ABOUT YICC

On a rainy day in January 1976, five individuals gathered to plan a new Modern Orthodox Minyan for the Beverly Hills-Beverlywood sections of Los Angeles. This Minyan would be dedicated to the observance of Jewish Law while participating in and contributing to secular society, and committed to the philosophy of Religious Zionism.

By Purim 1976, the Shul was a reality. Initially called Ohavei Israel, the founding members envisioned a synagogue where all ages would participate in the services and activities.

For the first two years, the congregation met every Shabbat in the rented community room of the Ramada Beverly Hills Hotel on Beverly Drive. It was not long before the Shul acquired the unofficial name, "The Ramada Minyan".

In October 1978, Congregation Ohavei Israel had outgrown its temporary facilities at the hotel. A storefront across from the hotel was rented, and now the "Ramada Minyan" was on the move. A daily Minyan was formed, and a part-time Rabbi, Kenneth Cohen, was engaged as the rabbi. The Minyan continued to grow, and even a Shabbat morning "Hashkama Minyan" was formed.

In 1982, the synagogue joined the National Council of Young Israel and officially changed its name to Young Israel of Century City. With its new identity, the Shul was ready for its next big development. After months of searching, a building was procured on Pico Boulevard, and by Rosh Hashanah 1982, the Young Israel of Century City had settled into its present location.

In January 1986, with about fifty families associated with the Shul, YICC elected its first full-time Rabbi, Elazar Muskin. Rabbi Muskin hailed from Cleveland, Ohio and prior to moving to Los Angeles, served as rabbi for five years at the Mt. Sinai Jewish Center in New York. Upon Rabbi Muskin's arrival, the synagogue entered a new phase of growth. Within a short time the membership doubled, and today we are the second largest orthodox synagogue in Los Angeles.

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YOUNG ISRAEL OF CENTURY CITY
MISSION STATEMENT

We are proud to present the following Mission Statement which was formulated and adopted by our Shul's Board of Directors at its meeting on Monday, May 10, 2010.

"Young Israel of Century City ("YICC") strives for excellence. The Shul's primary purposes are: to offer an uplifting spiritual prayer experience; to impart a wide-ranging education of Torah Judaism and Religious Zionism; and to inspire its members to live a life of learning, leadership, and involvement in the Jewish community and society at large. YICC values the inclusion of people of all ages, embracing its members and guests in a warm and welcoming environment."

Among our accomplishments are: the National Award for Synagogue Programming from the Union of Orthodox Congregations, in recognition of our outstanding annual Program Calendar; the O-U's Tikun Olam Award for our Chesed Programs; the O-U's Chovivei Tzion Award for leading solidarity missions to Israel. Our Shul has been a leading congregation in innovative programs and community services. We created the famous semi-annual Myra Vorhand, Z”L Yom Limud L'Nashim, Annual Community Symposiums, Summer Ethics Lecture Series, Scholar-In-Residence Weekends, and our weekly Tomchei Shabbos Delivery Program.

LEADERSHIP

• Rabbi: Rabbi Elazar R. Muskin
• President: Allan Sternberg
• Chairman Of The Board: Geri Wiener
• Vice Presidents:
  • Elisa Schoenfeld, Youth Program
  • Dubby Teichman, Fund Raising
  • Michael Bernstein, Maintenance
  • Louis Michaelson, Membership & Programs
  • Adam Lewis, Chessed
• Treasurer:  Peter Feitelberg
• Recording Secretary: Mary Streit
• Main Sanctuary Gabbaim: Joshua Pollack & Mike Rafi - email: gabbai@yicc.org
• Beit Midrash Minyan Gabbaim: Evan Anziska & Noah Davis
• Haskama Minyan Gabbai: Dr. Larry Platt & Michael Makiri
• Administrator: Rebekah Jalali
• Administrative Assistant:  Tanya Gorelik
• Youth Director:  Yitzy Katz
• Teen Director:  Rabbi Arye Sufrin