Jewish Federation of Palm Springs and Desert Area

06/24/2026

On June 18th, Rabbi Joshua Cohen from LEKET in Israel visited Jewish Federation of the Desert. Known as the “national foodbank” of Israel, LEKET is devoted to addressing food insecurity across Israel by gathering and distributing fresh produce and other nutritious foods to the nearly 2 million Israelis who qualify as food insecure. LEKET has been one of JFED’s partners in Israel for the past several years, and this was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the direct impact of our Federation’s funding in Israel!

L to R: Board Member Dan Weisberg, CEO Danny Labin, Board Member Bryan Kocen, Rabbi Joshua Cohen of LEKET, JFED President Arnie Gillman, Board Member Stephanie Ross and husband Paul, and Board Member Barry Fisher.

06/23/2026

If you missed the presentation at Rancho Mirage City Hall, here is the video produced by DAP Health and the City of Rancho Mirage for our Holocaust Artifacts presentation to the Tolerance Education Center.

A Revivals store volunteer for DAP Health named Carl George alerts CEO David Brinkman that donated items need attention, and at a DAP board meeting Brinkman reveals what are believed to be Holocaust mementos from Revivals. They include a Jewish star and currency notes from the Lodz ghetto. The mini-...

06/21/2026

Check out this article from The Desert Sun:

Holocaust artifacts found at California thrift store will be preserved.

A volunteer at a Palm Springs thrift store was shocked to find two Holocaust artifacts recently. They will be preserved at a local museum.

06/19/2026

On Thursday, all 5 members of the Rancho Mirage City Council convened for a historic event at their Council Chambers. Jewish Federation of the Desert, DAP Health, and Tolerance Education Center collaborated for a special ceremony where objects that survived the Holocaust, and that were recently discovered through DAP Health’s Revivals store donation initiative, were presented to the Tolerance Education Center. The City Council graciously hosted a reception prior to the presentation for JFED board members and supporters to meet the council and representatives from all of the organizations. The objects will become part of Tolerance Education Center’s permanent collection and will be used to further local Holocaust education programming in partnership with JFED. A short documentary was created to commemorate the occasion and was shown at the ceremony, https://vimeo.com/user180948939/download/1198538065/9de100a3e7

06/16/2026

Great interview with CEO Danny Labin about hope and lasting peace in the Middle East!

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) - A newly announced framework peace agreement between the United States and Iran is offering hope for an end to months of conflict, but local leaders say many questions remain as negotiations move forward. The agreement, announced Monday, calls for an immediate halt ....

06/10/2026

Jewish Federation of the Desert hosted a Portrait Exhibition by world renown photographer Limor Garfinkle, “Heroes of Truth Portraits of Courage" and Rachel Heisler from the Soroka Medical Center did a multimedia presentation on the bombing of the Medical Center and a description of the wards affected. She talked about the incredible fortitude of the staff and what is the status of the rebuilding efforts. She gave insight into the partnership JFED has with Soroka, and the critical role the hospital plays in serving the needs of the people of southern Israel.

Through our Federation’s recent Israel Emergency Campaign, JFED provided special emergency funding to Soroka following the significant damage sustained from Iranian ballistic missile strikes during the summer of 2025. We are honored to support the hospital's recovery efforts and to stand with the community it serves, showing the resilience of the people of Israel during this challenging time.

06/03/2026

Danny Labin, CEO, Jewish Federation of the Desert was interviewed by Community Housing Opportunities (CHOC) as part of their Leadership Perspectives Series to discuss how strong communities are built by leaders who are willing to listen, adapt, and guide their organizations through moments of change.

CHOC highlights leaders whose work strengthens the communities where we live and build. In the Coachella Valley, few organizations have had as long and meaningful of a legacy of community impact as Jewish Federation of the Desert.

Watch Interview: https://vimeo.com/1175346786?fl=pl&fe=sh

05/25/2026

The Jewish Federation of the Desert board of directors and staff would like to honor all who have served in the Armed Forces and to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Thank You!

05/15/2026

JFED's Holocaust Art and Poetry Student Contest Winners' Award Ceremony "A New Day Will Rise"

Photos Include:

L to R: CEO Danny Labin, Committee and Judges: Linda Carmi, Talia Lizemer-Hawley, board member Stephanie Ross, Leslie Pepper, Gary Levin, Sandi Danciger and Rabbi J.B. Sacks.

Co-Chairs: Talia Lizemer-Hawley and Gary Levin and facilitator Leslie Pepper.

Mary Lou and Mathew Mandic, 1st Place High School Poetry winner in the Holocaust Art & Poetry Contest

Second Place Poetry Winner Madeline Klein and Delilah Ruiz, Second Place Poetry winner

Third Place Poetry Winner Nayeli Ugalde

First Place Art Winner Julie Zaragoza, and Gary Levin

Second Place Art winner Ellie Hohman

Third Place Art Winner Trenton Nguyen

04/29/2026