Emek Early Childhood Camp transforms the Chandler campus into a vibrant seven-week experience for Emek students, blending Torah values with hands-on activities like water play, STEM, cooking, music, and arts and crafts. With special events and a dedicated, enthusiastic staff, the camp fosters growth, confidence, and Jewish identity in a nurturing, joyful environment.

The Simcha House, a new venue at Young Israel of Los Angeles, offers affordable, all-inclusive weddings and bar mitzvahs starting at $15,000, easing financial burdens for Orthodox families. Led by Mendel Levin and funded by Sol Goldner, it fulfills the legacy of Holocaust survivors Jacob and Rose Kasirer, proven successful at its inaugural event with gourmet catering and elegant décor.

Renee, born in 1920, celebrated her 105th birthday in London, thanking God and family with a lucid 18-minute speech. Her secret to longevity is curiosity and resilience. After Tisha B’Av, the Seven Shabbatot of Comfort begin, offering genuine consolation. Elul starts August 25, launching a 40-day challenge for personal growth toward Yom Kippur.

On August 8, 2025, Steven Rony Reyes was arrested by ICE agents on the Los Angeles courthouse steps after a hearing, shattering the promise of a fair process. Such arrests disrupt justice, deter victims and witnesses, and erode trust in the courts, harming public safety. Lou Shapiro argues ICE should coordinate with courts to enforce immigration laws post-prosecution, preserving courthouses as safe zones for due process.

Friendship Circle Los Angeles welcomed Jewish Federation Los Angeles staff for a tour of Division A's campus during their 3-week Summer Camp, showcasing the impact of their partnership. Highlights included a TTYA-run Starbucks pop-up where young women honed life skills, an art room, foam party, and bunny play, all supported by teen volunteers. Guests received yellow ribbon necklaces with hostage names and Shabbos candles, reflecting FCLA’s inclusive community efforts.

Friendship Circle Summer Camp offered a joyful three-week experience for 75 kids with special needs and 100 teen volunteers, bonding through one-on-one pairings. With the theme Netilat Yadayim, campers crafted washing cups and played water games, learning gratitude. Outings like climbing at Get Air, pool days, and Shabbat parties fostered confidence and community.

Recent moves by France, Canada, and the UK to recognize a Palestinian state, alongside a Senate vote to halt arms sales to Israel, echo the abandonment depicted in Eicha, leaving many stunned. Yet, as Pirkei Avot and Tehillim 121 remind us, true help comes from Hashem, not earthly allies. Despite historical threats from Rome to modern Europe, the Jewish people’s enduring bond with God ensures their resilience and flourishing.

At a heartfelt Aspen event, Adi Ben-Ezra of AFMDA shared how Douglas Murray’s interviews gave hope during her cousin’s Gaza captivity. With 400 attendees, the fundraiser for Magen David Adom featured Murray’s book talk and stories of medics like Ahmad Zeidan and Ofir Ovadia. It ended with a Yvel jewelry showcase supporting MDA ambulances.

Community Alert: A protest is scheduled for August 12th at 4:00 PM in front of Fox 11 News Studios at 1999 S Bundy Dr, Los Angeles, focusing on Gaza, raising safety concerns for the Jewish community. Shmira will provide protection, working with law enforcement. Stay safe by avoiding the area, traveling in groups, staying alert, and contacting authorities if needed.

In Pico-Robertson, HolyPay, launched in 2024 by Koby Rehman and Igor Kilimnik, turns purchases at places like Pizza World into giving acts for shuls. “It’s payments with purpose,” says Rehman, ex-Army. With CTO Kilimnik, they target the $4.5 trillion industry. Using Stripe and Jewish law, their first $71.57 donation to LINK Kollel (July 2025) marks progress. A native app is planned to make every transaction a force for good.

In 2025, France, UK, and Canada plan to recognize Palestine at the UN, shifting from talks-based policy. Supporters see solidarity, but Israel views it as aiding Hamas and delaying hostage release. Recognition rewards violence without disarmament demands, weakening negotiations. False Gaza suffering images, debunked by Eitan Fischberger despite 2M tons of aid since Oct 2023, persist. Lou Shapiro calls it propaganda over peace.

The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education was recently targeted by neo-Nazi vandalism, a despicable act against a place preserving Jewish history. We stand with our Jewish neighbors, condemning this hate and calling for a thorough investigation to hold those responsible accountable.

American women from Taglit revitalized Sylvia’s war-damaged Bat Yam home, scrubbing floors and sharing hugs, sparking her lost smile. In Va’etchanan and Tu B’Av, we see love and unity, from desert redemption to vineyard dances, reminding us to connect, reconcile, and bless our shared story.

Posted on August 4, 2025, 11:45 AM PDT. The Shmira Safety team warns of two aggressive panhandlers, a father and son, targeting synagogues and Jewish-owned businesses since August 3, 2025. Reports describe sleepy panhandling outside shuls, with violent language, spitting, and disrespectful acts toward staff and congregants. Authorities urge contacting Shmira’s 24/7 hotline at 424-888-4646 with information, emphasizing community safety. Call 911 in emergencies.

Join the Wilshire Community Police Station for National Night Out on August 5, 2025, at 5:00 PM in Pan Pacific Park. This event promotes police-community bonds with live demos and activities. See the flyer for details and come connect with local officers!

Join the Beverly Hills Police Department for National Night Out on August 5, 2025, from 5-8 PM on the 400 block of North Rexford Drive. This free block party near City Hall offers kid-friendly activities, food trucks, and K-9 meet-and-greets, strengthening community ties. Free parking is available. Don’t miss this fun, safe celebration!

Camp Morasha and Yachad marked 25 years of unity with a vibrant Shiria sing-off, celebrating inclusion as over 1,000 campers joined in song, including a re-recorded hit by Mordechai Shapiro. This milestone event, livestreamed from Lakewood, Pennsylvania, showcased Yachad’s transformative impact, blending joy and purpose for a stronger camp community.

This August, dive into a transformative two-part event blending Kabbalistic wisdom and vibrational science, starting August 7th at a Malibu beach house for a Tu B’Av-inspired night of self-love and connection. The journey continues August 10th at Vistage Yoga with Paul Edge’s premiere of "The River," a frequency film to reset your nervous system, offering a unique fusion of spirituality and science for personal renewal.

UCLA’s $6.45M settlement with Jewish students over 2024 antisemitism, per DOJ, exposes a “Jew Exclusion Zone.” With $2.33M to anti-hate groups, it’s a wake-up for Beverlywood yeshivas. Torah urges justice, drill safety, share stories, fund security. Let’s protect our kids’ neshamas.

In a powerful show of community and compassion, Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBKLA) marked its 1,000th session by preparing 1,000 kosher meals for local organizations. The milestone evening, complete with music, a cocktail bar, and heartfelt speeches, brought volunteers together for a night of giving back, celebrating OBKLA’s mission to feed with dignity, connection, and joy.