APRIL HAPPENINGS
OUR NINTH
COLLECTIVE ESCAPE
NuRoots’ annual spring festival returns April 21–30 with a weeklong celebration of Passover, a full slate of in-person events, and dozens of seders and dinners in homes across Los Angeles. Bringing together L.A.’s diverse community of young adults in their 20s and 30s and made in partnership with incredible organizations and co-creators, Collective Escape has been a citywide tradition since 2016
OUR BURN
SUNDAY 4.21
VERDUGO HILLS, GLENDALE
We’re kicking off Collective Escape with a big communal farewell to what’s holding us back and embracing the Jewish fire ritual Biur Chametz as our last step before entering Passover — with a carb and bread heavy feast to start. Fire acknowledges the soul, and we want to see your beautiful one in community as we let go of what no longer serves us
What’s your symbolic chametz? Come ready to cast it all and let it burn. Nestled in the Verdugo hills, a private outdoor camp is the perfect place for our collective liberation moment. Join us at the fire for music and ceremony, escaping the city in a brilliant night under the stars
Get tickets while they last through April 15
SUPERHOST
WITH THE MOSES
MONDAY 4.22
TUESDAY 4.23
FRIDAY 4.26
L.A., we’re coming over. Sign up on OneTable to host first night seder, second night, or Passover Shabbat by April 10 (while spots last) and get double resources and gift cards to cover your costs and elevate your night. Go for the good wine. Get flowers. Welcome more guests. We’ve got you.
Prefer to be a guest? Check out our growing list
GATHERINGS
+ EVENTS
AUTHOR TALK —
ASAF ELIA-SHALEV
WEDNESDAY 4.3
SILVER LAKE
Join SIJCC for a special talk featuring Israeli American author and journalist Asaf Elia-Shalev, whose book tells the story of Mizrahi Jews from Jerusalem inspired by the American Black Panthers who fought for equality in the 1970s. Asaf will discuss the group’s significance beyond a Jewish-Arab binary, placing an understanding of Mizrahi Jewish history at the center of understanding Israel
THE NIGHTINGALE
OF IRAN
FRIDAY 4.5
MID CITY
Join IKAR and sisters Danielle and Galeet Dardashti for a special Shabbat discussion with Rabbi Sharon Brous about their hit podcast — plus an LGBTQ+ happy hour, services, and dinner
SHABBAT
IN THE PARK
FRIDAY 4.5
FRIDAY 4.19
ECHO PARK
Join Nefesh in person or live stream for an outdoor musical service on the first and third Fridays of the month
JQ IMPACT AWARDS
SUNDAY 4.7
WESTWOOD
Join our partners at JQ to honor and celebrate CEO Asher Gellis and NuRoots committee chair Allison Rosenthal, two leaders who have helped build a joyful and inclusive Jewish community — and strengthened the lives of LGBTQ+ Jews and allies — for twenty years
TRYBAL
TRIVIA MINGLE
SUNDAY 4.7
HOLLYWOOD
Join Trybal Gatherings’ L.A. ambassadors to compete for prizes — or just to hang and learn fun facts
YEARNING TO
BREATHE FREE
SUNDAY 4.7
ON ZOOM
Often the Jewish story of coming to America is visualized in Ashkenazic sepia tones: European ancestors trudging off boats at Ellis Island. A poetic and captivating new show from The Braid reveals an expansive Jewish immigrant story that continues today. Weaving together true stories from across the globe — Ukraine, China, Iran, Chile, Egypt, Turkey, and Israel — the show takes its audience deeper into the experience of leaving one’s home for a new land
L.A. NEW MOON
CIRCLE — NISSAN
THURSDAY 4.11
MID CITY
Join At The Well and their L.A. ambassadors Natasha and Miranda to welcome in the Hebrew month of Nissan, leaning into renewal, courage, creativity, and liberation. Come gather with women and nonbinary folks in community and reflective ritual, celebrating Rosh Chodesh and soaking in the energy of the new month
TRIVIA
FOR GROWNUPS
THURSDAY 4.11
SILVER LAKE
It’s a battle of the brains — join SIJCC for an evening of drinks, fancy eats, and mind bending trivia
GOT GUYS?
