Legacy, The Jewish Community of Foundation of Los Angeles' newsletter, provides news and information for donors and friends of The Foundation. It includes relevant information about philanthropy, updates on most recent activities and events, donor profiles, and other articles of interest.
VOL. 22 NO. 2 • FALL 2012 • 5773 T he Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles recently awarded $1.1 million in Cutting Edge Grants to five programs that will encourage engagement in the Jewish community, particularly among young adults, children with special needs and Jews who live on the East Side of Los Angeles. Since 2006, the Cutting Edge Grants Initiative has been encouraging creative thinkers, social entrepreneurs and innovative organizations to propose and implement significant and transformative programs of high visibility and impact. Grantees can receive a maximum of $250,000 over three years. Since its inception, the Cutting Edge Grants Initiative has seeded 52 programs with more than $8.5 million. (See pages 4-5 to read about the impact of several programs). Cutting Edge Grants also fund local replications of high-impact programs that have proven successful in other cities. One example is a partnership between The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and the PresenTense Group for PresenTenseLA: The Federation’s Social Entrepreneurs Fellowship. This program, which will train and empower 36 NextGen leaders, has been so successful in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Jerusalem, among other cities, that the Jewish Federation decided to bring it to Los Angeles, and The Foundation awarded a $175,000 Cutting Edge Grant to help it get underway. Additionally, Cutting Edge Grants fund community- wide implementation of an existing local program. Such was the case with Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services for the Vista Inspire Community Inclusion Program, which recently received a $200,000 grant. Its roots are in Vista Del Mar’s Nes Gadol program which received Foundation funding in 2008 to provide Jewish education, specifically b’nai mitzvah training, to youth with special needs. Today, the new Vista Inspire Community Inclusion Program is equipping five area synagogues The Blessing of a Highly Passionate and Creative L.A. Nonprofit Community With all the uncertainty in today’s world—whether it’s with our economy, the upcoming November elections, or the crisis in the Middle East—it’s good to know that one thing is for sure. Here in L.A., we are blessed with a plethora of very committed, creative and talented non-profit professionals who are brimming with innovative ideas and a passion for strengthening our Jewish community. Having just concluded our Cutting Edge Grants application and approval process, which runs nearly 10 months, and after meeting with representatives from a wide variety of causes seeking funding, Continued on back page Marvin I. Schotland PRESIDENT & CEO, JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FROM THE DESK OF Continued on page 2 The Foundation’s 2012 Cutting Edge Grants Awards $1.1 Million to 5 New Programs Printed with vegetable based inks on recycled paper/10% post-consumer recovered fiber. PresenTenseLA:The Federation’s Social Entrepreneurs Fellowship engages Jewish entrepreneurial fellows in leadership and community building. ▲ with tools to include youth with special needs and their families in their communities, and foster growth and development in socialization, spirituality and creativity, through educator training, b’nai mitzvah learning, and religious school integration. Other recipients of 2012 Cutting Edge Grants include Silverlake Independent Jewish Community Center for Culture Lab; American Jewish University for Moledet; and Remember Us for The Righteous Conversations Project. A Glance At What’s Inside: L egacy 1-3 CUTTING EDGE GRANTS NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR DONORS AND FRIENDS OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION A MULTIGENERATIONAL TRADITION OF GIVING: THE SCHULMANS 7 STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION 4-5 These grant recipients represent compelling and dynamic approaches toward involving more people in Jewish activities and enriching the Jewish community.” — Marvin Schotland
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VOL. 22 NO. 2 • FALL 2012 • 5773
The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angelesrecently awarded $1.1 million in Cutting Edge
Grants to five programs that will encourage engagementin the Jewish community, particularly among youngadults, children with special needs and Jews who liveon the East Side of Los Angeles.
Since 2006, the Cutting Edge Grants Initiative hasbeen encouraging creative thinkers, social entrepreneursand innovative organizations to propose and implementsignificant and transformative programs of high visibilityand impact. Grantees can receive a maximum of$250,000 over three years. Since its inception, theCutting Edge Grants Initiative has seeded 52 programswith more than $8.5 million. (See pages 4-5 to readabout the impact of several programs).
Cutting Edge Grants also fund local replications ofhigh-impact programs that have proven successful inother cities. One example is a partnership betweenThe Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angelesand the PresenTense Group for PresenTenseLA: The Federation’s Social Entrepreneurs Fellowship. This program, which will train and empower 36NextGen leaders, has been so successful in Boston,New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Jerusalem,among other cities, that the Jewish Federation decidedto bring it to Los Angeles, and The Foundationawarded a $175,000 Cutting Edge Grant to help it get underway.
