Simchat Torah in the Valley 2024: Finding Joy Amidst Sorrow
The San Fernando Valley burst into life with an unprecedented celebration of Simchat Torah this year, even as the Jewish community grappled with profound sorrow. As Jews gathered to mark the completion and renewal of the Torah reading cycle, they faced the challenge of balancing celebration with grief following the October 7th Hamas attack on […]
A Season of Sacred Celebration: JLIC UCLA Transforms Campus Life During High Holidays
The halls of UCLA bustled with spiritual energy as Rabbi Aryeh and Sharona Kaplan orchestrated a remarkable series of High Holiday and Sukkot celebrations this fall. The JLIC directors transformed the campus into a vibrant center of Jewish life, weaving together prayer, learning, and community. Students streamed into daily minyanim throughout Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, […]
Celebrating Sukkot in Style: Beit Hashoeva Sukkah Party Lights Up Los Angeles
On Saturday, October 19, the vibrant Jewish community of Los Angeles came together for an unforgettable evening of music, spirituality, and camaraderie at the JLIC West Beit Hashoeva Sukkah Party. Hosted at a private residence, this event brought the joy and essence of Sukkot to life in a way that resonated with young adults seeking […]
Selichot Live: A Tradition of Inspiration for Los Angeles Young Professionals
For the past seven years, Los Angeles has witnessed a unique tradition that has brought young Jewish professionals together in the weeks leading up to Rosh Hashanah. Organized by Parham Javaherizadeh, a dedicated UCLA JLIC and Yavneh Fellow who is now a practicing attorney, this series of Saturday night Selichot events has become a cornerstone […]
Finding Love and Overcoming Obstacles—A JLIC & Yavneh Young Professionals Event
On Sunday, August 4th, 2024, over 75 young professionals gathered in the Los Angeles area for a transformative evening titled “How to Attract Your Soulmate & What Really Gets in the Way.” Hosted by Rabbi Moshe Yakoby of Get Matched and in partnership with JLIC Yavneh West Coast, Aish and Hachal Moshe, the event provided […]
Navigating Love and Tradition: The Story Behind Yavneh – JLIC Valley Hub’s Dating Events
In the heart of the San Fernando Valley, amidst the bustling campus of California State University Northridge (CSUN), lies a community striving to uphold tradition while embracing modernity. David and Shanna Kashani, directors of the Yavneh – JLIC Valley Hub, have taken on a unique mission: to guide Persian Jews through the maze of dating […]
Standing Strong: West Coast Jewish Students Unite for Shabbat of Unity
In the face of adversity, there’s an undeniable strength that emerges when people come together in unity. Over the past weeks, Jewish students on the West Coast have stood tall amidst a storm of antisemitism and anti-Israel protests on their campuses. Despite the challenges, they refuse to be intimidated or silenced. Instead, they rallied together […]