Milken Community School

“For by You I can light my lamp; the Lord my God illuminates my darkness.” — Psalm 18:29

We are proud to celebrate the completion of this extraordinary mural project, created to celebrate the presence of God’s light within each individual and to remind us of our shared responsibility to be a source of light for one another and for the broader community.

Designed to inspire connection, reflection, and belonging, the mural stands as a lasting symbol of Jewish heritage, Milken’s core values, and the power of collaborative creativity. Over the course of the past year, the project unfolded through multiple stages including design, linework, painting, color fill, and lettering.

The mural was designed and originally painted in watercolor by Delphine Anaya, Visual Arts Teacher, whose vision and leadership guided the project from conception to completion.

A message from Ms. Anaya:
"I am deeply grateful to Ravit Shemesh for her artistry and partnership, and to Chris Scarlata, Rabbi Shawn Fields-Meyer, and Beau Lindsay for their support and encouragement throughout this journey. I especially want to recognize two extraordinary students, Noy Luzon and Nava Herstein, whose dedication and joy carried this project forward in remarkable ways. Week after week, during lunch and Lishma, they worked tirelessly on the color-fill process with patience, pride, and deep respect for the vision of the mural. Watching their initiative, creativity, and care unfold was truly inspiring. With sincere gratitude, I dedicate this mural to the students and staff who have supported, nurtured, and inspired me throughout my years at Milken."

Thank you to Ms. Anaya and to every student and supporter who helped bring this vision to life and create an even more beautiful and inspiring environment at our Ruby Family Campus.

Please join us in congratulating Tomer Zur '26 on winning First Prize in the Jewish Scholastic Journalism Awards!

Tomer was recognized for his powerful opinion piece, “Faith, Service and Politics: Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox Conscription Debate,” which explores one of the most complex and important issues facing Israeli society today.

We are incredibly proud of Tomer’s thoughtful journalism, leadership, and dedication to meaningful storytelling.

Read the award-winning piece at www.milkenroar.com

Congratulations to Joelle Weiss ’26 on being named a Brawerman Fellow through the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles!

The Brawerman Fellowship recognizes exceptional Jewish students and provides a transformative leadership experience through the Geri & Richard Brawerman Leadership Institute. Fellows participate in immersive leadership training, biannual retreats, a trip to Israel, and meaningful community service opportunities designed to help them grow as leaders grounded in Jewish values.

This year, the program is expanding to welcome eight outstanding high school seniors into the fellowship.

Dr. Sarah Shulkind, Head of School, and Daniel Spiegel, Associate Head of School for External Relations, will be featured speakers at the first-ever Southern California AeXIS Regional Meetup next week.

Advancement Exchange for Independent Schools | Advancement Exchange for Independent Schools AeXIS is hosting our first-ever Southern California Regional Meetup on May 12 at Turning Point School in Culver City, and we'd love to see you there. Hear from featured speakers Sarah Shulkind, CAIS President & Head of School at Milken Community School, and Daniel Spiegel, Associate Head of School f...

Today, Milken had the honor of welcoming Noa Argamani to campus, where she spoke with a select group of students in grades 10–12. Noa shared her story with remarkable strength, reflecting on her experience of being taken hostage from the NOVA music festival during the October 7th attacks and her journey of resilience in the face of such an extraordinary challenge.

In a deeply moving conversation, Noa shared what she experienced during her time in captivity and reflected on what helped her endure. She spoke about how her background in wellness grounded her, and how the friendships she formed became a vital source of strength and survival, while also carrying the weight of knowing not everyone was able to return home. She reflected on the power of small moments, including the hug she received from an IDF soldier during her rescue, which she described as deeply meaningful after months of isolation. She also spoke about her advocacy work, sharing how powerful it was to learn that people around the world knew her name and story during her captivity, and how that experience inspired her to advocate for others upon her return.

Our students listened with compassion, asking thoughtful questions. Hearing Noa’s voice firsthand was both a privilege and an honor, an experience that will stay with our community. Thank you, Noa, for taking the time to share your story with us. We wish you continued strength and love as you move forward on your journey.

We were honored to welcome Israeli-American artist Tomer Peretz to campus today, where he spoke with students about his deeply moving work alongside survivors of October 7.

Born in Jerusalem and based in Los Angeles, Tomer is an award-winning artist whose work blends realism and conceptual expression to explore emotion, memory, and the layers of personal and collective trauma. Drawing from his experience as a combat veteran and his lifelong use of art as a tool for healing, his practice transforms pain into connection.

Following his volunteer work with ZAKA in the aftermath of the October 2023 attacks, Tomer founded The 8 Project, an initiative that has grown into a powerful platform for healing and remembrance. His recent exhibition, ART WILL S8T YOU FREE, created in collaboration with over 850 trauma survivors, stands as a testament to resilience and resistance against hate.

Students had the unique opportunity to interview Tomer, engaging in thoughtful dialogue about art the role of creativity in processing trauma. It was a privilege to host him and learn from his extraordinary work and story.