Additionally, Cutting Edge Grants fund community-wide implementation of an existing local program.Such was the case with Vista Del Mar Child andFamily Services for the Vista Inspire CommunityInclusion Program, which recently received a$200,000 grant. Its roots are in Vista Del Mar’s Nes Gadol program which received Foundation funding in 2008 to provide Jewish education, specifically b’nai mitzvah training, to youth with special needs. Today, the new Vista Inspire CommunityInclusion Program is equipping five area synagogues
The Blessing of aHighly Passionateand Creative L.A. NonprofitCommunity
With all the uncertaintyin today’s world—whetherit’s with our economy, theupcoming November elections, or the crisis inthe Middle East—it’s good
to know that one thing is for sure. Here in L.A.,we are blessed with a plethora of very committed,creative and talented non-profit professionals whoare brimming with innovative ideas and a passionfor strengthening our Jewish community.
Having just concluded our Cutting Edge Grantsapplication and approval process, which runs nearly10 months, and after meeting with representativesfrom a wide variety of causes seeking funding,
Continued on back page
Marvin I. SchotlandPRESIDENT & CEO, JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
F ROM THE D E SK O F
Continued on page 2
The Foundation’s 2012 CuttingEdge Grants Awards $1.1 Million to 5 New Programs
Printed with vegetable based inks on recycled paper/10% post-consumer recovered fiber.
PresenTenseLA: The Federation’s Social Entrepreneurs Fellowship engagesJewish entrepreneurial fellows in leadership and community building.
▲
with tools to include youth with special needs andtheir families in their communities, and foster growthand development in socialization, spirituality and creativity, through educator training, b’nai mitzvahlearning, and religious school integration.
Other recipients of 2012 Cutting Edge Grantsinclude Silverlake Independent JewishCommunity Center for Culture Lab; AmericanJewish University for Moledet; and Remember Usfor The Righteous Conversations Project.
A Glance At What’s Inside:
Le
ga
cy
1-3CUTTING EDGE GRANTS
NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR DONORS AND FRIENDS OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
A MULTIGENERATIONALTRADITION OF GIVING: THE SCHULMANS
7
STORIES OFTRANSFORMATION 4-5
These grant recipients represent compelling and dynamicapproaches toward involving more people in Jewish activities and enriching the Jewish community.”
2 0 1 2 CU T T ING EDGE GRANT R EC I P I EN T S AT A G LANCE2
REMEMBER US, for The Righteous Conversations Project ($225,000).To bring together Los Angeles teens withHolocaust survivors for meaningful dialogue focused on personal stories of social injustice, with the goal of inspiring the teens to participate in social activism.www.rememberusprojects.org
JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER LOS ANGELES, for PresenTenseLA: The Federation’s SocialEntrepreneurs Fellowship ($175,000).To recruit, train and mentor Jewish entrepreneurial fellows to launch ventures leading to new pathways for Jewish engagement and community building. www.jewishla.org/PresenTenseLA
AMERICAN JEWISH UNIVERSITY,for Moledet ($250,000).To provide programming that strengthens BirthrightIsrael alumni engagement with the broader Jewishcommunity. www.ajula.org
The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angelesawarded $1.1 million in Cutting Edge Grants to five outstanding, local nonprofits whose programsencourage engagement in the Jewish community,particularly among young adults, youth and families with special needs in our community, and Jews who live on the East Side of Los Angeles.
This generous Foundation grant will allow us to build on the success of the Birthright Israelprogram…to nurture and grow the passion for Israel thatparticipants feel upon returninghome. It is a valuable investmentin our youth, our culture and our future.”
— Dr. Gady Levy, Dean, Whizin Center andVice President, American Jewish University
We are delighted to partner again with The Foundation tolaunch PresenTenseLA. We are veryexcited about nurturing andtraining the next generation ofentrepreneurs who will be shapingthe Los Angeles Jewish communityfor years to come.”— Jay Sanderson, President and CEO, The Jewish Federation
We are grateful to The Foundationfor giving us the necessary supportto expand our pilot program of remembrance and socialaction to a vibrant program ofteen-survivor interaction in the Los Angeles area.”
— Samara Hutman, Executive Director, Remember Us
g .
