Fair to Promote Jewish Organizations

The United Jewish Appeal/Federation of Ventura County is organizing an informational fair next month to promote Jewish community organizations.

The fair will showcase organizations offering activities for seniors, adults and youths. Organizers are encouraging families to attend.

More than two dozen organizations will present opportunities for travel, education and entertainment, both in the area and beyond.

“This is an educational fair,” said Susan Abrams, administrator of the federation. “It is our first year. Hopefully, we will be doing this on a yearly basis.”

The United Jewish Appeal/Federation will be one of the organizations presenting information on its programs.

“We are very involved in the community,” Abrams said. “Locally, we sponsor eighth-graders from public schools to attend the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. We’ve had excellent response from teachers and kids.”

The federation sent 1,200 children to the museum during the 1994-95 school year and hopes to send as many as 3,000 during the current school year, said Eitan Ginsburg, executive director of the federation.

“All the programs we have are of primary interest to Jewish people but are open to everyone,” Ginsburg said. “We do this because we want to spread information about what is available in the community. It helps people get involved in programs, and it makes for a richer community.”

The Israel & Jewish Program Fair will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at Temple Ben Torah, 7620 Foothill Road in Ventura. Admission is free. For more information, call 647-7800.