This document provides the program for the 8th annual student awards ceremony held by the Holy Land Democracy Project. It lists the winners and honorable mentions for contests in poetry, essay, art, and multimedia. The ceremony will include presentations of the top prizes in each category, as well as remarks from the Jewish Federation president, the Holy Land Democracy Project chair, and a teacher sharing their perspective on bringing lessons from Israel to the classroom. The program aims to recognize outstanding student work promoting understanding of Israel's diversity and celebrate its many faces, races, and religions.

1. THE EIGHTH ANNUAL
STUDENT AWARDS CEREMONY
June 5, 2011
PROGRAM

2. HOLY LAND DEMOCRACY PROJECT
2011 CREATIVE CONTEST WINNERS
POETRY CONTEST WINNERS
FIRST PRIZE
Leila Ehsan, St. Monica (Rita Morgan and Siobhan O’Neill)
SECOND PRIZE
Aniela Tolentino, Mater Dei (Carol Koppenheffer)
Tristan Vanech, Loyola (Tika Lee)
THIRD PRIZE
Jesse Flores, Cathedral (Hilary Aguirre)
HONORABLE MENTION
Melanie Chavez, Bishop Conaty (Lisa Gabriel); Kala Kopecek, St. Joseph (Linda Petrich,
Cynthia Madsen and Allison Ek); Austin Niehaus, Notre Dame (Dave Savage)
ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS
FIRST PRIZE
Karah Alexander, St. Monica (Rita Morgan and Siobhan O’Neill)
SECOND PRIZE
Ariana Castellanos, San Joaquin (Cindy Campbell and Kathleen DeSantis)
Chris Nofal, St. Francis (Mark Fredette)
THIRD PRIZE
David A. Nuno, Cathedral (Hilary Aguirre)
HONORABLE MENTION
Andrew Blair, Bishop Montgomery (John Fitzsimons); Matthew Burdette, Villanova
Preparatory (Brian Grisin); Alfredo DeLoera, Damien (Douglas Hoffman);
Christian Guttierez, Verbum Dei (Karen Chambers); Julia Klein, Mater Dei (Colleen Hall);
Matthew Partyka, St. Monica (Rita Morgan and Siobhan O’Neill)
ART CONTEST WINNERS
FIRST PRIZE
Alexis Lackerman, Rosary (Maureen Tunstill)
SECOND PRIZE
Grant Hodges, Servite (Joe Swoboda)
THIRD PRIZE
Stephen Misak, Bishop Montgomery (Bernadette St. James)
HONORABLE MENTION
Emma Akmakdjian, GHCHS (Annet Kohen); Athena Azpeitia, Mater Dei (Colleen Hall);
Jared Baker, Loyola (Tika Lee); Grant Higa, Bishop Montgomery (John Fitzsimons);
Lauren Hugo, Bishop Montgomery (Bernadette St. James)
Joshua Melton, Oaks Christian (Aaron Marcarelli); Felicity Nelson, Louisville (Mary Wilson)
Adrienne Shamoon, Louisville (Mary Wilson); Stephanie Treat, Santa Margarita (James Nielsen)
MULTIMEDIA CONTEST WINNERS
FIRST PRIZE
Jonathan Benn, St. Francis (Mark Fredette)
SECOND PRIZE
Nathan Wong, Loyola (Tika Lee)
THIRD PRIZE
Katie Coyle, Oaks Christian (Aaron Marcarelli)
HONORABLE MENTION
Monica Eskander/ Lucas Gutierrez/ Zachary Hart/ Kendra Athan, Bishop Montgomery
(Bernadette St. James); Cielito Kirkham, Louisville (Mary Wilson)
2