VISTA DEL MAR CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES, for Vista Inspire Community InclusionProgram ($200,000).To equip a group of L.A.-based synagogueswith tools to more systematically and effectively include youth with special needsand their families in our community.www.vistadelmar.org
SILVERLAKE INDEPENDENT JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER, for Culture Lab ($250,000).To engage thousands of young adult “East Side Jews” from the neighborhoodssurrounding Silverlake through events anddiverse cultural and creative programmingthat explores Jewish themes. www.sijcc.net
Thanks to The Foundation’s generous support, we are taking a significant step toward becoming the premiere Jewish arts and culture center on LA’s East Side.”
— Ayana Morse, Associate Director, Silverlake Independent Jewish Community Center
For more information on The Foundation’s 2012 Cutting Edge Grant awards,visit: www.jewishfoundationla.org/grantsawarded
Congratulations to Our 2012 CuttingEdge Grant Recipients!
Thanks to the generous grantfrom The Jewish CommunityFoundation, we will be able tohelp change the way disabilityis perceived and foster inclusion in synagogue life. Weare ALL created in G-d’s image.”
— Elaine Hall, Director, Vista Inspire Program, Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services
Our Grants. Their Journeys: Personal StoriesSince 2006, The Foundation’s Cutting Edge Grants havefunded 52 innovative programs that have touched thousandsof lives. These programs, initiated by social entrepreneursand forward-thinking organizations, have been selected asgrant recipients because of their capacity to transform the Los Angeles Jewish community.
In this issue of Legacy—and in others to follow—we will tellthe stories of individuals whose lives have been set on a newpath. You’ll meet young men and women who have found
new ways to connect with their Jewish heritage; mothers whohave discovered different approaches to introduce their childrento Jewish life; and a community that continues to stay connect-ed across generations to find their voice in the L.A.—and theAmerican—Jewish community.
It’s been said that the longest journey begins with a singlestep. Sometimes it also begins with a Cutting Edge Grant.
Lee Decker Lee Decker and Fabian Lijtmaer
have much in common. They are young, creative and appreciative of Jewish culture, but not traditionally observant. And both have deepened their connection to Judaism through Jewlicious Journeys.
Lee, 20, grew up in Sherman Oaks in a traditional Jewish family. He is currently a student at Santa Monica College and head of DekD Media Group, which provides web design, web videoproduction and online marketing services.
Last summer, Lee attended the Jewlicious SummerFest—which he says is a combination of summer camp, a music festival and aShabbaton—held at Camp Alonim, which happens to be where hespent his summers as a child. Seeking a weekend of fun, friends andmusic at an affordable price, he discovered all that and more.
“I hadn’t realized that it was going to be a Shabbat weekend,” hesays. “I had almost forgotten what Shabbat was. The whole experiencewas nostalgic. It reminded me that I owe so much to my Jewish faithand my culture, and I think it’s about time I start giving back.”
As a result of his experienceswith Jewlicious Journeys, Lee is currently volunteering at Jewish Big Brothers Big Sistersfundraisers and plans to become aJewish Big Brother in the future.
Fabian LijtmaerBorn in New York of
Argentinian parents, Fabian Lijtmaer,38, moved to L.A. in 2011. Herecently completed the Leadershipand Change Master’s program at Antioch University.
“My parents don’t believe in God, so it’s been a long journey towhere I am now, and that journey is continuing,” he says. “I becameinterested in spirituality and Buddhism at the end of my college career. A friend encouraged me to explore my own roots before embracinganother tradition. Connecting to Hashem within a Jewish framework is really exciting to me.”
Fabian discovered Jewlicious Journeys during Rosh Hashanah last year,when he attended a Tashlich ceremony at the Santa Monica Pier. “WhenI heard Rabbi Yonah Bookstein blow the shofar, it was the most powerful shofar blowing I had ever heard. I felt like it was breaking downbarriers inside me, and opening up a new gateway for the coming year.”
Like Lee, Fabian camped out last August at the JewliciousSummerFest. “It really helped to build community for me,” he says. “I am trying to nurture those connections. A group of us met recentlyfor a Shabbat ceremony on the beach; it was a direct result of theJewlicious event. Because of the music and the laid back way thatJewlicious connects with Jewish tradition, it opens up new doors.”
To learn more about Jewlicious Journeys, visit: www.jconnectla.com
of
Young, Hip, and Holding on to their Heritage
Jewlicious Journeys
The Foundation awarded a $200,000Cutting Edge Grant to JConnect in 2010 for Jewlicious Journeys, to create a series of festivals that would connect young adults to their Jewish identity through a celebration of Jewish culture, art and music.
