No images? Click here
Adamah LA Celebrates Three Months of Growth Thanks to Supporters Like You
The past three months of Adamah LA have been a sprint of connections, ideas, and dreams. The pain of the 2025 fires, mudslides, and destruction still singe. But there’s a soothing balm of community support (both hugs and grants) that I have been privileged to experience in my new role at Adamah. This past weekend I went hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains. The hills so badly burned in the tornado firestorms, have begun to green and breathe life again. It’s a beautiful reminder of the power of resilience. And the resilience of the LA community is strong!
As we close 2025, we are celebrating 15 new LA organizations who have joined Adamah's Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition, 8 organizations who received matching grants toward sustainable facilities, and the leadership and community that propel us.
B' Shalom from Adamah LA,
Becca Bodenstein
Founding Hub Director, Adamah LA
becca.bodenstein@adamah.org
213.510.0186
Climate Grants
Mazel tov to the following Coalition members who received over $120,000 total in matching grants to support solar, electrification and decarbonization efforts on their campuses.
🔆LA Sustainability Fund Grantees:
- American Jewish University – white roof
- Habonim Dror Camp Gilboa – solar
- Hillel Hebrew Academy – solar
- Hillel UCLA – solar
- Congregation Kol Ami – LED expansion and upgrade
- Shalom Institute – emergency solar generators and electric landscape equipment
- Valley Beth Shalom – solar
🔆Orange County Climate Fund Grantee: Merage JCC – VDF Pool Pump
*The LA Sustainability Fund will hold another round of matching grants in Spring 2026 and is supported by the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles; Susan Mattisinko and Robert De Leon.
Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition
Welcome New Los Angeles Coalition Members
(Joined September-November 2025):
- American Jewish University (Brandeis)
- The Braid (Santa Monica)
- Congregation Kol Ami (Los Angeles)
- de Toledo High School (West Hills)
- Habonim Dror Camp Gilboa (Los Angeles)
- Hillel Hebrew Academy (Beverly Hills)
- Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles (Los Angeles)
- Mishkon Tephilo (Venice)
9. Pasadena Jewish Center and Temple (Pasadena)
10. Pico Union Project (Los Angeles)
11. Shemesh Farms (Malibu)
12. Silverlake Independent JCC (Los Angeles)
13. Skirball Cultural Center (Los Angeles)
14. SoCal Arbeter Ring/Workman's Circle (Los Angeles)
15. Temple Etz Chaim (Thousand Oaks)
Join Adamah's Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition now and get started on your sustainability journey.
Humans of Adamah
Susan Mattisinko and Robert De Leon
“It is deeply meaningful to be part of recruiting and nurturing members of the Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition and to collaborate with the dedicated and talented team of Adamah staff and lay leaders.”
Susan Mattisinko and Robert De Leon are forces of tremendous good in the Jewish community. Their relentless focus and support of environmental sustainability in Orange County and now Los Angeles, is a model of leadership in a time when we all need it more than ever.
Please join Susan and Robert in supporting environmental sustainability operations, program and education. CLICK HERE to learn about all of our Humans of Adamah.
Upcoming Adamah LA Events
Jewish Youth Climate Movement (JYCM) Chanukah Hike
December 7, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Exact LA location will be sent upon registration
This is a beautiful opportunity for teens to connect with nature, build relationships with community members, and celebrate Chanukah in nature.
ReTreat Yourself! Camp Ramah California Edition
June 5-7, 2026
Camp Ramah in California
Work for a Jewish Org? Come to this retreat at no cost to you.
Forge meaningful relationships with colleagues in your region while engaging with powerful religious and spiritual practice and Jewish learning.
Join the Jewish Green Business Network (JGBN)
Calling all Climate and Sustainability Professionals:
Join the Jewish Green Business Network, powered by Adamah, to accelerate climate action and strengthen Jewish peoplehood. Whether you are looking for opportunities in climate, ESG, sustainability, renewable energy, agriculture etc. Join now to get updates on Climate Week LA events!
Recent Adamah LA Events
Adamah on Campus: California Retreat at the Brandeis-Bardin Campus of the American Jewish University
26 students from 14 universities across California participated!
- 85% expressed increased confidence in their ability to lead climate initiatives on their campuses
- 100% reported that they formed meaningful cross-campus connections
- 100 emergency kits assembled for LA wildfire victims in partnership with Repair the World and Moishe House
Shemesh Farms Pumpkin Smash
Adamah LA supported and participated in the annual Pumpkin Smash which also included a Pe’ah Garden and accessible pathway dedication.
Native Seed Bombs at Nefesh
Adamah LA taught about the importance of planting of native species in the early winter and how it builds a connected community to all living things.
DONATE
As a tree must first establish its roots, we too are establishing our roots here in LA. We are coming together, learning from one another, allowing our Jewish traditions to guide and elevate us to build a better, brighter world. Environmental stewardship is truly one of the most vibrant, burgeoning movements in Jewish life today, and the voices of Jewish youth here in LA are calling. We invite you to support our critical work here in LA to bring light and hope to Jewish peoplehood here and everywhere.
We welcome gifts through Donor Advised Funds and stock transfers.
Checks may be made payable to “Adamah" and mailed to
Adamah, 5425 Mt. Gilead Rd. Reisterstown, MD 21136.
If you need any assistance, please email donate@adamah.org.
EIN: 43-2080719
Did you receive this email from a friend?
Continue the journey with us and sign up for our newsletter here.
Adamah LA is generously supported by:
Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation
Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles
Samueli Foundation
Individual Donors
