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News

J Los Angeles Celebrates Edana Appel’s Women to Watch Nomination as part of the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Women’s Leadership Symposium & Awards
Los Angeles, CA – June 10, 2025 – J Los Angeles is proud to share that Edana Appel, Director of Camp and Family Programs, has been nominated for “Woman to Watch,” the Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2025 Women’s Leadership Awards. This annual event honors dynamic women leaders whose talent and dedication are shaping the future of Los Angeles across industries and communities.
For a decade, Edana has played a vital role in designing and growing meaningful programs at J Los Angeles, including but not limited to:
JCamp: A vibrant summer experience where campers engage in arts and crafts, sports, field trips, and more, fostering personal growth in a safe and enjoyable environment. JCamp is currently the only ACA-accredited Jewish day camp in Los Angeles, holding it to a performance & safety standard above others in the region.
JExplorers: An experiential Jewish education program for Kindergarten through 7th graders, building positive attitudes towards Judaism, Israel, and Hebrew in a fun, interactive setting.
JCelebrates: Family-oriented programs that bring Shabbat and Jewish holidays to life through engaging and fun activities, strengthening communal bonds.
JKids Theater: A creative after-school space where children explore theater games, storytelling, and movement, fostering expression, teamwork, and confidence.
These programs exemplify J Los Angeles's mission to serve as a welcoming, forward-thinking hub for Jewish life in LA. As the city evolves, JLA remains committed to providing spaces where tradition and innovation coexist—where individuals of all backgrounds can connect, grow, and contribute to a thriving, inclusive future.
Edana will be at the 2025 Women’s Leadership Symposium & Awards on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown. The event begins at 8:00 a.m. with a morning symposium featuring thought-provoking panels such as “The CEO Mindset,” “The Power of the Network,” and “Risk Taking & Innovation,” followed by an awards luncheon from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. where this year’s finalists and winners will be celebrated.
About J Los Angeles
J Los Angeles (JLA) has been a cornerstone of Jewish life in Los Angeles since 1954, originally founded as Westside Jewish Community Center to serve the city’s evolving Jewish population. Over the decades, JLA has grown into a dynamic hub for Jewish connection, education, and engagement, welcoming a diverse community from across Los Angeles—well beyond the intersection of Olympic and Fairfax, where its 100,000-square-foot campus is located. The campus is shared with Westside Jewish Center Apartments, an affordable housing complex. In 2023, JLA rebranded to reflect its modern vision and commitment to shaping the Jewish future in Los Angeles. J Los Angeles is a proud affiliate of the JCC Association of North America. For more information, visit thejla.org or follow J Los Angeles on social media.
For media inquiries, interviews, or more information, please contact:
Dan Saltzman, Marketing & Communications Manager, J Los Angeles , via email at dsaltzman@thejla.org.