It was like a Jewish Coachella.”— Lee Decker, describing the Jewlicious SummerFest
Jewlicious, which focuses on strengthening ties with unaffiliated Jews, received a Foundation Cutting Edge Grant in 2010.▲
Rabbi Yonah Bookstein(C) of Jewlicious Journeysand his team is connectingyoung adults to theirJewish identity and toeach other through eventsthat are both meaningfuland fun.
When a child is diagnosed with a developmentaldisability, the family often feels immediately isolated.For Judy Mark and her husband, Allen Erenbaum, that day came 14 years ago when their son, Joshua, was diagnosed with autism at age 2½. Living in Washington, D.C. at the time, the family returned to their native Los Angeles to benefit from much needed family support.
In Washington D.C., Judy’s activities and friendships had revolvedaround her Reconstructionist synagogue. Now, the challenge was simplyto find a synagogue where their daughter, Emma, could maintain herJewish education and where their son would be comfortable attendingservices.
“We were willing to go to any lengths for Joshua to be acceptedamong his peers,” Judy remembers. “But we were sure that he could nothave a Jewish education.”
Then one day, friends invited Judy and Allen to the bar mitzvah oftheir autistic son. “We asked, ‘How can he have a bar mitzvah?’ And theytold us about Nes Gadol.” (Nes Gadol is Hebrew for “Great Miracle.”)
Accompanied by a behavioral aide, Joshua attended weekly classes at Nes Gadol and private sessions with Rabbi Jackie Redner, theRabbi in Residence for Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services.Through the Nes Gadol program, both Joshua and his parents have foundcommunity.“Joshua loves being there,” Judy reports. “All the Nes Gadolfamilies talk in shorthand, because we all know the struggle, and we aregenerous and kind to each other. I’ve become close friends with a lot of them.”
On July 3, 2010, more than 200 people witnessed Joshua’s bar mitzvah. The room was filled with people who had brought him to thatday, including his pediatrician, psychiatrist, social workers, babysitters,and friends and family from around the world. Joshua recited his Torah
Joshua decorated his tallit, as well as kippotfor the entire congregation.
portion from memory, and readthe rest of the service. He evenmade colorful kippot for theentire congregation and decoratedhis tallit with Mickey Mouse andother Disneyland characters. “Itwas the greatest day of my life,”remembers Judy. “It was such anincredibly joyous day.”
With new Foundation funding, Nes Gadol is now being replicatedand brought to synagogues, so that youth with autism spectrum disorder and other special needs and their families can be more fully included in community life. The new program is called the Vista InspireCommunity Inclusion Program and recently received a $200,000Cutting Edge Grant to get off the ground (see page 3 for more information).
“It’s the logical next step,” says Judy. “Nes Gadol has been a goodplace for unaffiliated families. Now the synagogues will have some ofthese tools so that families in our own communities can get this extrahelp in the comfort of their own congregations.’”
Says Judy, “Nes Gadol is changing the lives of these kids.”
To learn more about Nes Gadol and the Vista Inspire Program at
Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, visit: www.vistadelmar.org
Nes Gadol
In 2008, The Foundation awarded Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services a $250,000 Cutting Edge Grant forNes Gadol, a creative, multi-sensory program which provides a Jewish educational experience, specifically b’neimitzvah training, to participants withautism spectrum disorder and other special needs.
Joshua Erenmark (R) with his parents, Judy Markand Allen Erenbaum (L), and sister, Emma.
Joshua Erenmark (R) with Rabbi Jackie Rednerof Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services.▲
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It was the greatest day of my life...an incredibly joyous day.”— Judy Mark, describing the bar mitzvah of her autistic son, Joshua.
of Transformation Made Possible by Previous Grants
6 DES IGN ING PH I LANTHROP I C SO LUT IONS FOR YOU
The Benefits of Engaging Your Children andGrandchildren in Giving
▲
Amelia Xann, The Foundation’s Vice President of the Center for Designed Philanthropy.
Practical Tips to Engage the Entire Familyin GivingIt’s helpful for a family to “get out in the world withtheir giving” and have hands-on experiences in theworld of philanthropy.
Some practical suggestions include:
� planning family volunteer outings
� attending educational events about giving back
� participating in community service projects
� setting up annual giving rituals such as donating a portion of birthday gifts
A Suggestion to Engage Young Family Members: Setting up a JuniorAdvisory BoardAbby Feinman, co-chair of The Foundation’s Center forDesigned Philanthropy Committee, recommends setting up ajunior advisory board to engage younger members of thefamily in philanthropy with the following parameters:
� Allow them to have their own meetings and projects, and some amount of discretionary spending.
