This is Valley Ruach
Valley Ruach Young Professionals is a community in the San Fernando Valley of Jews in their 20s and 30s who enjoy meaningful and vibrant Jewish communal experiences. Our diverse Jewish backgrounds blend to create innovative and spirited social, religious, and tikkun olam programs, accessible to and welcoming of Jews of all levels of religious observance.
Diverse is an important concept in our mission. At any given event, you'll find people as young as 21 and as "also young" as 39. We are reform, conservative, orthodox, un-affiliated and everything in between. You'll see singles, couples and even young parents. Come as you are -- you'll fit in!
Our History
Once upon a time there were four Jewish young adults who moved to the San Fernando Valley to pursue their dreams of home ownership. Two of them had the idea to build a Jewish community in the Valley for their peers inspired by the spiritual and moving "Carlebach" services of Ikar, PicoEgal and Shira Chadasha in Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, the other pair had an idea to establish a community for Jewish young professionals in the San Fernando Valley centered around the energetic and popular "Taubman" services of Friday Night Live, college Hillels and summers at camp.
With the support of Adat Ari El's clergy, the two couples, along with a dozen of their friends, began holding monthly services, following by Shabbat dinner. As the group of interested friends grew, so too did the monthly service. Over the next few months, Shabbat dinner was moved from a private home to the synagogue, in order to accomodate a larger crowd. The service itself evolved as well, to meet the needs and interests of the Valley Jewish community.
Fast forward to present day, where an average of 50-60 young professionals join together each month for a service that incorporates joyous Carlebach davening, while building spiritual momentum with old and new guitar-accompanied melodies.
With the help of countless Valley Ruach supporters, we now hold a monthly Jewish learning session (Torah on Tap), as well as tikkun olam, holiday and social events.
