July 25, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Jewish Women’s Theatre (JWT) Puts its Money Where its Stories Are

How can we put on a show that celebrates real life heroes without being moved to help the non-profit organizations who are doing this brave work every day?

“We can’t,” says Ronda Spinak, artistic director of Santa Monica’s Jewish Women’s Theatre. The Accidental Activist runs from January 20-30 and features heartfelt stories about people who are working in astounding ways to change the status quo or to help others.

“We didn’t want to just tell their stories,” Spinak explains. “We wanted to help those who personify the spirit of the heroes in our stories.  As a result, we are donating half of the donations we receive at each show to non-profits whose missions match those of our characters.”

Each of the performances of The Accidental Activist, will be matched with a non-profit organization whose activities relate to one of the stories in the performance.  The non-profits include:

  • Jewish Family Services – enriches the community and improves the lives of countless men, women and children of all religions, ethnicities and ages through a wide ranging extended family of social services.   www.jfsla.org
  • East L.A Women’s Center – strives to ensure that all women, girls and families live in places of safety, health, and personal well-being, free from violence and abuse, with equal access to necessary health services and social support, with an emphasis on Latino communities. www.elawc.org
  •     Worthy of Love – homeless children on skid row experience something most kids take for granted: a birthday party with dancing, presents, cake and hugs from Skiddy Kat. www.worthyoflovela@gmail.com
  •    The Miracle Project  – uses a groundbreaking methodology to provide individuals with autism and other disabilities the tools to build communication, social skills, community, and greater self-esteem through inclusive theater and expressive arts programs.  www.themiracleproject.org
  •  The Museum of Tolerance – has received acclaim from national and international leaders, and has been described by newspapers and magazines world-wide as extraordinary and a “must see” destination in Southern California. Today the public has come to view the MOT not only as a symbol of society’s quest to live peacefully together, but also as an important resource on how to achieve that goal. www.museumoftolerance.com
  • MAZON – a Jewish response to hunger is a one-of-a-kind engagement program that travels the nation raising awareness about who in America struggles with hunger and why, and empowers everyone to take action. www.hello@mazon.org
  • National Council of Jewish Women – is a grassroots organization of volunteers who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, it strives for social justice and individual rights by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families. www.info@ncjwla.org
  • 9/11 Memorial and Museum NYC –  honors the lives of those who were lost on 9/11.  It occupies eight of the 16 acres at the World Trade Center, and is a tribute to the past and a place of hope for the future. info@911memorial.org
  • JQ International – builds and strengthens a community that nurtures a healthy fusion of LGBTQ and Jewish identities.  JQ International also encourages and strengthens leadership, activism, and social action among its members in order to continue creating not only a vibrant and inclusive LGBTQ Jewish community but also the best possible community at large. http://www.jqinternational.org/

“These wonderful non-profits are doing work that relates to the stories in our new show, The Accidental Activist,” says JWT’s Literary Manager and Producer Suzanna Kaplan.  “Our audiences will

witness professional actors narrate stories submitted by many writers, recounting poignant and uplifting tales of challenge, courage and how they ultimately succeeded in making a difference.”

The Accidental Activist plays in six locations across the Southland from January 20-30.  It is the first in a series of three new salon-style performances that take place in private homes and theatres until May 15.  Three-play subscriptions are $118 and individual shows are on sale now at $40.  Tickets and performance schedules are at: www.jewishwomenstheatre.org

Emma Berdie Donson learns that kindness can happen anywhere, even at a rest stop on the way to High Holiday services.
Related Posts

In Your Time of Need, Woodlawn Cemetery is Available

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

By Susan Payne  For over 125 years, Woodlawn Cemetery, Mausoleum & Mortuary, wholly owned and operated by the city of...

Going for the throat

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Coach Bill Schuman expects protégé Golda Zahra to hold back nothing  By Linda Chase World famous competitors hire special coaches...

Suspect Arrested in Fatal Brentwood Whole Foods Stabbing, Area to See Increased Police Presence

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The suspect, initially described as a man in his early 20s wearing dark clothing, fled the scene on foot.  A...

(Video) Seniors Age with Dignity at Wise & Healthy Aging’s Adult Day Center

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

For More Information, Go To Wiseandhealthyaging.org/ Seniors Age with Dignity at Wise & Healthy Aging’s Adult Day Center. For More...

California Reports 13% Drop in Vehicle Thefts in 2024, First Decline Since 2019

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Southern California accounted for 53.21% of thefts, with Los Angeles County alone representing 61.83% of the region’s total California reported...

LAPD Pacific Boosters’ West LA Summer Carnival Takes Place This Weekend

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

The carnival will feature amusement rides for all ages, arcade-style games, and traditional fair food The LAPD Pacific Area Boosters...

Venice Ale House is Now the European-Inspired ‘Venice Beach Club’

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

The menu features items like steak frites, crudo, and house-made pizzas, under the direction of Executive Chef James Samuel A...

Metro D Line to Resume Service, Paving Way for Future Westwood and West LA Connection

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

The work is part of Metro’s “Twenty-Eight by ’28” initiative—a slate of infrastructure projects aimed at improving transportation ahead of...

More than 80 West LA Restaurants will Showcase Cuisine and Flavor in DineLA 2025

July 23, 2025

July 23, 2025

The Westside features restaurants offering prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus ranging from $15 to $65 From the sandy shores of...

CineMalibu Returns with Free Outdoor Movie Nights at Malibu Bluffs Park

July 23, 2025

July 23, 2025

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and low-back chairs, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis CineMalibu, a beloved...

County Sheriff Oversight Elects New Leadership Team

July 23, 2025

July 23, 2025

Established in 2016, the commission aims to enhance LASD transparency and public trust through policy analysis and community engagement The...

Amid Federal Funding Cuts, County Seeks Input on Public Health Priorities

July 23, 2025

July 23, 2025

DPH is urging residents to share how public health efforts affect their communities and identify key areas for future focus...

CicLAvia to Open 6.75 Miles of Car-Free Streets from Culver City to Venice

July 22, 2025

July 22, 2025

The event features four hubs: Arts District on Washington Blvd., Downtown Culver City near the Culver Hotel, Mar Vista on...

(Video) Where great minds grow at The Willows Community School

July 22, 2025

July 22, 2025

The Willows, a DK-8 co-educational school, enrolls 474 students from 57+ zip codes annually. As a balanced, progressive educational leader, experiential learning,...

Mayor Bass, Veterans Demand Troop Withdrawal as Marines Exit City

July 22, 2025

July 22, 2025

Bass, alongside California State Senator and Marine Corps veteran Caroline Menjivar, condemned the deployment as “unnecessary, unprecedented, and unconstitutional.” Los...