Community Involvement

The Shalom Hartman Institute

The Shalom Hartman Institute is a pluralistic center of research and education deepening and elevating the quality of Jewish life in Israel and around the world. Through the institute’s work, it is redefining the conversation about Judaism in modernity, religious pluralism, Israeli democracy, Israel and world Jewry and the relationship with other faith communities. The Hartman Institute is a center of transformative thinking and teaching that addresses the major challenges facing the Jewish people, and elevates the quality of Jewish life in Israel and around the world.

Marshall S. Zolla is a member of the Board of Directors of the Hartman Institute and attends Board of Directors meetings in New York and Jerusalem; he also attends the Community Leadership Program (CLP) study retreat in Israel during the Summer.

OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center

OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center is a non-profit and non-sectarian organization that offers grief support groups for people of all ages from young children, to teenagers, to adults to help them cope with the loss of a loved one whether it’s a loss of a parent, sibling, spouse, child, grandparent, family member, or friend. The support groups are age and relationship specific. OUR HOUSE has offices in West Los Angeles and Woodland Hills and also offers grief support groups in our local schools helping grieving children in low-income and underserved areas of Los Angeles County. OUR HOUSE is also the Los Angeles branch for Camp Erin, a bereavement camp designed for children ages 6-17, who have experienced the death of a family member or friend within the last 3 years. Camp Erin is a traditional, fun, high-energy camp combined with grief education and is free of charge to all families.

Deborah Elizabeth Zolla has served on the Associate Board of OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center.

AJC – The American Jewish Committee

AJC is the leading global Jewish advocacy organization, with unparalleled access to diplomats, government officials, and religious leaders around the world. AJC’s unique global architecture spans six continents. As a result, AJC understands the issues in depth, maintains relationships with many of the world’s key decision-makers, and seeks to have an impact in policy decisions. AJC has been called the state department of the Jewish people.

Marshall S. Zolla served as a member of the national board, and continues to be a member of the Los Angeles board. He has participated in two AJC diplomatic missions to Israel.

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is a nationwide network of people dedicated to working together to advance research, support patients and create hope for those affected by pancreatic cancer.

Deborah Elizabeth Zolla is actively involved in the annual Purple Stride Walk to raise awareness and funding for pancreatic cancer. Ms. Zolla also published an article in the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network National Newsletter entitled “My Little Energizer Bunny: My Mom, Barbie Zolla, Has Survived Pancreatic Cancer for Over a Year and a Half and is Still Going Strong.”

Hebrew Union College

Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion is the center of innovation for Jewish life and learning, preparing rabbis, cantors, leaders in Jewish education, Jewish nonprofit professionals, pastoral counselors and scholars to apply their knowledge, commitment, vision, and expertise to strengthen and transform the Jewish community and larger world. HUC-JIR is the largest Jewish seminary in North America and the academic, spiritual, and professional leadership development center of Reform Judaism.

Marshall S. Zolla has served on the Los Angeles Board of Advisors since 2005.

Kalsman Institute on Judaism and Health

In the connections between Judaism and health, the Kalsman Institute of HUC-JIR is a catalyst for interaction, discussions and partnerships among spiritual leaders, healthcare providers, and Jewish community professionals and members. The Kalsman Institute provides pastoral education to future Reform leaders. Conferences and workshops convened and co-sponsored by Kalsman generate ideas and projects on Jewish spirituality and healing, bioethics, illness and wellness, and the health of the healthcare system. Through an international network of nearly 2,000 Kalsman Partners, the institute makes positive contributions to Jewish thought and practice through training, collaboration and dialogue.

Marshall S. Zolla serves as a member of the Kalsman Steering Committee and has participated in and spoken at Kalsman-sponsored conferences.

Anti-Defamation League

The Anti-Defamation League was founded “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” ADL is now the nation’s premier civil rights/human relations agency, ADL fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects civil rights for all.

Deborah Elizabeth Zolla served as a member of the Anti-Defamation League’s Glass Leadership Institute. The Glass Leadership Institute is designed for a select group of young professionals as an up-close and personal opportunity to expand their knowledge about the nation’s premier human relations organization.

Wilshire Boulevard Temple

Wilshire Boulevard Temple is a highly respected Reform congregation, founded in 1862, and the first synagogue in Los Angeles. Today, Wilshire Boulevard Temple is a center for Jewish spirituality and celebration, a place for lifelong learning and friendship. The temple offers services and worship, adult programs, lifecycle events, volunteer and social action opportunities, and cultural events both to its members and the wider community. The temple also has two beautiful summer camps in Malibu, Camp Hess Kramer and Gindling Hilltop Camp, which provide children and teens with an exceptional Jewish youth camping experience (temporarily closed and relocated due to fire damage).

Marshall S. Zolla served as a member of the Board of Trustees for 14 years. He held positions as Vice-President, Treasurer, Head of the Camp Committee, Chair of Adult Education, and initial Chair of the Fields Center Support Programs.