Legacy Newsletter - Fall 2012

VOL. 22 NO. 2

egacy

NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR DONORS AND FRIENDS OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

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FALL 2012

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5773

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PresenTenseLA: The Federation’s Social Entrepreneurs Fellowship engages Jewish entrepreneurial fellows in leadership and community building.

The Foundation’s 2012 Cutting Edge Grants Awards $1.1 Million to 5 New Programs

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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 communitywide 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

A Glance At What’s Inside:

CUTTING EDGE GRANTS

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STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION

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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.

Continued on page 2

FROM THE DESK OF

Marvin I. Schotland PRESIDENT & CEO, JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

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

These grant recipients represent compelling and dynamic approaches toward involving more people in Jewish activities and enriching the Jewish community.”

— Marvin Schotland A MULTIGENERATIONAL TRADITION OF GIVING: THE SCHULMANS

7 Printed with vegetable based inks on recycled paper/10% post-consumer recovered fiber.

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2 0 1 2 C U T T I N G E D G E G R A N T R E C I P I E N T S AT A G L A N C E

The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles awarded $1.1 million in Cutting Edge Grants to five outstanding, local nonprofits whose programs encourage 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 Israel program…to nurture and grow the passion for Israel that participants feel upon returning home. It is a valuable investment in our youth, our culture and our future.”

— Dr. Gady Levy, Dean, Whizin Center and Vice President, American Jewish University

AMERICAN JEWISH UNIVERSITY, for Moledet ($250,000).

To provide programming that strengthens Birthright Israel alumni engagement with the broader Jewish community. www.ajula.org

We are delighted to partner again with The Foundation to launch PresenTenseLA. We are very excited about nurturing and training the next generation of entrepreneurs who will be shaping the Los Angeles Jewish community for years to come.”

— Jay Sanderson, President and CEO, The Jewish Federation

REMEMBER US, for The Righteous Conversations Project ($225,000).

JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER LOS ANGELES, for PresenTenseLA: The Federation’s Social Entrepreneurs 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

To bring together Los Angeles teens with Holocaust 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

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Thanks to the generous grant from The Jewish Community Foundation, we will be able to help change the way disability is perceived and foster inclusion in synagogue life. We are ALL created in G-d’s image.”

VISTA DEL MAR CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES, for Vista Inspire Community Inclusion Program ($200,000).

To equip a group of L.A.-based synagogues with tools to more systematically and effectively include youth with special needs and their families in our community. www.vistadelmar.org

— Elaine Hall, Director, Vista Inspire Program, Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services

We are grateful to The Foundation for giving us the necessary support to expand our pilot program of remembrance and social action to a vibrant program of teen-survivor interaction in the Los Angeles area.”

Congratulations to Our 2012 Cutting Edge Grant Recipients!

— Samara Hutman, Executive Director, Remember Us

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

SILVERLAKE INDEPENDENT JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER, for Culture Lab ($250,000).

To engage thousands of young adult “East Side Jews” from the neighborhoods surrounding Silverlake through events and diverse cultural and creative programming that explores Jewish themes. www.sijcc.net

For more information on The Foundation’s 2012 Cutting Edge Grant awards, visit: www.jewishfoundationla.org/grantsawarded

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STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION

Our Grants. Their Journeys: Personal Stories Since 2006, The Foundation’s Cutting Edge Grants have funded 52 innovative programs that have touched thousands of lives. These programs, initiated by social entrepreneurs and forward-thinking organizations, have been selected as grant recipients because of their capacity to transform the Los Angeles Jewish community.

In this issue of Legacy—and in others to follow—we will tell the stories of individuals whose lives have been set on a new path. You’ll meet young men and women who have found

new ways to connect with their Jewish heritage; mothers who have discovered different approaches to introduce their children to Jewish life; and a community that continues to stay connected across generations to find their voice in the L.A.—and the American—Jewish community.

It’s been said that the longest journey begins with a single step. Sometimes it also begins with a Cutting Edge Grant.

Young, Hip, and Holding on to their Heritage

Jewlicious Journeys

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.

The Foundation awarded a $200,000 Cutting 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.

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 video production and online marketing services.

Last summer, Lee attended the Jewlicious SummerFest—which he says is a combination of summer camp, a music festival and a Shabbaton—held at Camp Alonim, which happens to be where he spent his summers as a child. Seeking a weekend of fun, friends and music at an affordable price, he discovered all that and more.