� Implement due diligence requirements such as site visits to see their dollars at work.
� Encourage or require that they present grant proposals in front of the full board to build their confidence and presentation skills.
� Identify mentors to help the younger family members learn, while solidifying relationships.
Abby Feinman, attorney with Katten Muchin Rosenman, and co-chair of The Foundation’s Center for Designed PhilanthropyCommittee.
▲
How do I get my kids interested in philanthropy? How can I share with them my values and vision for a brighter tomorrow?
We sat down with Amelia Xann, The Foundation’s Vice Presidentof the Center for Designed Philanthropy and Abby Feinman,attorney with the law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman and co-chairof The Foundation’s Center for Designed Philanthropy Committeeto delve into this topic and hear what the experts have to say.
Family philanthropy can create an enduring legacy reflecting thefamily’s values and can help shape the world in which we live. On a micro level, families can create the opportunity of meaningful engagement with one another through discussion and interactions aboutphilanthropy. In addition, families have found that by including even theyoungest of family members, they can learn to problem solve, developfinancial literacy and donate more thoughtfully and strategically.
“Teaching our children the value of money while they are young and how it can be used for good can have everlasting effects and help them succeed in the world,” said Amelia Xann. “It can help to strengthenthe family by ensuring transparency of the family’s financials and bydeveloping an appreciation for each person’s areas of interest. In addition,with increased understanding, the children may have a stronger desire tofulfill the parents’ wishes for targeted philanthropy in the future.”
Amelia shared how one of the Center’s clients engaged his entirefamily in their family foundation’s decisions. The children, ranging inage from five to thirteen, were encouraged to participate in thoughtfuldecision making and identify their own areas of interest. Reviewingreports together on how grant funds were being used kept the childrenand parents engaged in giving. The parents established an annual familyretreat—a time for reflection and meaningful decision-making.
“Customization is vital in philanthropy,” explained Abby Feinman, “as no two families are the same or have the same needs.” She emphasizedthat when starting out, it’s important to identify the family’s mission andgoals, while building in the flexibility for how that may evolve over time.
Abby shared an example from one of her clients who had recentlyexperienced a very lucrative IPO. In order to ensure his children wouldbe committed to philanthropy, he worked with Abby to encourage hischildren to dedicate funds over and above a certain amount of profitfrom the stock.
The Jewish Community Foundation can help you determine the best vehicle to meet your family’s philanthropic goals. In addition, The Foundation’s Centerfor Designed Philanthropy helps donors shape meaningful, personalized philanthropic strategies, build consensus among family members, and develop creative solutions to magnify the impact of their giving.
L’Dor Vador: The Schulman Family—A Multigenerational Tradition of Giving
Donor Profile: Marcia and Richard Schulman
7L EAV ING A L EGACY
If you recognize the names of Richard Schulman’s parents, Mark and Esther Schulman, it’s probably because of how this generous
couple left an indelible mark on the L.A. Jewish community. But perhapsmore inspiring than their material legacy is their spiritual one: a strongcommitment to philanthropy that thrives today in their children,Richard and Roberta, their six grandchildren, and their 15 great-grand-children. With help from the Jewish Community Foundation to shapetheir enduring legacy, the Schulman name will continue its prominencein supporting the community for generations to come.
How It All Started—Esther & Mark Schulman, of Blessed Memory
Richard Schulman remembers his late parents’ 72-year marriage as“feisty—but you never saw two people who were more in love witheach other.” Born in Russia, Mark left Europe at age 9 on the last boatout of Germany before World War I. He was selling newspapers on thestreets of Washington, D.C. before the family moved to Los Angeles inthe 1920s. A relative in the meat packing business mentored Mark, who eventually opened his own supermarket, and, over years of hardwork, built up a chain of supermarkets. Esther was from Oakland, andfrequently visited L.A. to spend time with her brother. Through mutual contacts, a blind date wasarranged. Mark was immediatelysmitten and they married in 1931.Despite their busy schedules, theyvolunteered at City of Hope, theLos Angeles Jewish Home, andthe Jewish Federation. “Therewas always talk around the dinnertable of charity and community,”says Richard. “It was a value youpicked up on.”
Marcia & Richard Schulman
When Richard met Marciaduring their college years, hefound his soul mate in more waysthan one. From a modest home,Marcia says that in her familythere was never a question of not giving, even in leaner years, and “notjust in a monetary sense.” Similar to Richard, Marcia calls philanthropy“a family expectation that wasshown by example.” Like his father,Richard was smitten after meetinghis future wife on a blind date.Marcia and Richard were marriedafter graduation—54 years strongand counting!
