Yiddishkayt is a non-profit that strives to ensure the survival of the endangered thousand-year legacy of Yiddish language, culture, and history. With groundbreaking education programs, events and citywide festivals, Yiddishkayt promotes and celebrates Yiddish as a profound pathway to Jewish identity. Since its inception in 1995, Yiddishkayt has embraced the multicultural richness of Los Angeles to strengthen consciousness - and foster the growth - of all things Yiddish, connecting generations old and new with their priceless cultural heritage.
The Jewish Artists Initiative is an artist-run organization committed to fostering visual art by Jewish artists and promoting dialogue about Jewish identity and related issues among members of the arts community. JAI was conceived in 2004 by a group of artists acting as social entrepreneurs with a generous grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles in partnership with the University of Southern California Casden Institute for the Study of the Jewish Role in American Life and the USC Gayle Garner Roski School of Fine Arts.
Generously hosted by the Westside Jewish Community Center (WJCC). For more than 50 years WJCC has been a center of activity for every facet of the Jewish community and beyond, hosting some of the most progressive and unique expressions of Jewish Los Angeles.
Co-sponsored by Progressive Jewish Alliance (PJA), Gesher City LA and Cornerstone Theater Company.
JAI is funded by a generous grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles and operates under the auspices of the USC Roski School of Fine Arts. Yiddishkayt thanks its loyal contributors, including Susan North for her support of Doikayt.