“I hadn’t realized that it was going to be a Shabbat weekend,” he says. “I had almost forgotten what Shabbat was. The whole experience was nostalgic. It reminded me that I owe so much to my Jewish faith and my culture, and I think it’s about time I start giving back.”

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Rabbi Yonah Bookstein (C) of Jewlicious Journeys and his team is connecting young adults to their Jewish identity and to each other through events that are both meaningful and fun.

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. ▲

As a result of his experiences with Jewlicious Journeys, Lee is currently volunteering at Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters fundraisers and plans to become a Jewish Big Brother in the future.

Fabian Lijtmaer Born in New York of Argentinian parents, Fabian Lijtmaer, 38, moved to L.A. in 2011. He recently completed the Leadership and Change Master’s program at Antioch University.

“My parents don’t believe in God, so it’s been a long journey to where I am now, and that journey is continuing,” he says. “I became interested in spirituality and Buddhism at the end of my college career.

A friend encouraged me to explore my own roots before embracing another 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. “When I heard Rabbi Yonah Bookstein blow the shofar, it was the most powerful shofar blowing I had ever heard. I felt like it was breaking down barriers inside me, and opening up a new gateway for the coming year.”

Like Lee, Fabian camped out last August at the Jewlicious SummerFest. “It really helped to build community for me,” he says.

“I am trying to nurture those connections. A group of us met recently for a Shabbat ceremony on the beach; it was a direct result of the Jewlicious event. Because of the music and the laid back way that Jewlicious connects with Jewish tradition, it opens up new doors.”

To learn more about Jewlicious Journeys, visit: www.jconnectla.com

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STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION

of Transformation Made Possible by Previous Grants

Joshua’s “Great Miracle”

Nes Gadol

When a child is diagnosed with a developmental disability, 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 revolved around her Reconstructionist synagogue. Now, the challenge was simply to find a synagogue where their daughter, Emma, could maintain her Jewish education and where their son would be comfortable attending services.

“We were willing to go to any lengths for Joshua to be accepted among his peers,” Judy remembers. “But we were sure that he could not have a Jewish education.”

Then one day, friends invited Judy and Allen to the bar mitzvah of their autistic son. “We asked, ‘How can he have a bar mitzvah?’ And they told 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, the Rabbi in Residence for Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services.

Through the Nes Gadol program, both Joshua and his parents have found community.“Joshua loves being there,” Judy reports. “All the Nes Gadol families talk in shorthand, because we all know the struggle, and we are generous 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 that day, including his pediatrician, psychiatrist, social workers, babysitters, and friends and family from around the world. Joshua recited his Torah

Joshua Erenmark (R) with Rabbi Jackie Redner of Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services. ▲

Joshua decorated his tallit, as well as kippot for the entire congregation. ▲

Joshua Erenmark (R) with his parents, Judy Mark and Allen Erenbaum (L), and sister, Emma. ▲

In 2008, The Foundation awarded Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services a $250,000 Cutting Edge Grant for Nes Gadol, a creative, multi-sensory program which provides a Jewish educational experience, specifically b’nei mitzvah training, to participants with autism spectrum disorder and other special needs.

portion from memory, and read the rest of the service. He even made colorful kippot for the entire congregation and decorated his tallit with Mickey Mouse and other Disneyland characters. “It was the greatest day of my life,” remembers Judy. “It was such an incredibly joyous day.”

With new Foundation funding, Nes Gadol is now being replicated and 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 Inspire Community Inclusion Program and recently received a $200,000 Cutting 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 good place for unaffiliated families. Now the synagogues will have some of these tools so that families in our own communities can get this extra help 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

It was the greatest day of my life...an incredibly joyous day.”

— Judy Mark, describing the bar mitzvah of her autistic son, Joshua.

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DESIGNING PHILANTHROPIC SOLUTIONS FOR YOU

The Benefits of Engaging Your Children and Grandchildren in Giving

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Abby Feinman, attorney with Katten Muchin Rosenman, and co-chair of The Foundation’s Center for Designed Philanthropy Committee.

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ow 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 President of the Center for Designed Philanthropy and Abby Feinman, attorney with the law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman and co-chair of The Foundation’s Center for Designed Philanthropy Committee to delve into this topic and hear what the experts have to say.

Family philanthropy can create an enduring legacy reflecting the family’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 about philanthropy. In addition, families have found that by including even the youngest of family members, they can learn to problem solve, develop financial 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 strengthen the family by ensuring transparency of the family’s financials and by developing an appreciation for each person’s areas of interest. In addition, with increased understanding, the children may have a stronger desire to fulfill the parents’ wishes for targeted philanthropy in the future.”