3. THE JEWISH FEDERATION’S
HOLY LAND DEMOCRACY PROJECT
EIGHTH ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY
June 5, 2011
PROGRAM
WELCOME Sister Angela Hallahan
Secondary School Religion Coordinator
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
TABLE ACTIVITIES Discovering Israel Together
REMARKS FROM Jay Sanderson
THE JEWISH FEDERATION President
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles
THE HOLY LAND Dr. Daniel Lieber
DEMOCRACY PROJECT Chair
The Holy Land Democracy Project
POETRY PRIZE PRESENTATIONS
Teacher Commendation Rita Morgan, St. Monica
Student Award Leila Ehsan
ESSAY PRIZE PRESENTATION
Teacher Commendation Rita Morgan, St. Monica
Student Award Karah Alexander
ART PRIZE PRESENTATION
Teacher Commendation Maureen Tunstill, Rosary
Student Award Alexis Lackerman
SHOWING OF 1ST PLACE VIDEO Jonathan Benn
MUTIMEDIA PRIZE PRESENTATIONS
Teacher Commendation Mark Fredette, St. Francis
Student Award Jonathan Benn
CAPERNAUM TO THE CLASSROOM: Victoria Anderson, Norte Vista
A TEACHER’S PERSPECTIVE
CLOSING THOUGHTS Cosette Carleo, Karlygush Smith,
L’hitraot! Karly Goins, Bishop Montgomery
3

4. Poetry
4

5. First Prize Poetry
Leila Ehsan, St. Monica High School
Rita Morgan and Siobhan O’Neill, Instructors
Excerpt
If you asked my composition,
I would say, I am dirt,
I am gravel.
I am sky, sun, water.
I am country, city and town.
I am beach, I am desert.
If you asked my color,
I would say I am Black, Grey,
Yellow, and Brown.
I am Red, I am Green.
But I stay true
To the White and Blue
If you asked me of my faith,
I would say that I am Jew, Christian,
Muslim and Druze.
With me, you are free
to choose.
If you asked me of my duties,
I would say I am lover.
I am defender.
I have glory, I have might
And I fight for
What I think is right.
If you asked me who I was,
I would say that I am the man
Kneeled in prayer.
I am the daughter off at battle.
I am the mother working all day.
I am the loving grandparents.
I am the son at school.
I am neighbor.
I am friend.
If you were unsatisfied, and thus
Asked for my name
I would say that I am all, and more.
I am dirt, color, faith, duty, person
And I am one.
For I have many faces,
And one united front
Held together by my people
Forever and ever.
I am Israel.
5

6. Second Prize Poetry
Aniela Tolentino, Mater Dei High School
Ms. Koppenheffer, Instructor
Excerpt
I am land of many faces and I face many a man;
Some may question my identity, but I know who I am.
I am the land where many places have caused the fall of many men;
Yet I rise up with hope and splendor, because my spirit can.
I am laden with tradition and carry a rich history,
Hues of skin from ebony to ivory attest to my diversity.
The young, the old, the rich, the poor – are all welcome in my land.
We seek to reach out to each other, we attempt to understand
That no single one group is better and that we’re best when we’re united.
No one group should be ostracized; no one person should be slighted.
Sometimes I am the old wise man who recalls the path he took
By following traditions and sticking to his Holy Book.
With a mezuzah in his home as a reminder of His presence,
With constant religious symbols to remind him of his essence.
At times the face of ebony is one I choose to take
And though my roots are from Ethiopia, I’ve chosen to partake
In the celebration of Israel – a celebration of my Self;
Where I can express my own identity and simply be myself.
At times I’m the teenager with a t-shirt and tight jeans,
But I’m still an Israeli, I still know what it means
To be a part of a rich culture – one that celebrates diversity,
And always hopes in dreams, and rises from adversity.
I’ve weathered many battles and I’ve lived through quite a few
But the biggest battle of all is the one where people do
Not know and appreciate the complexity of who I am.
Where they close their minds, they stereotype, they don’t know how I can
Honor the many faces, races and religions for which I stand.
And now you’re all invited to one big commemoration
For each human that makes a part of me and is worth a celebration.
I know that it may take a while for all of us to come together
But it starts with understanding why a united people’s better.
6

7. Second Prize Poetry
Tristan Vanech, Loyola High School
Ms. Lee, Instructor
Excerpt
She roamed around under the moon
Then folded her wings to rest
And her mind journeyed back to her cocoon
“How naive was I,” she would jest.
She thought, “I know the place I will go
After I grow my wings,
I shall see Israel, I’ll fly over that plateau
I wonder what it brings.”
A perspective only from what she heard
For she was at her beginning stage
From friends she took their word
Her assumptions were these at an early age.
Israelis are only Jews, aren’t they?
Ha, of course they’re not,
This area to her was gray
But now she could answer on the spot.
Muslims, Christians and more
Live and thrive in that land,
Religious diversity does soar
They accept any religious brand.
The Dome of the Rock stands
On their most holy place, the Temple Mount.
But the Jews don’t mind, they share the land –
To them, staying peaceful is all that counts.
The butterfly’s development and new perceptions reflect my changed under-
standing of the Middle East and Israel’s place … Her assumptions from what she
heard “from friends” are exaggerations of the myths I have heard or assump-
tions I have made.
7

