Featured readers
We recognize that many of our readers are already doing exciting things to benefit the world, and we want to honor them. Some of their projects have opportunities for involvement, so take a look.
Lila Silvern– This Month’s Featured Reader
Lila Silvern, pictured with her sons Drew and Eric, is the founder of the Drew Silvern affiliate, a non-profit chapter of Scholarship America, Dollars for Scholars. When Lila retired in 2002 from the Los Angeles Unified School District, she was honored with a gift and a request that it be used for a scholarship to honor her son, Drew, who died of brain cancer in 1997. Because of her work as the Director of an educational program for children of migrant workers and her son’s work as an education journalist, she wanted to grant the awards to...
read moreJuliet Béynon
Juliet Béynon serves as project director for K9 connection, a nonprofit program that re-shapes the lives of teens in at-risk situations and guarantees the placement of shelter dogs in permanent, loving homes. “Finding a job where I can help two groups I’ve always been passionate about, has been a dream come true.” “With approximately 11,821 dogs killed in LA City Animal Shelters last year, and thousands of young offenders serving time in juvenile correctional facilities, the proactive approach we offer through year around k9 connection...
read moreJay Grossman, DDS
Jay S, Grossman, DDS is the Founder and CEO of Homeless Not Toothless, a 501C(3) non profit program providing free dental care to the homeless and under-served. He has received wide recognition for his service, including awards from The Los Angeles Times, First Lady Michelle Obama, The U.S. Navy, United States Senators, California State Senators, and Los Angeles Mayors and City Council Members. Dr. Grossman has a practice specializing in Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry in Brentwood, CA. He is Clinical Assistant Professor at both UCLA...
read moreAmeeta Nanji
Ameeta is an artist living and working in Venice, CA. Born to Indian parents in Nairobi, Kenya, she studied art in London. She has exhibited her work in London, Los Angeles, and Venice. Ameeta worked in set decoration on the film Mississippi Masala, and she is co-author of three art books. Last year, Ameeta traveled to Greece to volunteer with Dirty Girls of Lesvos to help refugees by washing and recycling clothing, blankets, and sleeping bags. Here is what she says about her experience: Ninety-nine or probably 100% of us can trace our...
read moreJack Nordhaus
Jack Nordhaus, PhD has been a volunteer with Perfect Pet Rescue (www.perfectpetrescue.com), a West Los Angeles-based dog adoption service for nearly 20 years. He and his wife began their involvement with the program after walking dogs at the PPR boarding facility in Culver City. Today, Dr. Nordhaus spends Saturdays at the PPR mobile adoption location in Santa Monica — on the corner of 15th and Montana. He and his fellow volunteers set up pens for the dogs with toys and water bowls, sit with, walk, and cuddle them, present them to...
read moreJanine Jordan
Janine Jordan is the founder of Green Wave, a non-profit in Costa Rica. In her own words: My name is Janine Jordan. I am an artivist (art + activist), and I have a business degree from USDD that has come into use in starting and running my own non-profit, Green Wave. Although I always had an affinity for Nature, somehow I got unconsciously tangled in and confused by the world of materialism from my teens till my mid-twenties. In 2006, on my first trip to Costa Rica, I would reawaken to the splendor of Nature and choose to dedicate my life...
read moreAziza Hasan
Aziza Hasan, M.A. is Executive Director of NewGround: Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change. Aziza has been part of the NewGround team for a decade. She has extensive experience in program management and coalition building. She has worked with diverse groups to deliver quality programming that developed the skills of its participants in the areas of civic engagement, advocacy, service learning, leadership, conflict transformation and diversity training. An experienced mediator and conflict resolution practitioner, she has co-facilitated...
read moreMary Wright
Mary Wright’s ethereal art has always been inspired by nature. Mary is guided by the interrelation between the four elements – air, earth, fire, water – and the regenerative qualities of nature. Feathers, shells, trees and rock formations hide deeper abstract universes that stimulate her work. Of her work, architect Arthur Dyson says, “Her watercolors are a stream of experience that emphasize sensitivity to the kind of hidden structures that rest beneath the distracting glare of ordinary appearance…she has found a method to bring calm to the...
read moreRonda Spinak
Ronda Spinak, pictured on the left with Salma Hayek and JWT’s PR consultant, Maureen Rubin, is producer and artistic director of Jewish Women’s Theatre, as well as creater and producer of JWT’s At-Homes Salon Theatre Series, now in its tenth season. She has curated more than 35 original Jewish-themed salon shows for JWT, as well as adapted many of the pieces performed. Spinak developed and produced Not That Jewish at JWT’s The Braid, which ran for 16 months, garnered an LA Drama Critics Circle nomination, only stopping to move to...
read moreSusan Dillon
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1994. I then thought my life was over, but it has carried on quite happily. After doing a 12-day hike in Nepal with my husband, I returned home to Cambridge, England and thought “I have the energy to do something for others”. What first drew my attention was an article in the local church newsletter looking for people to join the support committee of the Cambridge and District MS Society. As I had then lived with MS for almost 5 years, I thought this was something that I had come to understand...
read more