Israeli Culture, From N.Y. To L.A.

Dor Chadash and the Israeli Leadership Council celebrate the official announcement at the recent ILC Gala in Los Angeles, an event attended by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

by Sharon Udasin
Staff Writer

Walking the streets of Manhattan, it’s not uncommon to hear snippets of Hebrew conversation every few blocks or so — a young dad pointing out the “kelev gadol” [big dog] to his toddling son — or to witness an Israeli waitress serving hummus to pay for her university studies.

A similar influx of young Israelis has emerged in Los Angeles, but unlike 20- and 30-something Israeli New Yorkers, the L.A. group lacks a sense of community and remains largely isolated from local Jewish organizations, local experts say.

This is where Dor Chadash, which has brought together 30,000 Israeli and American Jewish New Yorkers in the past six years, comes into play.

 “The vision is to create a national community that shares a passion for Israel,” said Tzameret Fuerst, a founding member and chairwoman emeritus of Dor Chadash, who conceived the idea of expanding the organization beyond New York. “It was clear that Los Angeles was an important target.” Continue reading…