8. Third Prize Poetry
Jesse Flores, Cathedral High School
Ms. Aguirre, Instructor
Excerpt
You are no different from us
Yet the portraits we paint are of sheer terror.
These images shed and replaced by reality.
A reality we are no longer strangers to,
One where we are united under grace.
The blinds opened to shone Truth.
Truth of a country I knew little of.
Where you dream and aspire to all you can be.
The culture we share,
The friend I see in you.
Hidden under a guise torn to show your Beauty.
Your own uniqueness that I welcome
With open mind and open heart you are a brother.
Your home plagued by hostility,
Hostility grown out of confusion and insecurity.
Lives lost for a better future, invigorated by optimistic prospects,
You serve your country with zeal.
The many faces shone to the world.
Discoveries made of relative connections between us
Personalities that show homogeneity,
Leads to bonds that harbor compassion.
Israel, home to a diverse people,
Land of God that unites all,
We are one.
8

9. Honorable Mention Poetry
Kala Kopecek, St. Joseph High School
Ms. Petrich, Ms. Madsen, Ms. Ek, Instructors
Excerpt
Not a third world country
A booming, thriving land
Its size is trivial
Its accomplishments are many
Not the home for terrorists
A safe haven for the persecuted
Freedom for the religious
Diversity is welcome
Not strangers
Children, Wives, Uncles
All with dreams like us
Our brothers and sisters
9

10. Honorable Mention Poetry
Melanie Chavez, Bishop Conaty – Our Lady of Loretto High School
Ms. Gabriel, Instructor
Excerpt
Abraham the father of my people,
God the father of life,
Israel the land of my people,
Jew is what I am.
I was born the daughter of my parents
I did not choose my life
It chose me.
Jew is what I am.
In the year 587 Babylonians exiled us.
Destroyed our temple, but not our spirits.
My ancestors travelled from place to place
They knew soon they would have their land back
Jews would call Israel their home once again.
Jew is what I am.
Brown hair, Brown eyes,
Star of David around my neck.
A reminder of what my grandparents went through
Concentration camps where they were held
My grandmother’s brothers were tortured and killed.
My grandmother has numbers imprinted on her arm
My family survived never denying their Jewish faith.
Jew is what I am.
Israel is my home.
I am strong, I am Proud,
I am a Jew.
Jew is what I am.
10

11. Honorable Mention Poetry
Austin Niehaus, Notre Dame High School
Mr. Savage, Instructor
Excerpt
Forget not the Sabbath,
Its mention is like a pleasant offering.
During it the dove found resting place,
And there the weary may relax.
The day is honored by the children of faith,
Careful to observe it are fathers and sons.
Engraved upon two tablets of stone,
From great power and mighty strength.
And they all came in covenant together,
In unison they said, “We shall do and we shall listen.”
And they commenced and answered, “God is one.”
Blessed is he that gives strength to the weary.
And all of his commandments to be completed together
Strengthen the loins and gather up power.
The nation that is in motion, like lost sheep,
By covenant he will remember to recall it,
So that an evil happening may not befall them,
Just as you have sworn by the waters of Noah.
11

