Hamakomla

Hamakomla A Vibrant Jewish Congregation in the west San Fernando Valley. Check back often for updates on events that are happening at Hamakom

As a Jewish house of worship, it is most significant that our address, 7353, adds up to 18, representing CHAI, or life. Nestled in the hills of Castle Peak, our facility sits on 16 beautiful acres along the scenic Valley Circle corridor in West Hills, CA.

Hamakom staff will be working remotely today and will respond to emails and phone calls as usual.
05/19/2026

Hamakom staff will be working remotely today and will respond to emails and phone calls as usual.

Unlock the Power of AIThe premier introductory AI course—for anyone.Full Details and Registration at https://www.hamakom...
04/22/2026

Unlock the Power of AI
The premier introductory AI course—for anyone.
Full Details and Registration at https://www.hamakomla.org/ai
Full-day workshop includes a light breakfast and lunch.

An introductory AI workshop designed for all of us—those with zero experience, intermediate exposure, or a deep understanding of artificial intelligence models and applications— this course is led by former executives from leading corporations such as FedEx, Visa, Forbes, Yahoo!, Zillow and CharmIQ, as well as subject-matter expert guest speakers, such as our instructor, Chelene Martin.

Workshop Overview
This one-day immersive workshop is designed to help participants move from curiosity or overwhelm to confidence, excitement, and real-world application. This is not a traditional lecture. It is an interactive, practical experience that introduces AI as a thinking partner and collaborator to simplify tasks, enhance creativity, and improve productivity in both personal and professional settings.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
Understand what AI is and why it matters right now
Confidently use tools such as ChatGPT and Claude
Apply AI to real-life scenarios at home and at work
Recognize limitations and use AI responsibly
Begin building a personal AI workflow and playbook

Core Framework: The AI Confidence Framework
Think with AI, not at it
Context over prompts
Start simple, then layer
Use AI to enhance, not replace
Build your personal AI playbook

Curriculum
The curriculum is engaging and practical, ensuring participants leave feeling highly knowledgeable and empowered to apply AI in their work or everyday lives. The approximately 5-hour course is divided into clear modules:

AI Fundamentals (Basics of AI)
Generative AI in Action
Machine Learning & Analytics
AI Ethics & Responsible AI
Automation & Productivity Tools
Applications & Case Studies

Instructor
Chelene Martin is an AI strategist, educator, and former Senior Director of Global Partnerships at Yahoo, where she spent nearly 20 years leading high-impact initiatives and driving revenue growth across complex digital ecosystems.

Chelene focuses on helping individuals and organizations understand and adopt AI in a way that is practical, empowering, and human-centered. She is passionate about shifting the conversation from feeling fear and overwhelm to curiosity and confidence, showing people how AI can act as a collaborative thinking partner in both work and everyday life.

Chelene works with CEOs, teams, and individuals through consulting, workshops, and trainings, helping them apply AI in ways that drive clarity, productivity, and growth. She also supports those exploring how to build businesses or side hustles using AI, unlocking new ways to create, grow, and generate income in today’s evolving landscape.

A topic especially close to her heart is helping families - both parents and students - navigate AI responsibly and effectively, building confidence, critical thinking, and real-world skills. At the core of her approach is a simple belief: when used well, AI helps us become better, stronger, and faster versions of ourselves.

This means that God gave us all tremendous power to be co-creators for a better world. The starting point, perhaps, is r...
09/10/2024

This means that God gave us all tremendous power to be co-creators for a better world. The starting point, perhaps, is remembering that we have a lot more power than we sometimes credit ourselves with.

Malka Rappaport
Jewish Spiritual Life Intern
[email protected]

Elul is the perfect time to take an accounting of our souls, a "heshbon hanefesh", reflecting on ways we have missed and...
09/09/2024

Elul is the perfect time to take an accounting of our souls, a "heshbon hanefesh", reflecting on ways we have missed and hit the mark this past year. Journaling or investing in a book such as "Preparing Your Heart for the High Holidays" is a great way to begin this process.

