The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles has awarded approximately $2.5 million in grants to 10 Israeli organizations focused on strengthening Jewish engagement and advancing economic development.

Through the most recent Israel Grants cycle, funding to recipient organizations will support a range of populations and programs, including tech training for Druze women and ultra-Orthodox men, workforce programs for youth on the autism spectrum, transition support for young adults seeking to leave ultra-Orthodox communities and engagement of Russian-speaking immigrants.

Since 2010, the Foundation has awarded nearly $14.5 million to more than 87 organizations through its Israel Grants program. The multi-year awards of up to $300,000 are directed towards initiatives that embrace Israel’s vibrant, diverse cultural landscape.

“Support to organizations in Israel is a cornerstone of the foundation’s mission. We maintain an unwavering commitment to sustaining programs that help a wide range of populations connect to their Judaism and afford opportunities for marginalized communities to contribute to Israel’s formidable economic engine, especially its robust technology sector,” said foundation President and CEO Marvin I. Schotland. “Today’s nearly $2.5 million in grants – a record amount awarded under this initiative – addresses critical needs and reaches Israel’s geographic and social periphery.”

“With tens of thousands of new Russian-speaking immigrants arriving in Israel due to the war in Ukraine, we are deeply grateful for The Foundation’s timely grant towards our work with young Russian-speaking Israelis,” said Linda Pardes Friedburg, CEO of Shishi Shabbat Yisraeli.“The funds will help expand our programs and engage an additional 3,500 immigrants in enriching Jewish communal events while fostering knowledgeable, rooted young leadership for Israel and the Jewish people.”

The 2022 Israel Grants were made possible with support from the Werner and Ellen Lange Memorial Endowment, the Erwin Rautenberg Foundation and the Saban Charitable Support Fund, a Family Support Organization of the Jewish Community Foundation. For information, visit jewishfoundationla.org.