12. Essays
12

13. First Prize Essay
Karah Alexander, St. Monica High School
Ms. Morgan and Ms. O’Neill, Instructors
Excerpt
“Me, We”
E very time I turn on the news they would depict the Middle East as a war
zone … every time you hear the region “Middle East,” I immediately think
back to the early eighth and ninth century, when the Middle East [had] the
largest and most brutal African slave market. When hearing about this week-
long study our class was going to take part in about Israel and the Middle East,
my mind immediately shut down, and I actually grew very upset; why in the
world would I want to learn and understand more about a region that brutal-
ized and caused so much harm amongst my ancestors? But through presenta-
tions, videos, speakers and book study, my whole perception was going to
change.
Teenagers [in Israel] … are not sad or defiant when being notified that they
must serve -- instead they show excitement and pleasure, which brings out
the honor of their country. Though my family is pacifist … I showed nothing
but great respect towards those teens who show so much honor toward their
homeland in being willing to fight for their country.
I could go on and on about all what learned about Israel … How much their
lifestyles relate to ours in the United States … and how much their govern-
ment resembles ours, as they live under a democracy. My whole view on the
Middle East took a drastic turn, probably because my ignorance stepped aside.
It was time for me to step out of the past, a past that I am not even so definite
in understanding, and start looking at things in a new light, with an open
mind. [Israel] is far more than the battlefield the news always seems to portray
…. Sometimes the media, history books and in my case our so called ‘extreme
cultural views’ can twist different situations and cause a total misunderstand-
ing, which can lead to a great deal of ignorance among people.
After learning so much about such a wonderful country, Israel and the Middle
East are no longer a part of the word “they” but now, like the great
Muhammed Ali so poetically said, it is “Me, We.”
I am one with them. I understand.
13

14. Second Prize Essay
Arieana Castellanos, San Joaquin Memorial High School
Ms. Campbell, Instructor
Excerpt
T he faces of Israel are tear-streaked. They are heavy with exhaustion and
scarred with the effects of a war-torn past. They are happy and thankful for
the life they have. They laugh, they cry. They are ready for a long overdue
peace. They long for a country where a military draft is not a necessity. They
long for acceptance of their religious and political freedom from their neighbors.
Those are the faces of Israel ….
It’s face …. Is that of a fighter. A fighter in a boxing ring who never gets a break.
It’s not bitter, but tired. Israel’s face, the country itself, is stubborn and will not
back down.
[Israel’s] not a house, it is a home.
14

15. Second Prize Essay
Chris Nofal, St. Francis High School
Mr. Fredette, Instructor
Excerpt
M y views about the Middle East have been greatly affected by this project.
I myself am Lebanese and Palestinian and not very educated about either
one. I thought that the entire Middle East consists of many different Arabs fight-
ing over land and being in constant chaos and turmoil … I now know that the
Israelis, mainly Jews, just want somewhere where they can live in peace. Even
though it’s a Jewish state, they were and are still willing to coexist with the Pales-
tinians in Israel. Being part Palestinian, I feel that the Palestinian people should
revolt against Hamas and bring them down, so that they do the sensible thing
and make peace with the Israelis.
I still believe that many countries in the Middle East are in turmoil and want to
keep fighting wars, but I have learned that Israel is not one of them … I feel
that the press utterly condemns them for every bad thing they do. I have learned
that Israel, for the most part, retaliates after being attacked several times, for
they do not want to cause anyone harm. Once they retaliate, the world con-
demns Israel for being a bully and responding with such force. Israel will never
be rid of war unless the Palestinians and the Israelis agree to a compromise, one
wipes out the other, or the Palestinians take control of their own lives and free
themselves of Hamas and Hezbollah.
15

16. Third Prize Essay
David Nuno, Cathedral High School
Ms. Aguirre, Instructor
Excerpt
E stablished in 1948, the modern state of Israel is home to people from diverse
ethnic backgrounds and religious practices. With a president, prime minister,
parliament and over twenty-five political parties, Israeli citizens are guaranteed
many rights similar to the many freedoms Americans enjoy. In fact, Israel is the
most democratic country in the Middle East. Israel’s commitment to democracy
and democratic values, however, is unsurprising, as it was founded by individuals
seeking freedom and refuge from years of inequity and persecution. While mod-
ern-day Israel’s establishment is only recent, the deep and historical connection
of the Jewish people to the Holy Land dates back over three thousand years.
With the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem and therefore no center of wor-
ship for Jews, Rabbinic Judaism allowed Jews to preserve their religion and rela-
tionships in spite of their exile. Several modern-day Jewish rituals, customs, and
prayers that have been passed down for generations, in fact, serve as reminders
of the Holy Land, their exile and the Jewish promise to return to it and restore it.
Jews’ attachment to Israel permeates nearly every facet of their daily routines.
Nevertheless, while Jews held a deep feeling of attachment toward the Land of
Israel, they remained passive when it came to its actual restoration. Believing that
such actions would demonstrate their lack of faith in God, Jews patiently prayed
and adhered to their religious practices. It was not until the second half of the
19th century that an active movement for Jewish return to the Holy Land
emerged. The Age of Enlightenment’s emphasis on rationality and equality, along
with the French revolution, brought about a new political model. Jews, particu-
larly those in eastern Europe, often faced fierce discrimination, and exclusion from
the national movements of Europe. Furthermore, nationalism and liberalism cre-
ated a new Jewish self-awareness in which Jews began to ask questions about
their history, cultural origins and identity beyond religious terms. Zionism, a na-
tionalist Jewish political movement, thus emerged.
16

