Installation Ceremony Set at Local Synagogue

A longtime Jewish community leader will be installed as president of the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles at an Encino synagogue on Sunday, the first time such a ceremony has been held in the San Fernando Valley.

Herbert Gelfand, a Pacific Palisades resident and chief executive officer of Los Angeles-based De Anza Corp., succeeds Irwin Field as president of the nonprofit organization.

A former real estate attorney and active volunteer, Gelfand will serve two years.

The installation ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. at Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, where Gelfand is a member.

Television personality Monty Hall will serve as master of ceremonies, and Gelfand, Field and Rabbi Harold Schulweis are expected to speak.

Jack Mayer, executive director of the Jewish Federation Valley Alliance, which serves the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, Antelope, Conejo and Simi valleys, said that locating Gelfand’s installation ceremony in the Valley is itself significant.

“It’s an indication of the importance of the Valley community to the entire city,” he said.

Also at Sunday’s event, which is open to the public, the Jewish Federation will honor several volunteers for years of exceptional service to the organization, including Leo Dozoretz of Studio City and Ed Brennglass of Encino.

An $18 dessert reception will conclude the evening.

Valley Beth Shalom is located at 15739 Ventura Blvd.

For more information, call (818) 587-3200.