Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles Bestows Dr. Bruce Powell With Inaugural Marvin I. Schotland Leadership Award

Tribute Honors Longtime Foundation President and CEO Who Retired in 2022; Award Includes $50,000 Donor Advised Fund

The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles (The Foundation) today announced Dr. Bruce Powell as the recipient of its inaugural Marvin I. Schotland Leadership Award.

The honor, which comes with a $50,000 Donor Advised Fund (DAF), was established in tribute to Schotland, who served as The Foundation’s president and chief executive officer from 1989 until his retirement in 2022 and grew the organization from $90 million to $1.3 billion in assets. It recognizes a Jewish nonprofit professional in the Los Angeles Jewish community who exemplifies the vision and leadership personified by Schotland.

In selecting Powell, presently dean of the School for Jewish Education and Leadership at American Jewish University, The Foundation honors his half-century of contributions as a founder and head of three Los Angeles-area Jewish schools – Yeshiva University of Los Angeles (YULA) High School, Milken Community High School and de Toledo High School – as well as earlier background in public instruction. As a consultant, Powell has advised more than 80 schools throughout North America and been involved in the formation of 26 Jewish high schools nationwide. He is co-author (with Dr. Ron Wolfson) of “Raising A+ Human Beings: Crafting a Jewish School Culture of Academic Excellence and AP Kindness.”

Rabbi Aaron Lerner, Foundation president and chief executive officer, stated: “Dr. Bruce Powell’s contributions to the Los Angeles Jewish community over the course of his career are deeply appreciated. His work in education has transformed the lives of thousands of students and their families, and he’s managed to do it all with warmth and humility. He is richly deserving of this accolade and we are proud to recognize Bruce as the inaugural Marvin I. Schotland Leadership Award recipient.”

A committee drawn from The Foundation’s Board of Trustees steered the selection process. It was chaired by Andrea Sonnenberg and other members included Mindy Freedman, Larry Rauch, and Marc Rohatiner.

Dr. Bruce Powell holding the award with (L to R) Board President Evan Schlessinger, Foundation Trustee Daniella Naim Kahen, Marvin I. Schotland, and Foundation President & CEO Rabbi Aaron Lerner.