17. Honorable Mention Essays
Alfredo DeLoera, Damien High School
Mr. Hoffman, Instructor
Excerpt
I n the last week, I’ve been exposed to Israel in a different way.
I thought it was a large nation with constant religious wars. In reality, it’s a hum-
ble nation of everyday people. I had the misconception that all women were
covered up all the time, so there was definitely a shock when I saw the “Distant
Friends” video and there were girls in bikinis.
It was a big surprise to me to see how the teenagers in “Distant Friends” were a
lot like me and my friends. I was really surprised when Shlomi said he listened to
Guns ‘N Roses, Iron Maiden and Nirvana, because I love all those bands …. I
learned that all of the citizens of Israel join the military as opposed to choosing
[to join], but what really surprised me was that the people were more than ready,
they were excited to serve.
17

18. Honorable Mention Essays
Julia Klein, Mater Dei High School
Ms. Hall, Instructor
Excerpt
T he Jewish people don’t think of Israel as just a place of heritage, but it is
thought of as a sacred place where their traditions began and grew. Unlike
the Jewish people, many Americans take their homeland for granted. Sadly,
the majority of Americans don’t realize how truly fortunate they are to live in
a land of freedom.
Jews have lived in Israel for more than 3.200 years. During these years, the Jewish
people have had a continuous presence in Israel. Jews were not always in political
control of the land, and also were not always the ruling majority of the popula-
tion. The land is thought to be so holy that just walking in it can gain you a place
in heaven. Many of the daily prayers also ask for a return to Israel. Lastly … Jew-
ish holidays root back to Israel, where it all began.
I feel it is amazing how the Jewish people cherish their homeland every day. I
am going to try to make sure I thank God more often about how fortunate I am
to live in America …
18

19. Honorable Mention Essays
Matthew Partyka, St. Monica High School
Ms. Morgan and Ms. O’Neill, Instructors
Excerpt
T he Jewish people show us how we can rise from tragedy and how we
should not be afraid to express our true identities. Most importantly, the
Jewish people have shown us that human will can triumph all.
Prior to this project, I had this idea that Israel was a major source for many of the
problems in the Middle East and that they had a difficult time getting along with
others. Part of this idea stemmed from my lack of participation in global news
events. This project and the recent revolution in Egypt have encouraged me to
become more involved in the news and to be more aware of events occurring in
different parts of the world. It has also given me the desire to better understand
how these events may pertain to my life and how they can affect me in my future.
The most interesting thing I learned from this project was how being Jewish not
only defines a religion, but how it also defines a way of life and a nationality. I
find that concept fascinating and I don’t think many people realize what that
truly means.
Being a Catholic, I understand and appreciate the religious significance the Holy
Land provides and the rich Jewish culture it shares with the rest of the world.
19

20. Honorable Mention Essays
Matthew Burdette, Villanova Preparatory School
Mr. Grisin, Instructor
Excerpt
Israel’s commitment to Democracy is truly outstanding, as they are one of the
greatest examples of a working democracy in the Middle East – especially
when surrounded by neighboring countries who seem to abhor their freedom.
The Knesset is composed of 120 members, who pass all laws … Each member serves
a four year term, being elected by anyone 18 or older, through means of the secret
ballot, much like the United States. Unlike our two [political] parties, they have
dozens, truly representing every viewpoint … The draft is not an encroachment
upon the freedoms of the people of Israel, it is insurance for the continuance of those
freedoms. They are not lessening their democracy in instituting the mandatory draft,
just securing it.
20