SPRING SHABBAT
FRIDAY 4.12
WESTWOOD
Join JQ and NuRoots for an evening of connection and celebration, commemorating a day of (no) silence — a national demonstration against the harmful effects of LGBTQ+ harassment and discrimination in schools — with special guest speaker Sam Goodman, JQ’s youth program manager
HEAL THE BAY
SUNDAY 4.14
HERMOSA BEACH
Join JFedLA and Repair the World for Good Deeds Day, which was founded in Israel in 2007 and has since grown into a worldwide day of service
THE JEWISH
HOLIDAY TABLE
WITH NAAMA SHEFI
SUNDAY 4.14
SEPULVEDA PASS
Join the Skirball and Jewish Food Society to celebrate the launch of its founder Naama Shefi's new cookbook — with a conversation with actress Ginnifer Goodwin and an introduction from Common Ground food curator Dr. Scott Alves Barton
THE POSSIBILI-TEAS
ARE ENDLESS
SUNDAY 4.14
MALIBU
With Earth Day around the corner, Trybal Gatherings is excited to offer you an opportunity to connect with nature, with your tribe, and with yourself. Get hands on at Shemesh Farms — a social enterprise providing meaningful employment and community for adults with diverse abilities — experiencing herb work and exploring creativi-tea in a fun and mindful workshop, all facilitated by Shemesh director Nicky Pitman
BLACK POWER,
JEWISH POLITICS
WEDNESDAY 4.17
SEPULVEDA PASS
Join the Skirball and Jews of Color Initiative for the launch of a revised edition of “Black Power, Jewish Politics — Reinventing the Alliance in the 1960s.” The evening will begin with a reception sharing efforts to empower Jews of color in L.A., and continue with a book talk and Q&A with author Marc Dollinger and JoCI CEO Ilana Kaufman
ISRAELI DANCE
WEDNESDAY 4.17
ENCINO
Join Trybal Gatherings for an evening celebrating the vibrant culture of Israel through music and movement
LEADERSHIP
+ VOLUNTEER
COHORTS
JEWISH CHANGEMAKERS
FELLOWSHIP
APPLY THROUGH 4.14
Designed for Gen Z by Jewish Federations of North America, Changemakers isn’t your typical fellowship — it’s an exploration of values with real talk, real connections, and real opportunities to advance your career
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
INSTITUTE
APPLY THROUGH 4.19
CLI, from JFedLA, is a selective leadership development program for passionate young adults 30–42 who are committed to expanding and leveraging their capacity for impact across L.A. Through facilitated sessions, hands on experiential learning, mentorship, high access networking, and a trip to Israel, participants will graduate alongside talented peers with a deep understanding of how to lead systemic change
KIDS MENTORING
INFO SESSIONS
IN APRIL, MAY + JUNE
Since 1915, Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles has been matching mentors who are 21+ with kids 6–17. Just 5 or 6 hours each month can have transformative effects on a child’s life — and on yours
VOLUNTEERING
IN ISRAEL
MAY–AUGUST
Join Taglit Birthright Israel on the ground in agricultural distribution centers near Tel Aviv, choosing from food rescue operations to support Israeli farmers and prevent shortages in the market, or helping to sort, pack, and distribute goods for civil and military personnel
ON THE
HORIZON
SHADES OF BELONGING
COMMUNITY FESTIVAL
SUNDAY 5.5
SEPULVEDA PASS
All are welcome to join our friends at Jewtina y Co. for a community celebration of Jews of color, adoptees, and their families and allies. Explore the creative expressions of JoC artists, gain insights into the JoC adoptee experience, and enjoy a vibrant gathering at the Skirball
REIMAGINING SHABBAT —
CRAFTING PERSONAL
RITUALS
5.17–SUNDAY 5.19
SIMI VALLEY
Join Moishe House and NuRoots for an immersive retreat centered on the power of ritual. Shabbat is an ancient Jewish practice deeply rooted in our need for rest and renewal, and how this looks in your life can shift from week to week, and from year to year. Come explore how to create new rituals to meet your own evolving needs
TOGETHERING TRIP
FOR COUPLES
5.22–5.26
BAJA, MEXICO
Togethering, from Jewish Federations of North America, invites young couples 25–40 to participate in a new immersive travel experience. Come for a long weekend at the beach, nourished by nature and great food, to explore building community in your own time and on your own terms. Apply through April 15
BIG BEAR
BLESSINGS
5.31–6.2
BIG BEAR
Jewtina y Co. and NuRoots are excited to kick off summer with a special retreat designed for Jews of color. Nestled in the Big Bear mountains, the whole weekend is yours to nurture wellness, breathing in the freshest of air
INSIDE JEWISH BRAZIL
9.9–9.16
RIO DE JANEIRO
+ SÃO PAULO
Join JDC Entwine and NuRoots on an immersive journey through Brazil’s rich, distinct, and interconnected Jewish communities
TRYBAL SOCAL
9.26–9.29
OJAI
Trybal Gatherings’ SoCal flagship camp experience is back. Get ready for a weekend where the the scenery is great — and the vibes? Even better. The countdown to the most unforgettable weekend of the summer has officially begun, and a limited number of early bird tickets are available until April 30 — while they last
NATIONAL STUDY
OF SEPHARDIC
+ MIZRAHI JEWS
JIMENA (Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa) is leading a large national study of Sephardic, Mizrahi, Middle Eastern, and North African Jews in the U.S., creating portraits of the Syrian Jewish community in Brooklyn, the Bukharian community in Queens, the Sephardic community in Miami, and the Iranian Jewish community in Los Angeles
As part of the study, JIMENA is looking to interview 40 Iranian Jews in L.A., on Zoom in either Farsi or English, and is hoping for a broad cross-section — including the elderly, newer immigrants, and American-born Iranian Jews. Personal information will be not be shared, and all data will be randomized
RESOURCES
+ SUPPORT
If you or someone you know needs support, NuRoots and JFedLA are here to help. The Ezra Network and our community resource guide offer personal advising and every kind of resource for mental health and more
Our community call line, at 855-JFED-HLP, is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm and on Fridays from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. And our longtime friends at Jewish Family Service L.A. are also here. Whether you need someone to listen or resources, reach out to them at 877-275-4537 or services@jfsla.org