March 29, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

University Synagogue Hosts Vegan Luncheon

Paola from the Veggie Grill, Rose Aguero, Jessica Downey, and Jaden Elkins at the University Synagogue Vegan Luncheon
Paola from the Veggie Grill, Rose Aguero, Jessica Downey, and Jaden Elkins at the University Synagogue Vegan Luncheon

Anne Hansen

On May 18th University Synagogue hosted a 100% vegan luncheon for their teachers and staff to celebrate the end of religious school season.  Jaden Elkins, a 13-year old vegan activist, is a member of the synagogue and inspired their choice of food with his recent 100% vegan Bar Mitzvah at Veggie Grill On March 15,  promoting animal kindness.

The synagogue school director, Jessica Downey, and her assistant Rose Aguero, created the menu with Jaden’s helpful advice. The 25 plus teachers and staff enjoyed a luncheon catered by Westwood’s Veggie Grill consisting of All Hail Kale salad, Caesar salad, Chill Out Wings (Jaden’s favorite), Santa Fe Crispy Chiken’ sandwiches and a variety of veggie wraps. Anthony Blanset, Westwood Veggie Grill manager, provided complimentary vegan cookies.  Jessica Smith, marketing manager at Veggie Grill, also included free entrée cards for all the luncheon guests to use at their next Veggie Grill visit. Most of the teachers were trying vegan food for the first time and were surprised at the delicious variety of flavors in plant based foods.

Jaden is thrilled at the success of his Bar Mitzvah project and so proud that his  congregation supports his cause. With a huge smile he exclaimed, “I’m so happy that my synagogue supports me and is helping to spread the word that healthy plant based food can taste so good. I hope that large corporations like Disney, Sony, Apple and Microsoft can follow University Synagogue’s example and also host vegan luncheons for their employees. They could help save animals, the environment, and improve the health of their staff – all at once!”

You can follow Jaden Elkins on Twitter @therealvegankid.

Related Posts

Cantonese Dim Sum Master Chef Tony Opens Hollywood Dim Sum at TCL Chinese Theatre

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Experience Exquisite Dim Sum Creations in the Heart of Hollywood 97 years after its founding, the TCL Chinese Theatre will...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Attorney for Sean “Diddy” Combs Denounces Investigation as “Witch Hunt”

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Legal Representative Criticizes Probe Amid Federal Sex Trafficking Inquiry An attorney representing Sean “Diddy” Combs criticized the investigation into the...

Culver City Police Department to Conduct High Visibility Traffic Enforcement Operation

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Operation Targets Hazardous Traffic Violations on the West End The Culver City Police Department announced plans to conduct a high...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....

Human Rights Campaign’s Los Angeles Dinner Celebrates LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Unity

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Notable Figures Gathered to Champion LGBTQ+ Rights and Combat Discrimination By Aneesha Pappy  The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s...

California Bars and Nightclubs Must Offer Drug Testing Devices Starting July 1

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

New Law Mandates License Holders to Provide Drug Testing Kits to Patrons Beginning July 1, establishments with Type 48 licenses...

Opinion: West Los Angeles Needs to Care about Veteran Homelessness

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

By Kelly Kravchuk  Veteran homelessness is a public health concern that impacts my West Los Angeles community. As a USC...

Culver City City Council Recap: Bruce Lee Alley, Historical Discrimination Study, Women’s History Month

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Council Deliberates on Racial Equity, Infrastructure Upgrades, and Fire Department Strategic Plan The Culver City Council convened its latest session...

Federal Agents Raid Property Linked to Music Mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs In Holmby Hills

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Authorities Conduct Searches in Los Angeles as Part of Ongoing Sex Trafficking Probe Federal agents from the Department of Homeland...

Biden Signs Government Funding Bill with Ban on Pride Flags at Embassies

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

White House Vows Repeal Amid Controversy Over LGBTQ Provision President Biden signed a huge government funding package on Saturday, which...

Staples Store in Westchester Could Become a Senior Housing Complex

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

Redevelopment Plans Unveiled for Property Near LAX The current site of a Staples retail store near Los Angeles International Airport...

City of Los Angeles Pays Nearly Half a Billion in Liability Claims Over Four Years

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

LA Controller’s Report Reveals Significant Payouts from General Fund LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia has continued to audit the City...