About the Young Leadership Western Region

Young Leadership Los Angeles (YL-LA) was founded in 2005 by Ari Ryan, Joseph Simantob, Larry M. Schnaid, and Jon Waterman. YL-LA is comprised of socially motivated and active individuals that provide volunteer support in producing events that help fulfill FIDF’s mission.

YL-LA hosts a range of social and educational events throughout the year designed for young professionals in the greater Los Angeles area. Events include festivals, mixers, Shabbat dinners, Soldier Series, Sunday Shvitz classes, and a National Mission to Israel. The YL-LA Young Leadership Gala is the premiere young Jewish philanthropic event of the year complete with dinner, dancing, live entertainment, and gambling; it brings together more than 1,200 young professionals.

One of YL-LA’s most noteworthy accomplishments includes funding the lobby inside of the Central Synagogue in IDF’s Negev Base, an Outdoor Leisure Corner for the soldiers of Golani Brigade, Lone Soldier flights home, and IMPACT! scholarships for ex-soldiers.