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kids learning how to play the taiko drums. Following the performance was the Grand Menorah lighting ceremony, where each child had the chance to light a candle, while reciting the blessing. The big smiles on the kids’ faces was a priceless moment
ride the carousel. Tamm noting his delight in attending the event, explained: “This carrousel is just brilliant. I love the whole idea that if you’re in a wheelchair you can come in and you can turn it yourself and feel safe and secure. It’s an ingenious
and the happiness continue as everyone danced and sang Chanukah songs. Outside, in Friendship Circle’s stateof- the- art all inclusive playground, were a slew of kids who patiently waited to take a ride on the integration carousel, the only one of its kind in California. Daniel Tamm, the Mayor of LA’s interfaith liaison, stood in awe as he watched the kids gleefully
idea. The whole environment throughout this building offers opportunities for kids to be creative and that is just tremendous. To have an environment like this is so precious and what a gift.” Two volunteers, who were also outside helping out their buddies during the event, shared similar stories about their life-changing experiences at the Friend-
ship Circle. Daniella Hay, a current Freshman at CSUN has been volunteering for several years. She said, “Friendship Circle has really impacted my career path in that I am now looking into becoming a speech therapist and working with children with special needs.” Adina Rosenberg, a current junior at Vanderbilt University, started volunteering in 2005 as a 6th grader added, “Friendship Circle informed my life and career path. It brought me into the special needs community and informed me of its incredible population. It has led me to eventually choose a career path in the field.” The festivities ended as each of the kids received a special Chanukah gift. Friendship Circle’s annual Chanukah program was once again an exceptional event that created a sense of unity and camaraderie among children, parents, and volunteers. To learn more about Friendship Circle, please email info@fcla.org or call 310.280.0955
DECEMBER 18, 2014
A Japanese themed Chanukah celebration took place at Friendship Circle of Los Angeles on Sunday, December 14. The event has always been the highlight for this 12 year old organization that is known for supporting children with special needs along with their families. The afternoon was filled with excitement. Each room had its own special Japanese themed Chanukah activity. Activities included a make your own sushi station, Chanukah arts and crafts, origami, and storytelling with the author of Jewish Holiday Origami, Joel Stern. Executive board member of The Lev Foundation, Negin Elazari, joyfully watched over the kids during her visit explaining, “The Lev Foundation, loves to come together with the Friendship Circle to bring Chanukah gifts and hang out with these children. This event really brings our community together and helps raise awareness.” Then the kids, parents, and volunteers gathered together to watch and ultimately participate in a Japanese performance of comedic sumo wrestling and karate techniques. The performance ended with the
Shimmy Lautman Photography
by Berenice Famili
THE JEWISH HOME
Friendship Circle’s Chanukah Event went Japanese
OU West Coast Convention: Bringing Light to a Darkened World by Yehudis Litvak
described light as the soul of a person, including the love that binds a couple together. In contrast, a home may consist of two spouses that faithfully fulfill their responsibilities, but miss the light that makes
gations that were part of the marriage contract with Hashem, but the light that was present at the giving of the Torah is now missing, and there is no joy in such mitzvah observance. Rabbi Weinberger said
Rabbi Dr. Moshe Goldfeder, Rabbi Menachem Leibtag, Rabbi Dr. Hillel Goldberg, and Rabbi Hershel Schachter. Each received an enthusiastic and positive response. Lew Groner Photography
The 24th annual OU West Coast Convention took place over the December 13/14 weekend. The theme of the convention was Bringing Light to a Darkened World. “We aim to make the OU Convention exciting, meaningful, and inspiring every year,” said Rabbi Alan Kalinsky, director of OU West Coast. “This year’s event was very special.” The convention began on Thursday night with the keynote address by Rabbi Moshe Weinberger at Young Israel of North Beverly Hills. Rabbi Pini Dunner of Young Israel, welcomed the attendees and expressed his hope that everyone would walk away having truly experienced the joy of Torah. Then Mr. Allen Fagin, OU executive vice president, introduced the keynote speaker. Rabbi Weinberger is a musmach of the RIETS rabbinical school of Yeshiva University and the founding Rav of Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, NY. He received an MA in Jewish philosophy from YU and an MS in educational administration from Columbia University and studied under Rav Soloveitchik. Recently, he was appointed as Mashpia at RIETS at YU and is a leader of neo-chassidus that is becoming increasingly popular in the Modern Orthodox community. Rabbi Weinberger discussed the concept of light or “the inner light of Torah” -- a topic frequently mentioned in Torah sources but rarely understood. He
The Keynote address at YINBH
it a pleasant place to live. Rabbi Weinberger described a scenario he encounters frequently when a married couple comes to him for counseling. The husband recites a long list of what he contributes to the marriage – making a good parnassa, fixing things around the house, buying his wife flowers. The wife doesn’t deny that he does all these things, but she feels that something fundamental is missing in their relationship. She did not marry a repairman or a florist. She married her husband because she felt that there was a shared light and the potential to build something wonderful together, and that light is now missing. The same scenario could occur in the relationship between a Jew and G-d. A Jew may faithfully fulfill all of his or her obli-
that he has observed this sad phenomenon across the spectrum of the frum community. Yiddishkeit that is meant to be alive and vibrant and bring simcha beyond words, descends into a lake of Jewish life that is boring and tedious. At the same time, there are many young people in this generation who are searching for a deeper relationship with G-d. Rabbi Weinberger spent Shabbos in the Pico/Roberson neighborhood, where he led a Chassidic tisch on Friday night, attended by 150 people. The attendees found it a moving and inspiring experience and were hesitant to leave. Other shuls throughout the greater Los Angeles area hosted other convention speakers as scholars-in-residence. The scholars included Mr. Allen Fagin, Rabbi Steven Weil, Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman, Rabbi Ronald Schwarzberg,
Motzoei Shabbos at Yavneh
Mr. Fagin, who was attending the west coast convention for the first time, was impressed with the achdus and sense of community that permeated all the events. The convention is always open to the public free of charge, and every community member is invited to participate. Some local schools also had the opportunity to hear from the scholars. The OU Convention concluded with a Sunday session at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, with sessions for women’s Torah learning, a rebbetzins’ seminar, legal ethics session, and a closing plenary session which discussed, “Is Social Orthodox the New Reality?” followed by a discussion by Rabbis Weil and Schwarzberg and moderated by Mr. Fagin.