Humility is a fundamental part of this journey, and gives us a more accurate picture of where we are currently at. How can you take the time to bring more humility into your own reflection practices? How can humility inspire us to take a more honest look at ourselves and our year?

Rabbinic Intern Sarah Klein

https://www.hamakomla.org/event/splash-bash-community-picnic.htmlJoin us Sunday, September 15, for our community Open Ho...
09/08/2024

https://www.hamakomla.org/event/splash-bash-community-picnic.html

Join us Sunday, September 15, for our community Open House Splash Bash Fun Day. There will be tours of our newly renovated campus, so if you're a member who hasn't been here yet—or just shul shopping—come discover why we're THE PLACE for Jewish Life in the West Valley!

We're grilling hamburgers and hot dogs too, and to keep you cool, there will be water play for kids of all ages, from 3 to 93.

You don't want to miss this free, fun, and informative event!

☀️

Yet it is the case that most people spend twice as much time talking as they spend speaking. Listening is one sign of h...
09/08/2024

Yet it is the case that most people spend twice as much time talking as they spend speaking. Listening is one sign of humility as it reflects the idea that we can learn from one another. In the words of the great rabbi Ben Zoma “Who is wise? The one who learns from every person” (Ethics of the Fathers).

Rabbi Stewart Vogel

Humility and Pride: Two sides of the same coin Where do arrogance and pride come from? According to my teacher Rabbi Ira...
09/08/2024

Humility and Pride: Two sides of the same coin

Where do arrogance and pride come from?

According to my teacher Rabbi Ira Stone, pride stems from those so needy they have to protect their battered selves which is often expressed either by excessive self-importance or self-deprecation. When we feel the need to protect ourselves from the intrusions of others, we respond in ways that often erase that other person. Instead we impose our presence in the other’s place, through acts of self-aggrandizement or undue deference.

We might learn from Moshe Rabbenu of whom the Torah states, “This man Moshe was exceedingly humble, more so than any person on the face of the earth.” (Bamidbar 12:3)

This description comes following the moment when Moshe’s sister and brother publicly shamed him. Instead of reacting in anger or with pride, Moshe first remains silent and then immediately appeals to God’s mercy asking God to heal Miriam, who suffered illness from her negative comments about Moses. Imagine Moshe’s strength; to remain calm in the face of insult is indeed a great example of humility. What is humility but an honest assessment of our own importance, where pride is an overweening sense of our own importance.

How do you respond to insult? How do you keep your pride in check when you feel you have been affronted? Can you mitigate such moments of self-importance and make room in your life for the other person?

Rabbi Richard Camras

We have a tendency to blame others when things go wrong rather than giving them credit when things go right. Letting ot...
09/06/2024

We have a tendency to blame others when things go wrong rather than giving them credit when things go right. Letting other people feel appreciated and recognizing their contributions is an act of humility that reminds us we are not omniscient or omnipotent, while also elevating the self-esteem of the people around us.

Rabbi Stewart Vogel

What kind of problems could we address if it didn’t matter who got credit for solving them?What could Congress accomplis...
09/05/2024

What kind of problems could we address if it didn’t matter who got credit for solving them?

What could Congress accomplish if it didn’t matter which party got to claim ownership of the solution?

What could we achieve if we didn’t care if anyone recognized us for what we did?

Sometimes the solution is right there in front of us. We just need to get out of the way and not worry about whether anyone notices it was us. The glory comes in our knowing we did what was best for everyone...

…and that maybe God was watching us.

Rabbi Adam Schaffer

How easy it is for us to point fingers at others! To see in others their flaws and shortcomings. Perhaps, instead of bei...
09/04/2024

How easy it is for us to point fingers at others! To see in others their flaws and shortcomings. Perhaps, instead of being so judgmental, we can pause and with curiosity ask, what might be behind their words or actions? What is their full story? Might they be teaching me something I need to learn.

Today, try to be less judgmental of others and more understanding of where they are coming from or what they are saying.

Rabbi Richard Camras

Join us for the High Holy Days: https://www.hamakomla.org/hhd

Address

7353 Valley Circle Boulevard
West Hills, CA
91304

Telephone

+18188547650

Website

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