Regions
The Bnai Zion Western Region opened its doors in 1975 with a few dedicated members.
Since then it has grown to include hundreds of active members and continues to grow.
We help support those in the greatest need in Israel. We sponsor and support homes for mentally-challenged adults at the Quittman Center on Jerusalem’s Israel Elwyn campus.
Ahava Village for Children & Youth at risk in Kiryat Bialik is another project we are pleased
to support. We are proud of our contributions made to the Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa
that was on the frontlines of the Second Lebanon war in 2006, and which has been voted the number one hospital of choice in northern Israel for eight consecutive years.
We hope you will become active in Bnai Zion and support our life-transforming work.
Igal Zaidenstein
Director, Western Region
310 502 1719
igal.zaidenstein@bnaizion.org
West Coast Activities Reach a Wide Audience
A Large Group Turns Out for "New Beginnings" Planning Meeting
On December 5, the western region hosted a “new beginnings” planning meeting at the beautiful home of Victor and Jackie Cohenca in Beverly Hills. More than 60 people attended, representing different segments of the business, entertainment and legal industries, as well as many Los Angeles Jewish community leaders. A short video about Bnai Zion was shown, and a presentation was given by executive vice president of the organization, Jack Grunspan.
George Schaeffer, chairman of the board of Bnai Zion, spoke about his years of involvement with the organization and its important purpose.
Igal Zaidenstein, the new western region director of Bnai Zion, concluded the event and invited attendees to participate in a steering committee meeting that will take place in LA on January 10.
Pictures from this event coming soon!
Kids Raise Money to Buy a New Computer for Ahava Village
On Sunday, March 6, the Shomrei Torah Social Hall held its first-ever Kid to Kid Yard Sale. The students and their parents worked hard to sell books, toys, clothing, and more, raising over $900 that will be used to fund a computer at Ahava Village for Children & Youth.
Many thanks to the third grade students and their parents, to those who made purchases – and to Education Director Adrianne Pasternak and teacher Tami Havton for their deep commitment to the youth at Ahava Village and to Bnai Zion.
A Parlor Meeting Raises Funds for the Medical Center
At a parlor meeting in West Hills on November 30, funds were raised for the new protected emergency room at the Bnai Zion Medical Center. Hosted by Ron and Lynn Freeman and Leah Kuluva, a dozen people attended. The Freemans visited the hospital in the spring, and Leah had been a patient there many years ago.
Everyone who attended had the opportunity to address the centrality of Israel in their lives
and wanted to help assure the health and vitality of its people.
We are deciding on an appropriate dedication.
A Special Visitor Highlights the Medical Center
Dr. Noam Calderon from the Bnai Zion Medical Center visited our region in March and made presentations on the scope of work of his plastic surgery department in the treatment of severe and life-threatening diabetes. He spoke at a dinner we hosted for the American-Israeli Medical Association (AIMA), and he presented at an evening of Israeli song hosted by Isaac and Dr. Barbara Florentine (members of our regional leadership committee).
Bnai Zion Participates in Interfaith Effort
On April 20 we co-sponsored the first-ever Unity in Concert at Sinai Temple in Westwood. 2,200 people filled the synagogue for a concert aimed at unifying the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim worlds with an outstanding program. Produced by Craig Taubman (a friend of Bnai Zion), and the Sinai Temple Israel Center, Unity was a night to remember.
Reaching a Crowd in Woodley Park
On April 25, 20,000 supporters of Israel gathered for the annual Valley Israel Independence Day Festival in Woodley Park. The western region sponsored an information booth at the festival for the first time in many years. At the booth, we reconnected with scores of old friends of Bnai Zion and made important connections with hundreds of new friends.
Area Synagogues Begin to Develop Support
We are continuing our efforts with area synagogues to lay the groundwork for future generations of Bnai Zion supporters (Bnai Zionites) within our region. Support projects are in various stages of development at Shomrei Torah Synagogue in West Hills, at Temple Aliyah and at Temple Kol Tikvah in Woodland Hills, at Wilshire Blvd. Temple and at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, and at Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center.
 Visit the Western Region Photo Gallery!
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