Ryan Torok

Los Angeles

Freelance Journalist at Freelance

Los Angeles journalist. Contributor @JewishJournal, @bhcourier, @jewishsf, @jdforward, | Story tips & feedback to [email protected]

Articles

LAJFF Screening, Federation Seder, Birthright Summit, Photo Exhibit

6 days ago | jewishjournal.com | Ryan Torok

On March 27, the Los Angeles premiere of the new documentary “For the Living” was held at the Museum of Tolerance, in partnership with the L.A. Jewish Film Festival, Museum of Tolerance, Holocaust Museum LA and the Goldrich Family Foundation.
Five Questions with Pro-Israel Influencer Lizzy Savetsky

1 week ago | jewishjournal.com | Ryan Torok

Elizabeth Savetsky is on a mission to spread a pro-Jewish, pro-Israel message. Her platform of choice for doing so is Instagram, where Savetsky has more than 400,000 followers. A typical post shows her leading “Bring Them Home” chants at pro-Israel demonstrations; calling out the rise in antisemitism; showing allyship with Jewish college students; and confronting Hamas supporters.
Pre-Passover Seder Serves Up Black-Jewish Culinary Fusion

1 week ago | jewishjournal.com | Ryan Torok

Attempting to fuse Jewish and Black culinary traditions, a menu at a recent community seder included za’atar-seasoned salmon, parsnip-and-potato kugel, brussels sprouts and carrots dressed in tahini and, for dessert, a challah bread pudding. It was the inaugural “Soulful Seder,” organized by Challah and Soul co-founders Shonda Walkowitz and Judi Leib.
Mercaz Slate Info Session, J Los Angeles Names CEO, Israel Film Festival Event

2 weeks ago | jewishjournal.com | Ryan Torok

On April 2, Temple Beth Am held an informational and voting outreach event ahead of the World Zionist Congress elections. The event focused on Mercaz USA, the slate for the Conservative and Masorti movement.
Pre-Passover ‘Songs of Freedom’ Celebrates Interfaith Ties

2 weeks ago | jewishjournal.com | Ryan Torok

“Sing, girl!” a member of the St. Brigid Catholic Church, an African American South L.A. based church, called out encouragingly from her seat in the synagogue pews, as a young vocalist, part of Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills’ (TEBH) choir, nailed the high notes in her solo.
Passover After the Fires: Two Rabbis Reflect

2 weeks ago | jewishjournal.com | Ryan Torok

Ahead of Passover, Rabbi Jill Gold Wright is thinking about ways the holiday feels different this year. That’s because on Jan. 7, her synagogue, Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center (PJTC), where Gold Wright serves as director of education, was destroyed in the Eaton Fire. It was a day that uprooted the lives of thousands of Angelenos, including those belonging to the PJTC synagogue.
Recustom Site Offers DIY Haggadahs

2 weeks ago | jewishjournal.com | Ryan Torok

Just in time for Passover, Recustom—formerly Haggadot.com—has released a “Wicked”-inspired Haggadah as well as two additional Haggadahs, just three examples of the ways the website appeals to those looking for more personalized seder experiences. Along with the “Wicked”-inspired Haggadah, there’s “A Haggadah for Peace” as well as “A 10-Minute Seder.” The trio of creative Haggadahs are available along with hundreds of other Haggadahs, as a free download at Recustom.com.
Black-Jewish Alliance to be Celebrated at 'Soulful Seder'

3 weeks ago | jewishjournal.com | Ryan Torok

Before the start of Pesach,while people will be busy with the laborious process of cleaning chametz out of their homes, the Los Angeles bridge-building nonprofit Challah and Soul will be doing something a little different: It will be holding its inaugural “Soulful Seder,” a unique, pre-Passover experience for members of the Black and Jewish communities.
USHMM Tribute Dinner, Hamakom Names Full-Time Cantor, Spec Labs Concert

4 weeks ago | jewishjournal.com | Ryan Torok

Longtime Jewish communal professional Anita Friedman was honored by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) during the museum’s 2025 Western Region Tribute dinner, held at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, on March 19.
Jewish National Fund-USA Brotherhood Mission Brings Love, Support, and Joy to Israel

1 month ago | jpost.com | Ryan Torok

A minimum philanthropic fundraising requirement, a positive attitude, and a deep love for the Jewish people and Israel—that was the primary criteria for participating in the 2nd Annual Jewish National Fund-USA Brotherhood Mission to Israel. The 45 men from across the country, ages 35-77, who participated in the mission—held Feb. 26-March 4, 2025—brought that and more, ultimately raising more than $2 million to benefit the land and people of Israel.