Jewish Cultural Organizations in California

Ha'Am: UCLA's Jewish Newsmagazine is a vibrant student organization at the University of California - Los Angeles dedicated to serving the Jewish student community and broader campus population. Operating within the Los Angeles area, Ha'Am brings together student journalists, writers, and editors who are passionate about amplifying Jewish voices and perspectives on campus. The organization embodies the values of community connection, cultural awareness, and meaningful representation within UCLA's diverse student body. As a student-run newsmagazine, Ha'Am creates space for Jewish students to explore their identity, share their stories, and engage with issues that matter to their community. The publication reflects the rich tapestry of Jewish student life at UCLA and contributes to the university's commitment to supporting student-led initiatives and cultural organizations. Ha'Am's presence in Los Angeles demonstrates the importance of student media in fostering inclusive dialogue and community building. The organization welcomes students from all backgrounds who are interested in journalism, creative writing, editing, and media production. Through its work, Ha'Am strengthens connections among Jewish students while also reaching the broader UCLA community. The newsmagazine serves as a testament to the power of student voices and the vital role that student organizations play in campus life. Based at UCLA in Los Angeles, Ha'Am continues to provide a meaningful platform for Jewish student expression and community engagement within one of the nation's most diverse university environments.

Founded in 2007 by Iranian-American Jewish young professionals in Los Angeles, California, 30 Years After emerged from a simple but powerful conviction: that after three decades of settlement in the United States, the Iranian-American Jewish community had a responsibility to organize, represent itself, and contribute meaningfully to American and Jewish life. The organization was created by and for Iranian-American Jewish professionals who recognized the need for an organized voice that could bridge three powerful identities—Iranian heritage, American citizenship, and Jewish faith. What makes 30 Years After distinctive is its commitment to balancing these three identities through core values drawn from each tradition: Persian concepts like hamsayeh (neighborliness), khosh zaboon (respectful speech), and farhang (culture and civility); American principles of civic responsibility, self-determination, and inalienable rights; and Jewish teachings of generational continuity, mutual responsibility, and social innovation. Operating in Los Angeles, the organization serves as a vital connector between the Iranian-American Jewish community and broader Jewish and civic institutions. Through the Ben Evri project's documentation of community testimonies, community events addressing pressing issues, and fellowship programs developing emerging leaders, 30 Years After honors the past while actively shaping the future. The organization's work reflects a deep belief that the Iranian-American Jewish experience represents a unique and valuable contribution to American society, deserving recognition, preservation, and active participation in civic and communal affairs.