On March 4th, 2025 Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBKLA) buzzed with incredible energy as 50 passionate graduate students and faculty members rolled up their sleeves and packed a whopping 300 meals for those in need! The atmosphere was electric—music playing, laughter echoing through the kitchen, and genuine enthusiasm fueling every moment. Under the dynamic leadership of Rabbi Aryeh and Sharona Kaplan from JLIC at UCLA, what began as a modest plan for 40 participants exploded into something far more spectacular!
“What we witnessed at OBKLA wasn’t just meal preparation—it was Jewish values in action,” reflected Rabbi Kaplan. “Seeing students from different schools and backgrounds come together, forming connections while serving the community, represents the very essence of what JLIC strives to create. This event exemplified our belief that meaningful community building happens when we step outside ourselves to help others. The energy in that kitchen was electric, and I’m incredibly proud of Vita, Brittney, and all the students who transformed their compassion into tangible support for those in need. This is what building a vibrant Jewish campus life looks like—purposeful, joyful, and profoundly impactful.”
The unstoppable dental school duo, Vita Davydov and Brittney Abdi, masterminded this amazing initiative with bold vision and boundless heart. Following the event, Vita couldn’t contain her gratitude: “Thank you again for all of your efforts in helping Brittney and I make this event come to life. We really appreciate you and please send our sincerest thanks to the sponsors as well. Please thank your wife Sharona as well. It was soo nice to finally meet her!” This heartfelt appreciation underscores the collaborative spirit that made the evening such a success.
Not only did they aim to bring much-needed relief to community members affected by devastating fires, but they also sparked something magical between UCLA’s dental school and UCLA Law students. The connections made over chopping, stirring, and packaging were nothing short of inspirational!
Talk about diversity in action! The room was a beautiful blend of backgrounds and disciplines—future dentists working alongside law students, professors exchanging stories with students, and everyone finding common ground in service. The energy was contagious as high-fives were exchanged over perfectly packed meal containers and spontaneous dance breaks kept spirits soaring throughout the evening.
JLIC’s mission of building vibrant student communities came alive in the most delicious way possible! The two-hour whirlwind at OBKLA’s West Pico Boulevard location proved that when you mix equal parts purpose and fun, amazing things happen. Participants weren’t just packing meals—they were creating memories, forging friendships, and discovering the pure joy that comes from giving back.
The kitchen became a hub of creativity and teamwork as assembly lines formed spontaneously, friendly competitions emerged (“Who can pack the fastest?”), and cheers erupted each time another batch of meals was completed. Students who arrived as strangers left as friends, exchanging contact information and already planning their next volunteer adventure together.
This wasn’t just any service event—it was a JLIC spectacular that transformed a regular Tuesday night into an unforgettable experience of community, purpose, and action! As one participant exclaimed while boxing up the 300th meal, “This is what college life should be about—making a difference together and having an absolute blast while doing it!”
Reach out to any of our Directors to learn more about JLIC and to support our programming.
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