Chris Pine and Shonda Rhimes.

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Jewish Family Service LA to Provide Special Passover Programs and Services

March 2022

As Passover approaches, Jewish Family Service LA will be providing special programs and services for people across the community.

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Jewish Family Service LA Connects Survivors of the Holocaust with UCLA Students

March 2022

The program gives students the opportunity to connect with someone who experienced the Holocaust firsthand, helps ensure survivors’ stories are told and not forgotten, and encourages students to speak out when they see modern day injustices occurring.

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The Art Committee Bringing Life and Warmth to the JFS Gunther-Hirsh Family Center

February 2022

While on a trip to Israel with other members of the Jewish Family Service LA Board of Directors several years ago, Irene Ribner visited the Benny & Lotty Reich Community Center for Senior Citizens in Tel Aviv. Touring the facility, Irene was moved by its vibrant and warm environment. “There was art on the walls…

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Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff Visits JFS SOVA Food Pantry

February 2022

On January 21st, Mr. Douglas Emhoff, the Second Gentleman of the United States, met with volunteers at the JFS SOVA Community Food & Resource Program food pantry in Van Nuys. During his visit, Mr. Emhoff spoke with volunteers and helped pack groceries for SOVA clients. For Mr. Emhoff, a Los Angeles native with deep roots…

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Board Spotlight: Josh Passman

February 2022

Josh Passman is a member of the Jewish Family Service LA Board of Directors and vice-chair of Resource Development. He attended Pitzer College where he majored in Sociology and went on to receive his J.D. from Southwestern Law School. He now owns his own estate planning law practice, The Law Office of Josh Passman.

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Volunteer & Donor Profile: Esther Krisman

January 2022

Esther Krisman came to Los Angeles, by way of London, after spending many years traveling with The Royal Ballet, as the Executive Assistant to the Director of the Royal Ballet Company until his retirement. After his retirement, she left the company and decided to vacation in Los Angeles, where she had many friends. One of those friends happened to be William Matthew Byrne, Jr., Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

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Unsung Heroes: The Hirsh Family Kosher Kitchen Staff

January 2022

In 2021, Jewish Family Service LA’s Senior Nutrition Program provided over 312,000 meals to seniors and people with disabilities through home delivery and grab-and-go pick-up sites, an average of 26,000 meals each month. The majority of these meals are prepared by the staff of the Hirsh Family Kosher Kitchen, a dedicated and close-knit team of ten individuals who make everything from scratch (except for the bread). The herculean efforts of this small team are a reminder of the many individuals who give so much of themselves to make the agency’s invaluable work possible.

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JFS SOVA Rescues Groceries to Help Feed Angelenos

January 2022

In an effort to reduce food waste and address food insecurity, the California Senate introduced Bill 1383. This bill will ensure that consumable surplus food will instead go to food banks, soup kitchens, and other food recovery organizations to help feed Californians in need. As one of the few food pantries in Los Angeles with access to refrigerated trucks, cold storage, and multiple places of distribution, the JFS SOVA Community Food & Resource Program has the ability to accept, process, and distribute these rescued foods on a larger scale.

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With Tech 4 You, JFS Helps Older Adults Get Online

December 2021

Jewish Family Service LA’s latest innovative program, Tech 4 You, is designed to help older adults become better acquainted with technology, specifically programs like Zoom, with the help of dedicated staff who will visit them in their home. With this technical assistance, JFSLA hopes to connect more older adults to our online programming.