21. Honorable Mention Essays
Austin Niehaus, Notre Dame High School
Mr. Savage, Instructor
Excerpt
S tarting a new life anywhere can bring hardships … You could say that Wilm-
ington is to Hispanics much like Israel is to the Jews; this is where they
thrived … Like my grandparents, the Jews have always been hard workers,
but no matter how much they tried to assimilate and work in everyday society
they still had prejudiced views held against them.
Now I look up to my grandparents and Jews as strong people who I strive to be
like, the people who defy the odds, and have an outlook on life that is, “The glass
is half full.”
21

22. Honorable Mention Essays
Christian Gutierez, Verbum Dei High School
Ms. Chambers, Instructor
Excerpt
T hroughout time, the Jewish people have searched for a place, a home, or
a land to call their own where there is no discrimination or anti-Semitic
acts forced upon them … After having their land lost, the Jewish people spread
themselves throughout the entire world, but they were not accepted any-
where. Finally, one man named Theodore Herzl stood up and said, “We’ve
been trying to fit in – but every place we go, we are not accepted. We need a
place of our own. Israel is the only place where we have been together without
discrimination and among our own and at peace.”
After World War II the UN thought back to Herzl and concluded that the land of
Israel needed to be shared by the Arab people and the Israelis.
22

23. Art
23

24. First Prize Art
Alexis Lackerman, Rosary High School
Ms. Tunstill, Instructor
Empathy
Iwanted to make my project relevant to what we have been studying in class,
so I chose to take the phrase “step in their shoes” literally by basing my project
around a pair of shoes. The right shoe is the “Past” shoe. It shows what the Jewish
people have come from (discrimination, prejudice, etc…) and also what they
value. The outline of Israel is blue because the colors of the flag of Israel are white
and blue. The pair of old eyes symbolizes the old generation, and the barbed wire
and the yellow star of David represents the terrible tragedy of the Holocaust.
The left shoe is the “Present” shoe, showing a “present-day”star of David. The
I.D.F logo represents the Israeli Defense Forces and the military which every young
person must enter when they reach the age of 18. The pair of young eyes represents
the new generations building up Israel. The hand is reaching up to the yellow
flower to show that the people of Israel are reaching towards the bright future.
The vines and purple growing around the hand and shoe represent the growing
of the population both within Israel and in other parts of the world.
24

25. Second Prize Art
Grant Hodges, Servite High School
Mr. Swoboda, Mr. Weir, Instructors
C oming into this week I heard
we would learn about Israel. I
thought to myself, “I already
know that the people there are
Jews and that Jesus was born
there.” But at the end of the
week I realized it really wasn’t all
that simple. The people aren’t all
of the Jewish faith, and not all of
the people are really too different
from us. The first person you see
on my project near the top right
corner of the country is an Israeli
teenage boy. He is 14 years old
and likes rock music and playing
guitar. He goes to school and thinks
about joining the military to serve
his country in combat. Not much
different from a teenager here, is
it? To his left is a Russian immigrant
to the country. Her parents moved
there when she was very young
and is now living a very normal
life as an adult who is now very
successful and high in business. This is very similar to a person moving out of state
here. On the bottom left corner is a man who left Columbia to come here. He did
this when he was an adult and found a better lifestyle here than in Columbia. He
now works for the military as an engineer and for intelligence rather than combat.
25

26. Third Prize Art
Stephen Misak, Bishop Montgomery High School
Ms. St. James, Instructor
T his sculpture represents my understanding of
the Middle East, including my idea of The
Many Faces of Israel.
The tower in the center is the beacon that is
Israel, calling everyone home to the land of God.
The many different colors and the variety of
people on the tower represent the strength from
the unity of a diverse people.
The people all stand together protecting the land
and the values they stand for. Though they do not
look alike, they share a common bond that goes
deeper than anything else.
The tower stands surrounded by a dark disarray
of strange objects. These represent the nations that surround the tower, but none
of them touch it. The tower stands deeply planted in the ground and rises up
above it all out of the darkness that surrounds it.
The common faith in God shared by the people can be seen and felt in Israel
through its entire population and it is the power of this faith and the tenacity of
the people that makes the tower stand tall and proud in the midst of all that is
surrounding it.
The person holding the crystal represents Israel offering to make peace with all
those around them and to share their deep bond with everyone.
The sculpture overall portrays the image of Israel as a light in a dark land. Its light
will never be extinguished because the fuel that keeps it lit will never run out and
can never be taken away from Israel and its people.
And lastly there to his left is an older Arab woman who fled to Israel in the war of
Independence. She sought a better future for her family. Any person in our coun-
try would also leave where they were in order to have a better life. People over
there, as you can see, are not much more different from us. This overall display I
have presented is to symbolize that even though the people there are diverse,
they still come together to create a peaceful world, as any people would want for
their country.
26

