We are delighted you are registering for the 2026 Lion of Judah Luncheon, where our guest speaker is Mayim Bialik!

Who: Sylvia Weisz Women’s Philanthropy
What: Lion of Judah Luncheon
When: Thursday, February 26th • 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: Beverly Hills venue shared with registrants prior to the event
Meal Options: You will have a choice of either a fish or a vegetarian dish

I am unable to attend, but would like to make a donation in honor of Debi Graboff and/or Ellen Brown.

 

For questions, please contact Caitlyn Johnson at (323) 761-8088 or DevTemp@JewishLA.org.

We look forward to seeing you on February 26th!

A donation to JFEDLA’s 2026 Annual Campaign is required to attend.
$5,000 minimum gift for Lion of Judah

 

Mayim Bialik delivers engaging and deeply personal talks on mental health, drawing from her own experiences, as well as her expertise as a neuroscientist. With honesty and empathy, she shares insights into the complexities of mental well-being — debunking common myths and stigmas, promoting self-care strategies, and advocating for accessible mental health resources for all. Her unique perspective as both an advocate and a scientist brings a profound depth to her message, inspiring audiences to prioritize mental wellness and support others in their mental health journeys.

A product of Jewish Federation scholarships, Bialik stands firmly rooted in her Jewish heritage and values, straddling the worlds of both traditional religious observance and progressive social justice initiatives. An in-demand speaker among federations, synagogues, and college Jewish organizations, she shares how this commitment to her faith has shaped her life and career in an increasingly secular world. Her experiences as a Jewish community leader date back to her college days and exemplify her long-standing connection to the Jewish people and dedication to making a positive impact as a proud and vocal Jewish woman.

Bialik is best known for her lead role as Blossom Russo in the 1990s NBC sitcom Blossom, as well as Amy Farrah Fowler on the CBS comedy, The Big Bang Theory, for which she garnered two Critics’ Choice Award wins, a SAG nomination, and four Emmy nominations. Bialik and her company, Sad Clown Productions, produced the FOX show Call Me Kat, which she starred in for three seasons.

Bialik holds a BS and PhD in Neuroscience from UCLA and hosted Celebrity Jeopardy! for two critically-acclaimed seasons, earning a Critics’ Choice Real TV Award Nomination as well as an Emmy Nomination. Along with her partner, writer and tech futurist Jonathan Cohen, Bialik hosts a successful podcast, Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown, which seeks to provide a deeper understanding of mental, physical and spiritual health, the intersection of mind, body, and spirit. The podcast regularly ranks in Apple's Top 20 Health and Wellness podcasts, with 50 million downloads and counting across audio and video. Bialik's 2022 screenwriting and directorial debut, As They Made Us, stars Dustin Hoffman, Candice Bergen, Simon Helberg, and Dianna Agron. She is a #1 New York Times Best-Selling author of the young adult books Girling Up and Boying Up, and has also published a Vegan cookbook and a book about her experiences with Attachment Parenting. She lives in Los Angeles with her two sons and 3 cats.

 

Ellen Brown has been involved with JFEDLA since the early 1990s. After chairing many Valley Alliance Women's Department committees, she served as Campaign Chair and Chair from 2010-2013. Last year, Ellen was on the Tour de Summer Camps and the Sylvia Weisz Women’s Philanthropy Board Retreat committees, is currently a co-chair of Valley Big Night, and is a JFEDLA Community Leadership Institute Advisory Committee member. Nationally, she currently serves on the Jewish Federations of North America National Women's Philanthropy Board, as well as the National Ramah Commission Board. Ellen is a proud past recipient of the Juliet and Rita Reznikoff Awards.

Ellen is grateful to JFEDLA, its dedicated professionals, and lay leaders for their work on behalf of the Jewish people.

 

Debi Graboff* has been involved in Jewish Federation Los Angeles since graduating from UCLA in 1979 where she was active in the Business and Professions Division and Sylvia Weisz Women’s Philanthropy. She was an active member of the Federation’s Board of Directors for 10 years and has held many leadership positions including co-chairing Major Gifts and the Legal Network. She started and co-chaired the Community Leadership Institute for seven years and was an active mentor to several mentees. Debi co-chaired SWWP in 2016-2017. She was honored in 2019 with the Doris Factor Leadership Award and in 2023 with the Jackie Award at Brentwood Country Club. In 2004 she and her husband, Marc, were honored by Jewish Family Service LA.

Debi currently serves as chair of Jewish California (formerly JPAC), an organization that lobbies the state legislature on issues important to the Jewish community such as fighting antisemitism, domestic violence, hunger, and security.

Having practiced law for over 30 years, Debi specializes in Family Law litigation and mediation.

Debi and Marc, who is also active in the Jewish community and is a past chair of American Jewish Committee, live in Pacific Palisades and have two married daughters, one son, and four grandchildren.

* Forever Lion

Forever Lions are those generous women who endow their Lion of Judah gift in perpetuity, most typically in their estate planning documents.

 

 

JFEDLA acts on shared values to create safe, joyful, and connected Jewish life in Los Angeles, Israel, and around the world. We care for our vulnerable by fighting poverty and combating antisemitism. We inspire by fostering Jewish journeys, building bridges, and developing leaders. Our dedicated partners, passionate staff, and your generosity make our work possible.

By signing up to attend this event, you agree to irrevocably grant to Jewish Federation Los Angeles — and to their employees, agents, and assigns — the right to take your photograph, record you, or use your image, silhouette, and/or other reproductions of your physical likeness, as well as your voice and/or words, for all purposes related to marketing and promotion of JFEDLA, across all media. These rights are granted in perpetuity. You hereby certify and represent that you are of at least 18 years of age and have read the foregoing and fully understand the meaning and effect thereof.