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Jewish Federation Launches New Cultural Arts Program
Arcadia Weekly Jul 05, 2011
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Arcadia – In its effort to continue to strengthen and enhance Jewish life in the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, the Jewish Federation is set to launch a brand new Cultural Arts program on July 1.
The mission of the Jewish Federation is to bring Jews and Jewish organizations together by providing programs and services that meet the needs of the community. By serving as the Jewish umbrella organization, the Jewish Federation concentrates its attention on the entire local Jewish community, serving as a convener and program provider for the greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys. The organization also serves to support the other local Jewish organizations.
As the needs of the community have changed over the years, the Jewish Federation has evolved to better meet and address those needs. “The Cultural Arts program will reach out to our community members in ways that our current programs do not and provide another entry point into the Jewish Federation,” explains Jason Moss, Jewish Federation’s Executive Director. “Once they have entered, we will have the opportunity to engage them in other programs, services, and organizations under the Jewish Federation umbrella.”
With the addition of the new program, the Jewish Federation has hired Judy Sofer as the Cultural Arts Program Coordinator. Judy Sofer served as the Cantor at the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center from 1994 – 2011. She has extensive experience coordinating and overseeing cultural arts programming, including conducting adult and teen choirs, directing and producing shows, performances, and concerts.
“In hiring Judy Sofer, the Jewish Federation is bringing someone on staff that has established herself as someone with a proven track record for developing, creating and producing top-notch shows and performances in and around our community,” states Moss.
“The Cultural Arts Program will utilize a multi-pronged approach to reach out and connect with a multi-generational audience of participants and audience members,” elaborates Moss. “The program will consist of various activities and events that will allow for active participation, not just viewing and listening.”
The tentative scope of programs will include plays and musicals, a youth orchestra, coffeehouses that will provide local performers/musicians/artists an opportunity to perform and a fun low-cost evening for community members to attend, and a drama camp. Other possible programs include a Teen Choir, Israeli Dancing, Culinary Arts, and bringing in “outside” professional performers.
To learn more about the Jewish Federation’s Cultural Arts program, or other Jewish Federation activities, please contact the Jewish Federation by calling 626.445.0810 or by sending an email to federation@jewishsgpv.org.
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The Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys focuses its energies on building a community that strengthens and enhances Jewish life from Glendale to Rancho Cucamonga and south to Whittier. By sponsoring and facilitating programs, the Jewish Federation: provides programs and services that meet the needs of the local Jewish community; bring Jews from across the greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys together for Jewish events and causes like the annual Jewish Book Festival, the Festival of Jewish Music, Camp Gan Shalom and more; give people a sense of pride in their Judaism; and serve as a Jewish voice to the broader community.
