In this episode, JFN CEO Andres Spokoiny speaks with Rabbi Noah Farkas, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. Noah’s career has been shaped by crisis leadership: from his time as a Navy chaplain in Iraq, to rebuilding Jewish life in Biloxi after Hurricane Katrina, to guiding his community through the aftermath of October 7th and the devastating California wildfires.

We explore how his background in trauma care, disaster response, and Jewish values has informed a bold philanthropic strategy in a time of volatility and uncertainty. You’ll hear how the L.A. Federation evacuated 300,000 residents, reopened early childhood centers, and launched new funds to restore Jewish communal life—from preschools to summer camps to professional pipelines. Noah shares why federations are the Jewish community’s “9-1-1,” and how moral clarity and rapid action can build resilience for the long haul.

Take a listen.

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 | Zoom
11:00am ET | 8:00am PT | 6:00pm IT

Join us for an interactive session with JFN staff and unlock the full potential of your JFN membership. This is your chance to connect with fellow members, meet our dedicated JFN team, and discover everything we offer to enhance your philanthropic journey. You'll also have an opportunity to meet Julia Malkin Reger, JFN's new Vice President, Philanthropic Engagement.

In this session, you'll get the inside scoop on membership benefits, tips for navigating our website, and an overview of our diverse programs and peer networks. Whether you're a newcomer or a long-time member seeking a refresher, we’ve crafted this experience to deepen your connection with the JFN community.

This week’s program with Dr. Keren Fraiman tackled one of the toughest topics in Jewish education: why so many educators hesitate to teach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and how we can change that. Dr. Fraiman discussed her award-winning research in a compelling conversation with Rabbi B. Elka Abrahamson, and we’re pleased to make the recording available to watch now.

We encourage you to read “Barriers to Entry: Exploring Educator Reticence for Engaging with the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” by Keren E. Fraiman, in Teaching Israel: Studies of Pedagogy from the Field, edited by Sivan Zakai and Matt Reingold (Brandeis University Press, 2024), available here.