27. First Prize Multi-Media
Jonathan Benn, St. Francis High School
Mr. Fredette, Instructor
27

28. The Jewish Federation’s Holy Land
Democracy Project educates non-Jewish
high school students throughout
Los Angeles about modern Israel by
sending their teachers there. The result
is a cadre of educators at Catholic, Evangelical and Charter schools
who have shared powerful, first-hand experiences with more than
22,000 diverse students. Educators study the history and diversity of the
Jewish people, the democracy of Israel, as well as the challenges and
complexities of Arab/Israeli relations. The program includes teacher training,
a curriculum called The Many Faces of Israel, and a contest showcasing
students’ essays, poetry and art depicting what they learned about the
only democracy in the Middle East. The resulting understanding of Israel
creates a new perspective on Jewish life around the world. Since the pro-
gram’s inception in 2004, more than 50 schools have participated and
more than 90 educators have made this perspective-changing journey
and returned to share their experience with their students.
Tikkun olam, a Hebrew expression which means
“repair the world,” is a historic and core Jewish
value – and why reaching out to address the needs
of the entire community is one of the goals of
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. The
central coordinating organization for the Jewish
community, the Federation fulfills this goal by
operating and funding a broad range of humanitarian programs on a
non-sectarian basis, open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. These
essential programs offer food for the hungry, care for the elderly, help to
battered women, job training for those seeking employment, interest-
free loans to those in need, literacy programs for our young people, and
much more.
28

29. We humbly thank all of the inspiring educators and outstanding schools who
have partnered with us in building bridges between our communities and
sharing the miracle of Israel with over 22,000 students in Los Angeles,
Orange County, Fresno, Bakersfield and San Bernardino.
TEACHER SCHOOL
Hilary Aguirre-Yribarren Cathedral High School
Janice Allen Oaks Christian High School
Anunciacion Anderson Junipero Serra High School
Victoria Anderson Norte Vista High School
Maria Andrade-Johnson Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Victor Arenas Bishop Amat Memorial High School
Randy Aust Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Justin Bailey Pacifica Christian High School
Joe Banfield St. Anthony High School
Maggie Bove-LaMonica Verbum Dei High School
Roxanne Brush St. Genevieve High School
Judy Burton Alliance College-Ready Public Schools
Michele Butorac St. Matthias High School
Eric Cadena Chaminade College Preparatory
Cindy Campbell San Joaquin Memorial High School
Jennifer Campbel St. Anthony High School
Raul Carranza College-Ready Academy High School #7
Karen Chambers Verbum Dei High School
Edward Clark Damien High School
John Collins Pomona Catholic High School
Scott Comer Pacifica Christian High School
Kat Cook Bishop Amat Memorial High School
Nancy Coonis Notre Dame Academy
Vera De Artola Notre Dame High School
Kathleen DeSantis San Joaquin Memorial High School
Roger DeSilva Notre Dame High School
Jeffrey Dewey Oaks Christian High School
Karina Diaz Marc and Eva Stern Math and Science School
Jeanine DiCesaris-Kraybill Pomona Catholic High School
Allison Ek St. Joseph High School
Stephen Felkner Junipero Serra High School
John Fitzsimons Bishop Montgomery High School
Mark Fredette St. Francis High School
Lisa Gabriel Bishop Conaty-Our Lady of Loretto High School
Shannon Gavin Rosary High School
Blair Gillam Oaks Christian High School
Marcos Gonzalez San Gabriel Mission High School
Margaret Govero St. Bernard Catholic High School
Brian Grisin Villanova Preparatory School
April Gutierrez Sacred Heart High School
Stephen Hagberg Oaks Christian High School
Colleen Hall Mater Dei High School
Holly Haynes Mater Dei High School
Kevin Hernandez Huntington Park College-Ready Academy High School
Rodolfo Hernandez Bishop Amat Memorial High School
Michael Herrera St. Bonaventure High School
Douglas Hoffman Damien High School
Stephanie Hofmann Gertz-Ressler High School
Christopher James Leuzinger High School
29

