LOS ANGELES – The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles Thursday announced it has awarded $2.5 million in grants to 10 organizations focused on developing programs dealing with such issues as antisemitism, Israel and Holocaust education and mental health.
“Our team conducted rigorous research, including extensive conversations with nonprofit leaders and key stakeholders, that underscored these pressing needs — to lend support in addressing the mental health crisis, combat antisemitism, support vulnerable populations and reach out to the myriad of constituents who comprise a diverse Jewish L.A.,” JCF President and CEO Marvin I. Schotland said in a statement.
“The grants reflect The Foundation’s commitment to identifying both needs and gaps in our community and partnering with forward-thinking leaders and organizations,” he said.
We reached out to JCF spokespersons to inquire why organizations outside of the Jewish community weren’t considered for awards given the recent outrage at comments made by artist Ye, and NBA star Kyrie Irving, who are accused of promoting antisemitic rhetoric, and they weren’t available for comment.
The multiyear awards of up to $300,000 are directed to innovative local and national organizations of all sizes to foster creative programming that builds a vibrant and inclusive Jewish Los Angeles, equipped to address emerging issues and opportunities for the future. The grants provide recipients with not only funding but access to technical assistance and professional development, the JCF said.
The 2022 Cutting Edge Grants 2.0 recipients include: BaMidbar for LA Regional Programming Hub, Foundation for Jewish Camp for DEI Coaching Project, Hillel at UCLA in collaboration with USC Hillel and Hillel 818 for LA Campuses United Against Antisemitism, Holocaust Museum Los Angeles for Augmented Reality App, Jews of Color Initiative for LA Incubator, OpenDor Media for Collaborative School Program: Empowering LA Jewish Educators in Israel Education, Our Big Kitchen LA for Community Youth Initiative, Sacred Spaces for Spark Program, Tzedek America for Mitzvah Project Central, and Valley Beth Shalom in collaboration with Temple Ramat Zion and Temple Judea for Sayva: A New Approach to Positive Aging.
Established in 1954, the JCF of Los Angeles manages charitable assets of more than $1.5 billion entrusted to it by 1,400 families. The Foundation partners with donors to shape meaningful philanthropic strategies, magnify the impact of giving and build enduring charitable legacies, the JCF said.
2UrbanGirls contributed to this report.
