Sinai Temple marked a historic milestone as the congregation gathered on May 17 at Barad Hall for the congregation\u2019s 120th anniversary gala, honoring outgoing President Mehrzad Roshan<\/b> for her dedicated leadership and presenting Dr. Arnold <\/b>and Gloria Lushing-Gilberg<\/b> with a Special Legacy Award in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to the synagogue and community.<\/p>\n The inspiring evening brought together clergy, community members and civic leaders, including L.A. City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky<\/b>, who presented official City of Los Angeles proclamations commemorating the congregation\u2019s anniversary. Sinai Emeritus Rabbi<\/b> David Wolpe<\/b> and Co-Senior Rabbi Nicole Guzik<\/b>, along with Cantor Marcus Feldman<\/b>, led a celebration that reflected 120 years of tradition, belonging and shared future. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe packed house,\u201d according to Sinai leadership, \u201cwas a testament to the deep bonds that define Sinai Temple\u2019s community.\u201d<\/p>\n On June 2, the Black-Jewish Entertainment Alliance (BJEA) \u2014 an initiative to bring the two communities together in solidarity so that they can support each other in their struggles\u2014held an intimate gathering that drew industry executives and entertainers for a private dinner in Beverly Hills. Among the guests was Ethiopian educator Ashager Araro<\/b>.<\/p>\n Araro is an Ethiopian-Israeli activist, influencer and public diplomat and passionate voice at the intersection of Blackness and Jewish identity. She founded\u00a0Battae, the Ethiopian-Israeli Heritage Center in Tel Aviv, and has built a global social media platform under the handle Over authentic Ethiopian cuisine and conversation, Araro led high-profile guests such as\u00a0comedian Tiffany Haddish<\/b>,\u00a0Hollywood producer Lawrence Bender<\/b>,\u00a0Jamaican-Canadian actor Roger Cross<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0music executive Jody Gerson<\/b>\u00a0through the richly layered intersections of Ethiopian and Jewish identity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n American Jewish University (AJU) has launched \u201cThe Jewish Tomorrow,\u201d a new podcast exploring the future of Jewish life in North America and beyond. Hosted by culture strategist and author Robert Richman, the podcast is the inaugural initiative of AJU\u2019s recently established 2050 Institute.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is not just another Jewish podcast \u2014 it is an invitation to ask deeper, more urgent questions about identity, purpose and Jewish community,\u201d AJU President Jay Sanderson<\/b> said. \u201cThrough candid, thought-provoking conversations with leaders, creators and changemakers, the podcast seeks to spark new ideas and inspire meaningful action.\u201d<\/p>\n Among the guests featured to date are Sanderson, Jewish influencer Jonah Platt<\/b> and Jewish futurist Becca Leviss<\/b>, who sat down with Richman for discussions that wrestle with the most pressing challenges facing the Jewish world. Upcoming episodes will continue to bring together leading voices from across sectors to explore the opportunities, challenges and emerging trends shaping the Jewish future.<\/p>\n The podcast \u2014 which is available on all major platforms \u2014 aims to foster bold ideas, diverse perspectives and honest dialogue while encouraging audiences to engage through future digital platforms, live events and curated gatherings, AJU leadership said.<\/p>\n \u201cOur target audience is broad\u00a0 <\/span>\u2014\u00a0 <\/span>Jews who are interested in what\u2019s ahead,\u201d Richman said. \u201cEverything is changing so quickly, and it\u2019s both exciting and scary at the same time. We\u2019re essentially creating a front-row seat to that revolution through these conversations, which people can listen to from the comfort of their homes and cars.\u201d<\/p>\n Richman is a globally recognized speaker and author of \u201cThe Culture Blueprint: The Guide to the High Performance Workplace.\u201d A former culture strategist at Zappos and co-creator of Zappos Insights, he has advised organizations including Google, Toyota, Salesforce, IBM and Pfizer on workplace culture and leadership. He is also a guest lecturer at Harvard University.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jewishjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ms-black-jewish-alliance.jpg\")
@BlackJewishMagic, where she has more than 75,000 followers. She\u2019s a self-described liberal feminist who supports black lives while also identifying as a proud Zionist.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jewishjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ms-lawerence-trevon.jpg\")
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