Community News

Free Health Event

On Friday, Aug. 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., New Hope Baptist Church, 1160 E. New York St., will host a Community Health Event in partnership with several trusted organizations.

Services include:

• Mobile Mammograms for women age 40+
• Dental exams, cleanings, x-rays, fillings & extractions
• Vision screenings & eyeglasses
• HIV testing, flu & COVID shots, blood pressure, glucose screenings
• Free groceries & community resources.

No insurance is required, but attendees must bring a valid photo I.D. This is a first-come, first-served event and space is limited. Registration is available at bit.ly/FreeServicesLBC.

Learning Programs

Registration is live on the LBCC Foundation website for the Lifetime Learning Center Senior Studies Program at LBCC Trades Technology & Community Learning Campus (formally Pacific Coast Campus).

Classes offered in person are: “Broadway Musicals” with Lucy Daggett, “New Classic Film Series” with Erroll Parker, “End of Live Decisions” with Constance Malaambo, RN, “Understanding Artificial Intelligence,” “Windows 11 Navigation” and “iPhone Mastery” with Phil Newell. Classes offered on Zoom are “Strength Training” with Jessi McMaster.

Classes start Sept. 8 and cost between $20 and $79.

Days Tours on Luxury Buses are to the Nethercutt Museum, Oct. 30, Huntington Library & Gardens, Nov. 13 and the Reagan Library, Dec. 11.

The adult classes and tours are open to everyone. Parking is only $5 per semester and is free with a handicap placard. Register online at https://lbccfoundation.org/lifetime-learning-center/classes/or contact Theresa Brunella at (562) 938-3047.

Free, Fun, Nature Walk

On Sept. 6, 8–10 a.m., walk with trained naturalists and learn about the sea eagles, hawks and other raptors of the Los Cerritos Wetlands. Hear about the native people who once lived on this unique land.

The walk is for ages seven and up. Meet at the corner of PCH and 1st Street in Seal Beach. Email elizabeth@lcwlandtrust.org with questions or to RSVP.

Race for Rare

The National MPS Society is hosting the 2025 Long Beach Race for Rare on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Granada Launch Ramp, 5000 E Ocean Blvd. This annual event brings together families, friends and advocates to raise awareness and funds for mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) and mucolipidosis (ML) – rare genetic diseases with no known cures.

5K Run – Starts at 9 a.m. Registration is $38.10, increasing after Sept. 12. Participants can register individually or as part of a team.

1 Mile Walk – Starts at 9:15 a.m.. Registration is $38.10, increasing after Sept. 12.

Onsite registration and packet pickup open at 7:30 a.m. Following the race, participants and community members are invited to enjoy a family-friendly, beachside picnic celebration featuring a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses and establishments. Cost is $11.60.

The National MPS Society is dedicated to curing, supporting and advocating for individuals and families affected by MPS and ML. Proceeds from the event will fund critical research initiatives and provide direct support to families affected by these disorders.

Sponsorship opportunities are available at various levels, offering benefits such as logo placement on event materials and complimentary race entries. Businesses and individuals interested in sponsorship can contact Bethany Greene at bethany@mpssociety.org or (919) 806-0101.

For more information and to register, visit: tinyurl.com/LongBeach25.

New Leadership

Jewish Long Beach has announced two new appointments to its professional leadership team: Mark Rothman has been named interim chief executive officer, and Elisha Breton has joined the organization as its Jewish community relations director, a newly created position.

Mark Rothman brings over 20 years of leadership and management experience, including 18 years in the nonprofit sector. He has a strong record of guiding organizations through leadership transitions and has served as interim executive director for multiple institutions, including Street Poets, Inc., Walk with Sally, Temple Beth Hillel and Good Shepherd Shelter.

His previous roles include executive director of the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust and CEO of Good Shepherd Shelter. Rothman has also served on the City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission and the boards of the Alcott Center for Mental Health and the Center for Nonprofit Management. He holds a master of fine arts from the University of Southern California and a bachelor of arts in English from Columbia College. He comes to Jewish Long Beach through Third Sector Company, which specializes in interim executive leadership for nonprofit organizations.

Elisha Breton most recently served as director of academic affairs & media relations for the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest, where he built partnerships between Israeli universities and U.S. academic institutions and managed all media inquiries. He led crisis communications efforts in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack in Israel.

Breton holds a master’s degree in Jewish Studies from Indiana University, Bloomington, and earned her bachelor’s degree with a double major in Jewish studies and history from California State University, Long Beach. His professional background also includes research and teaching experience focused on antisemitism, Jewish life and media analysis, as well as work with the Journal of Posthumanism and the Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism.

These leadership additions reflect Jewish Long Beach’s commitment to operational excellence and advancing its mission to strengthen Jewish identity, advocate for community needs, and promote education, inclusion and engagement throughout the greater Long Beach area and West Orange County.

Since 1948, Jewish Long Beach has worked to preserve Jewish life and strengthen Jewish advocacy, while also helping people in need and at risk, wherever they are. Collaborating with individuals, and across the community, we connect those who want to help to those who need it most.

For more information, visit www.jewishlongbeach.org.