Amelia shared how one of the Center’s clients engaged his entire family in their family foundation’s decisions. The children, ranging in age from five to thirteen, were encouraged to participate in thoughtful decision making and identify their own areas of interest. Reviewing reports together on how grant funds were being used kept the children and parents engaged in giving. The parents established an annual family retreat—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 emphasized that when starting out, it’s important to identify the family’s mission and goals, while building in the flexibility for how that may evolve over time.

Abby shared an example from one of her clients who had recently experienced a very lucrative IPO. In order to ensure his children would be committed to philanthropy, he worked with Abby to encourage his children to dedicate funds over and above a certain amount of profit from 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 Center for 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. www.jewishfoundationla.org/thecenter

Abby Feinman, co-chair of The Foundation’s Center for Designed Philanthropy Committee, recommends setting up a junior advisory board to engage younger members of the family 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.

Practical Tips to Engage the Entire Family in Giving It’s helpful for a family to “get out in the world with their giving” and have hands-on experiences in the world 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

Amelia Xann, The Foundation’s Vice President of the Center for Designed Philanthropy. ▲

(323) 761-8705

A Suggestion to Engage Young Family Members: Setting up a Junior Advisory Board

Teaching our children the value of money while they are young and how it can be used for good can have everlasting effects...”

— Amelia Xann

LEAVING A LEGACY

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L’Dor Vador: The Schulman Family— A Multigenerational Tradition of Giving Donor Profile: Marcia and Richard Schulman

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f 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 perhaps more inspiring than their material legacy is their spiritual one: a strong commitment to philanthropy that thrives today in their children, Richard and Roberta, their six grandchildren, and their 15 great-grandchildren. With help from the Jewish Community Foundation to shape their enduring legacy, the Schulman name will continue its prominence in 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 with each other.” Born in Russia, Mark left Europe at age 9 on the last boat out of Germany before World War I. He was selling newspapers on the streets of Washington, D.C. before the family moved to Los Angeles in the 1920s. A relative in the meat packing business mentored Mark, who eventually opened his own supermarket, and, over years of hard work, built up a chain of supermarkets. Esther was from Oakland, and frequently visited L.A. to spend time with her brother. Through mutual contacts, a blind date was arranged. Mark was immediately smitten and they married in 1931.

Despite their busy schedules, they volunteered at City of Hope, the Los Angeles Jewish Home, and the Jewish Federation. “There was always talk around the dinner table of charity and community,” says Richard. “It was a value you picked up on.”

Marcia & Richard Schulman

When Richard met Marcia during their college years, he ▲ Esther & Mark Schulman, found his soul mate in more ways of blessed memory. than one. From a modest home, Marcia says that in her family there was never a question of not giving, even in leaner years, and “not just in a monetary sense.” Similar to Richard, Marcia calls philanthropy “a family expectation that was shown by example.” Like his father, Richard was smitten after meeting his future wife on a blind date.

Marcia and Richard were married after graduation—54 years strong and counting!

and Esther established their family foundation, The Mark and Esther Schulman Foundation. Richard has served on The Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Advisory Board and various committees. “We appreciate The Foundation’s help administering our family’s philanthropic endeavors through the decades,” says Richard. “We couldn’t do it without them.”

The Next Generations

Marcia and Richard are proud that their children and grandchildren have taken an interest in giving back.

Like their parents before them, Marcia and Richard have encouraged their children, Teri, Mike and Lisa, to follow in their philanthropic footsteps mainly by example. Similarly, Richard’s sister, Roberta (Schulman) Holland, is also very involved with many philanthropic organizations. She set that same example with her family and her children, Bruce, John and Larry, who have also been involved in the family’s philanthropy.

Esther and Mark lived to see their great-grandchildren join the family ▲ Marcia & Richard Schulman legacy of philanthropy and even integrate giving into their traditions.

Large family gatherings at Rosh Hashana and Chanukah sometimes include a charitable facet, like bringing items for filling school backpacks for homeless kids. Three of their great-grandchildren, Julia, Danielle and Taylor, were instrumental in funding scholarships at Camp Hess Kramer. Through the years, the Mark and Esther Schulman Foundation has also supported the Jewish Home, Beit T’Shuvah, American Jewish University, Zimmer Children’s Museum, Temple Emanuel and Vista del Mar Child and Family Services, among others.

