About Hagiggah.org

Supporting Hagiggah.org provides funds that develop the skill of the next generation of Jewish performers and leaders through experiences in music, theater and visual arts.

Each investment directly expands access, ensuring that Jewish youth - regardless of financial means - can participate in meaningful arts experiences.

President:
Paul E. Roberts

Paul combines more than 30 years of professional experience in finance, logistics and operations with even more experience in music and songleading. He has been a camper, counselor, administrator and especially a force in music, songleading and musical production at the Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps, primarily in Malibu, California.

As a Board Member of the Camps, he expanded the fund-raising capability by 40% by attracting new attendees to events, and helped to ensure continuity in multiple programs areas, naturally including music but also in Leadership and even hiking!

Paul created an extensive online library to preserve the musical legacy of legendary Camps musical director Chuck Feldman – Chuck’s Legacy on Soundcloud – and continues to add to the documented history of the Camps, including his Camp Memories Podcast series on YouTube.

He was also a longtime Board member and Treasurer of the Beverly Hills Education Foundation. Paul is a graduate of Boston University in Business Administration.

Board Member and Development Chair:
Gary Cohn

One of the most deeply-experienced and successful non-profit executives and fund-raisers in California, Gary heads the philanthropic advisory firm Painted Rock, and is the Philanthropy Executive Officer for Front Porch communities. He has served in Senior Vice President roles in development for the Jewish Agency for Israel and Alzheimer’s Los Angeles, and as a Regional Director for the American Technion Society-Israel Institute of Technology.

As Executive Director of Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco, he helped to grow the congregation by 86% over 12 years and expanded annual fund-raising by 65% over a five-year period.

Gary has served as a Board member of the San Francisco Food Bank, Safe Parking LA, Hillel 818 and others; he is a Past President of the National Association for Temple Administration. A graduate in Finance from California State University, Long Beach – where he was the 2009 Alumnus of the Year – he is now back full-time in Southern California.

Board Member and Secretary:
Rich Perelman

Board Member and Treasurer:
Arthur Israel

Board Member and Resident Artist:
Diana Tash