30. Shane Johnson Villanova Preparatory School
Mary Killmond Bishop Alemany High School
William Klein Marymount High School
Annet Kohen Granada Hills Charter High School
Carol Koppenheffer Mater Dei High School
Claude LeBlanc Don Bosco Technical Institute
Tika Lee Loyola High School
Cindy Lee - Moon Notre Dame High School
Maureen Linehan Ramona Convent Secondary School
Cynthia Madsen St. Joseph High School
Aaron Marcarelli Oaks Christian School
Dean Marolla College-Ready Academy High School #5
Mary Marsella Garces Memorial High School
Chalio Medrano Huntington Park College-Ready Academy High School
Sonya Mercado St. Bonaventure High School
Conan Moats Heritage College-Ready Academy High School
Kathy Morgan St. Monica Catholic High School
Rita Morgan St. Monica Catholic High School
Denis Munoz St. Bernard Catholic High School
Allicen Naal Pomona Catholic High School
Fatima Nicdao St. Monica Catholic High School
James Nielsen Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Lisa Nollette Rosary High School
Ray Nolte Damien High School
Marc Nuno St. Monica Catholic High School
Nate Nylander Oaks Christian School
Siobhan O’Neill St. Monica Catholic High School
Kristina Ortega Chaminade College Preparatory
Robert Pambello Heritage College-Ready Academy High School
Jason Parrot St. Bernard Catholic High School
Jeanette Pascua Notre Dame High School
Gary Pate Oaks Christian School
William Perales Mary Star of the Sea
Elisa Perez Ramona Convent Secondary School
Linda Petrich St. Joseph High School
Michelle Purghart Holy Family High School College Preparatory
Tomas Renna Bishop Montgomery High School
April Risteff Chaminade College Prepatory
Susan Rizo Garces Memorial High School
Vanessa Sandoval College-Ready Academy High School #5
David Savage Notre Dame High School
Stephen Schumacher Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Michael Sifter Alverno High School
Tom Silva Pacifica Christian High School
Craig Smith Santa Margarita High School
Bernadette St. James Bishop Montgomery High School
Joe Swoboda Servite High School
Maureen Tunstill Rosary High School
Steve Viau Mater Dei High School
Melea Walden Jserra Catholic High School
Chris Weir Servite High School
Josh Wilson Louisville High School
Mary Wilson Louisville High School
Robin Winkler Granada Hills Charter High School
Theresa Yugar Sacred Heart High School
Dennis Yumul St. Genevieve High School
30

31. Advisory Council
Malka Blitz, Julie I. Bram, Eric J. Diamond, Irwin S. Field, Dalia Franco,
Abner D. Goldstine, Dennis A. Gura, Stanley Kandel, Leslie Kessler,
Sharon L. Krischer, Arlene Kupietzky, Dr. Daniel Lieber, Chair,
Linda Mayman, Alex Miller, Marla Rosen, Faith Schames,
Moshe Shmuel, Terri Smooke, Lisa Ullmann
Community Engagement Executive Committee
Loryn D Arkow, Marc Carrel, Vice Chair, Daniel T. Gryczman,
David Lash, Glenn A. Sonnenberg, Chair
The Jewish Federation
Richard V. Sandler, Chairman of the Board
Jay Sanderson, President
Andrew Cushnir, Executive Vice President/Chief Program Officer
Catherine Schneider, Senior Vice President/Community Engagement
Rabbi Hal Greenwald, Assistant Director/Holy Land Democracy Project
www.JewishLA.org
Additional exhibit photography generously provided by Pini Dror Photography.
The Holy Land Democracy Project is an initiative of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles in
partnership with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the Diocese of Orange, the Diocese of Fresno, the Diocese
of San Bernardino, Oaks Christian School, Granada Hills Charter High School and Pacifica Christian High School.