Rebecca Mandel writes in The Jewish Press:
“You don’t have to be a rabbi, president of a large corporation, or work for some big company or the federation to make a difference in this world. You just have to have a passion to make a change,” says Cheston Mizel.
A true hidden gem, Cheston Mizel, the founder of Jconnect LA, impacts upon and affects each individual with whom he comes in contact. He accomplishes this through his love and caring for his fellow Jews.
Mizel began this non-profit organization from his home. Utilizing his own funds, he began hosting events and parties in his home. Mizel began with a dozen people for Shabbat, and holiday social gatherings for more than 150 people. He had a spiritual quest to share the beauty he found in Judaism while soul-searching during his adulthood. Mizel continued his journey until he found meaning. Even now he continues on his journey, sharing with others and changing the way people think.
His goal was to bring together Jews of different backgrounds by offering authentic Jewish experiences. He wanted the events to be spiritual, cool and hip – offering something different for everybody, without judgment.
Indeed Mizel has succeeded. The thousands of attendees of Jconnect LA come from all backgrounds. Although all Jconnect LA events are kosher and crafted with sensitivity to halachic principles, the overall spirit is one where even the most secular Jew is made to feel comfortable and accepted.