Richard says he sees the younger generations in his own family widening their giving focus to support the community at large, including Jewish nonprofits that serve the community at large as well. “Life isn’t as insular as it was when our parents immigrated in the 1920s when they weren’t as welcome in the general community. It’s all about community and today, with more blended families and a more open society, we have a much bigger community than ours was.”

Richard continued, “The Foundation has helped to focus our family’s philanthropy through the years. I’m sure my parents would be very proud of their family’s lasting dedication and commitment to their legacy.”

A Foundation for Giving

The Schulmans began a relationship with the Jewish Community Foundation more than 20 years ago when Marcia and Richard opened a donor advised fund, and Mark ▲

The Schulman Family— 4 generations of giving.

We appreciate The Foundation’s help administering our family’s philanthropic endeavors through the decades. We couldn’t do it without them.” — Richard Schulman

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE

PA I D LOS ANGELES, CA PERMIT NO. 1805

6505 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1200 Los Angeles, CA 90048

IN THIS ISSUE

– Announcing our 2102 Cutting Edge Grants – Our Grants. Their Journeys: Personal Stories of Transformation – Engaging Children and Grandchildren in Giving – L’dor Vador: The Schulman Family— A Multigenerational Tradition of Giving

8 From the Desk of Marvin I. Schotland Continued from page 1

Have you seen our new Annual Report?

It is now available online.

www.jewishfoundationla.org/annualreport VOLUME 22 NO. 2 FALL 2012

Chair

Lorin M. Fife President and CEO

Marvin I. Schotland

e g a c y

Vice Presidents

Kenneth A. August Leah M. Bishop Anthony Chanin Max Factor, III William R. Feiler Bertrand I. Ginsberg Harold J. Masor Scott H. Richland Alan Stern Senior Vice President, Philanthropic Services

Dan Rothblatt CFO/Senior Vice President, Finance & Administration

Michael J. Januzik Vice President, Charitable Gift Planning

Elliot B. Kristal Vice President, Development

Baruch S. Littman

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I can tell you that we are not at a loss for great ideas and compelling projects in L.A. spearheaded by some outstanding nonprofit professionals.

Take, for example, the Vista Inspire Community Inclusion Program led by Elaine Hall, the program’s director. It’s hard to be in a room with Elaine and not be inspired by her passion and commitment to improving the lives of children with special needs. She has experienced firsthand the challenges of raising a child with special needs. Elaine then applied that experience to pioneer the Vista Inspire Community Inclusion Program which will now reach out to children with special needs and their families at five area synagogues.

Samara Hutman, executive director of The Righteous Conversations Project, is another person whose spirit and singleminded focus is helping to change the lives of young people. She initially became connected with The Righteous Conversations Project as a parent of a student who participated in the pilot program. She was so moved by her daughter’s involvement that Samara ended up accepting the leadership role for this cause and is now taking the organization to a new dimension.

When it comes to tapping into members of the artistic community who are not conventionally affiliated Jews and connecting them to our tradition in a meaningful fashion, Ayana Morse, associate director of the Silverlake JCC, is at the forefront of creativity and innovation. She leads the Silverlake JCC’s Culture Lab program that aims to engage 3,000 unaffiliated East Side Jews in more Jewish-themed creative and cultural activities. Ayana is most inspiring in her commitment and her bold vision.

These are just several of the non-profit visionaries who are part of this year’s new Cutting Edge Grants recipients.We congratulate all of them, and gratefully acknowledge everyone who applied for a 2012 Cutting Edge Grant and left us with so much hope and inspiration for the future.

Note:To share with you some of the progress and accomplishments of prior Cutting Edge Grant recipients, we will be profiling several in upcoming issues of Legacy, starting with this issue (as you’ll read on pp.4-5).

Vice President, Center for Designed Philanthropy

Amelia Xann Secretary

TEL.

(323) 761-8700 (323) 761-8720 TOLL-FREE (877) ENDOW-NOW (877-363-6966) www.jewishfoundationla.org FAX

Please send your comments and suggestions to the editor.

Editor: Lewis Groner Managing Editor: Bonnie Samotin Zev Design: Maxine Mueller Contributing Writers: Susan Baker Rose Newnham Janet Sanders Legacy is published to provide news and information about The Foundation to donors and friends.

Selwyn Gerber Treasurer

Lawrence Rauch

© 2012 Jewish Community Foundation.

No portion of this publication may be reproduced or used without permission.

Printed with vegetable based inks on recycled paper/10% post-consumer recovered fiber.