On Thursday, June 4, more than 420 people gathered at the Skirball Cultural Center for Jewish Family Service LA’s 33rd Annual Gala, raising more than $1 million to support JFSLA’s vital programs and services.

Centered on the theme Here for LA. Here for Good., the evening reflected a clear message: in a time of rising costs, political chaos, and antisemitism, every individual has the shared responsibility—and the power—to strengthen our community and ensure that hope, compassion, and support remain accessible to all.

The night opened with an inspiring video highlighting a staff member or volunteer from each of JFSLA’s programs describing how they make a difference for the people of Los Angeles. Not only did the video showcase JFSLA’s many services, it was also a call to action, illustrating how everyone has the power to help others and foster positive change.

JFSLA Board Chair Tami Kagan-Abrams welcomed guests and echoed this call to action:

“If you range from bewildered to panicked by what you see unfolding in the world around you, I have good news for you. You can make a difference—a positive difference—and you can do that with us. I am worried, as anyone, or maybe even more, about the new pain inflicted daily on those in our community who are least able to withstand it. But when a friend wails to me, ‘What can we do?’ I don’t treat it like a rhetorical question. I have an answer. ‘How about volunteering at our SOVA food pantry or another one of our programs? You could join our Public Policy Committee and lobby elected officials for social service funding.’ And if I’m feeling particularly bold, ‘What about contributing to JFSLA?’”

Jennifer Hirsh presents Randy Magnin with the Anita and Stanley Hirsh Award.

Jennifer Hirsh, daughter of Anita and Stanley Hirsh, both of blessed memory, presented the Anita and Stanley Hirsh Award to longtime Board member and Immediate Past Board Chair Randy Magnin. In her remarks, Jennifer reflected on the values her parents instilled and the legacy the award seeks to honor:

“This award, established by my parents of blessed memory, is deeply rooted in the value of tzedakah—not simply charity, but responsibility to one another, to community, and to the dignity and humanity of every person. But for my parents, this work was never only about today. They believed equally strongly in encouraging future generations to carry these values forward—to inspire leaders, volunteers, and community members who would continue this work with compassion, humanity, and purpose. That is what this award represents. It honors individuals who not only care deeply for the community, but who also help ensure that these values and this work continue well into the future. And Randy is one of those people.”

Magnin, a Certified Public Accountant and senior partner at Livingston, Omens & Magnin, CPAs, has provided both financial expertise and steady leadership to JFSLA through periods of significant growth and increasing community need. He helped strengthen JFSLA’s governance, financial stewardship, and long-term sustainability.

“Because JFSLA exists, people stay housed. Seniors are less isolated.
Families find relief and stability. People feel supported, seen, and cared for.”

_{— Randy Magnin
Winner, the Anita and Stanley Hirsh Award}

Accepting the award, he reflected on the importance of continuing to support those in need across Los Angeles: “There are far too many people in Los Angeles who are just one crisis away from catastrophe. They are seniors trying to age with dignity. Families facing sudden financial hardship. Parents forced to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table. Individuals struggling with isolation, mental health challenges, or circumstances they never imagined facing.”

Attendees were moved by another video featuring the testimony of a mother who found safety and support through JFSLA’s domestic violence services. Through counseling, case management, and other resources, she was able to rebuild her life and create a more stable future for her family.

Her story also highlighted JFSLA’s holistic approach to care. In addition to receiving support through the domestic violence program, she accessed assistance from the food pantry and participated in Raising Baby, a program that provides parent coaching and support for new and expectant mothers. Her experience demonstrated how JFSLA serves as a comprehensive support system, connecting individuals and families with the services they need at every stage of their journey.

The message of seeing every JFSLA client as a human being, not their challenges, carried directly into the evening’s next moment, as JFSLA President and CEO Eli Veitzer reflected on the organization’s broad impact and the vital role its services play in supporting thousands of individuals and families across Los Angeles.

“40,000 individuals were touched last year by JFSLA. It’s not a small thing at all. And it’s thanks to you. And our thousands of other donors and hundreds of volunteers. And the most amazing, dedicated 300 staff members,” said Veitzer.

“The world may be upside down and backwards right now. We live in a terrifying time. But not at JFSLA. We know what we need to do. And we do what we need to do.”

At the Raise the Paddle fundraiser, $250,000 was raised to help sustain and expand JFSLA’s critical services across Los Angeles in only 15 minutes.

The evening then turned to its final recognition, honoring two individuals whose leadership, advocacy, and philanthropy reflect the values at the heart of JFSLA’s mission.

Emmy Award-winning actress Debra Messing presented the Susie Forer-Dehrey Spirit of Humanity Award to Mandana Dayani and Peter Traugott in recognition of their contributions to civic engagement, media, and philanthropy.

Dayani is a business and civic leader whose career spans entertainment, media, fashion, and technology. She most recently served as President of Archewell, where she helped lead globally recognized media projects, including the #1 Netflix documentary, the #1 Spotify podcast, and a bestselling publication with Penguin Random House. In 2025, she was appointed by President Biden to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council Board of Trustees.

Beyond her executive leadership, Dayani is the founder of multiple philanthropic initiatives, including I Am A Voter, The Calanet Foundation, One Mitzvah a Day, and Our Campus United. She is widely recognized for her advocacy on democracy, antisemitism, and women’s rights, drawing on her experience as a refugee from Iran as a defining force in her activism.

Traugott is a veteran entertainment executive and producer with more than 30 years of experience overseeing the development of more than 50 television series and over 1,000 episodes across major platforms. He currently serves as President of Television at Fifth Season, home to acclaimed series including Severance, Chief of War, and Nine Perfect Strangers. Through his career, he has helped shape storytelling that reaches global audiences while building collaborative creative organizations.

Together, Dayani and Traugott have used their platforms to promote civic engagement, support vulnerable communities, and strengthen connections across diverse groups—values that closely reflect JFSLA’s commitment to service, dignity, and community care.

The 33rd Annual Gala was a timely reminder that each and every one of us has the power to help others. When the world feels upside down, and when it feels like everything is out of our control, JFSLA is stands as a bastion of stability and strength. For more than 170 years, JFSLA has weathered every iteration of hardship and instability; and through those experiences has grown and adapted to better serve the changing needs of our LA community.  

To view our event photo gallery, please visit JFSLA Gala 2026 | Flickr

If you were unable to attend the Gala but would like to donate, please visit jfsla.org/galagiving.