A Foundation for Giving
The Schulmans began a relationshipwith the Jewish CommunityFoundation more than 20 years agowhen Marcia and Richard openeda donor advised fund, and Mark
We appreciate The Foundation’s help administering our family’s philanthropic endeavors through the decades. We couldn’t do it without them.” — Richard Schulman
and Esther established their family foundation, The Mark and EstherSchulman Foundation. Richard has served on The Foundation’sBoard of Trustees, Advisory Board and various committees. “We appreciate The Foundation’s help administering our family’s philanthropicendeavors through the decades,” says Richard. “We couldn’t do it without them.”
The Next Generations
Marcia and Richard are proud that their children and grandchildrenhave taken an interest in giving back.Like their parents before them, Marciaand Richard have encouraged theirchildren, Teri, Mike and Lisa, to follow in their philanthropic footstepsmainly by example. Similarly, Richard’ssister, Roberta (Schulman) Holland,is also very involved with many philanthropic organizations. She set that same example with her family and her children, Bruce, John andLarry, who have also been involved inthe family’s philanthropy.
Esther and Mark lived to see theirgreat-grandchildren join the family legacy of philanthropy and even integrate giving into their traditions.
Large family gatherings at Rosh Hashana and Chanukah sometimesinclude a charitable facet, like bringing items for filling school backpacksfor homeless kids. Three of their great-grandchildren, Julia, Danielleand Taylor, were instrumental in funding scholarships at Camp HessKramer. Through the years, the Mark and Esther Schulman Foundationhas also supported the Jewish Home, Beit T’Shuvah, AmericanJewish University, Zimmer Children’s Museum, Temple Emanueland Vista del Mar Child and Family Services, among others.
Richard says he sees the younger generations in his own family wideningtheir giving focus to support the community at large, including Jewishnonprofits that serve the community at large as well. “Life isn’t as insularas it was when our parents immigrated in the 1920s when they weren’tas welcome in the general community. It’s all about community andtoday, with more blended families and a more open society, we have amuch bigger community than ours was.”
Richard continued, “The Foundation has helped to focus our family’sphilanthropy through the years. I’m sure my parents would be very proudof their family’s lasting dedication and commitment to their legacy.”
I can tell you that we are not at a loss for great ideas and compellingprojects in L.A. spearheaded by some outstanding nonprofit profes-sionals.
Take, for example, the Vista Inspire Community Inclusion Programled by Elaine Hall, the program’s director. It’s hard to be in a roomwith Elaine and not be inspired by her passion and commitmentto improving the lives of children with special needs. She hasexperienced firsthand the challenges of raising a child with specialneeds. Elaine then applied that experience to pioneer the Vista InspireCommunity Inclusion Program which will now reach out to childrenwith special needs and their families at five area synagogues.
Samara Hutman, executive director of The RighteousConversations Project, is another person whose spirit and single-minded focus is helping to change the lives of young people. Sheinitially became connected with The Righteous Conversations Projectas a parent of a student who participated in the pilot program. Shewas so moved by her daughter’s involvement that Samara ended upaccepting the leadership role for this cause and is now taking theorganization to a new dimension.
When it comes to tapping into members of the artistic communitywho are not conventionally affiliated Jews and connecting themto our tradition in a meaningful fashion, Ayana Morse, associatedirector of the Silverlake JCC, is at the forefront of creativity andinnovation. She leads the Silverlake JCC’s Culture Lab programthat aims to engage 3,000 unaffiliated East Side Jews in moreJewish-themed creative and cultural activities.Ayana is most inspiringin her commitment and her bold vision.
These are just several of the non-profit visionaries who are partof this year’s new Cutting Edge Grants recipients.We congratulateall of them, and gratefully acknowledge everyone who applied fora 2012 Cutting Edge Grant and left us with so much hope andinspiration for the future.
Note:To share with you some of the progress and accomplishments of priorCutting Edge Grant recipients, we will be profiling several in upcomingissues of Legacy, starting with this issue (as you’ll read on pp.4-5).
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From the Desk of Marvin I. Schotland Continued from page 1
ChairLorin M. Fife
President and CEOMarvin I. Schotland
Vice PresidentsKenneth A. AugustLeah M. BishopAnthony ChaninMax Factor, IIIWilliam R. FeilerBertrand I. GinsbergHarold J. MasorScott H. RichlandAlan Stern
