Sephardic Tradition and Recreation

What Sephardic Tradition and Recreation does

Sephardic Tradition and Recreation (S.T.A.R.) is a nonprofit youth organization founded in 1997 through an investment by the Hyman Jebb Levy Foundation, operating from 337 S. Robertson Blvd #204 in Beverly Hills, California. The organization serves the Sephardic Jewish community in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley by delivering a structured portfolio of age-segmented programs for youth ages 7-18, organized around four monthly event tracks: Tikvah (ages 7-9), Aviv (ages 10-12), Mitzvah (ages 13-14), and Chaverim (ages 15-18). Programs are anchored by six stated principles (Community, Values, Tradition, Preservation, Israel, and Pride) and delivered through in-person events at theme parks, sports venues, retreats, and synagogue spaces, supplemented by an annual three-week Magen Israel leadership trip for ages 15-17, the Bnei Mitzvah Haggadah Gift Program, alumni programming, and high school Jewish clubs at Beverly High and Pali High.

The organization's technology footprint is minimal: a standard WordPress website with an integrated e-commerce module for event tickets, bookings, and donations, alongside email/SMS opt-ins and a SmugMug-hosted public photo gallery documenting events from 2012 through 2026. There is no proprietary software, mobile application, or data platform. The operating model is community-led and event-driven, with Rabbi Yitzchak Sakhai (Executive Director) maintaining direct in-person presence at school clubs and synagogue ceremonies, supported by President Larry Clumeck and a team of 1-10 employees.

Revenue is generated through two streams: (1) charitable donations and grants, supported by a prominent "Donate Now" call-to-action, donor dashboard, and foundation backing from the Hyman Jebb Levy Foundation, and (2) program fees, principally from the Magen Israel Trip at $6,500 full cost reduced to approximately $3,500 after anticipated grants. Most core youth events appear free or low-cost to participants, with scholarships available for families in need. Distribution occurs through synagogue partnerships, on-campus high school clubs, Instagram/Facebook/YouTube channels, and the website ticketing portal.

Name

Sephardic Tradition and Recreation

Legal name

Sephardic Tradition and Recreation

Website

https://lastar.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sephardic Tradition and Recreation (S.T.A.R.) is a Beverly Hills-based nonprofit that provides age-segmented recreational and educational programming for Sephardic Jewish youth ages 7-18 in the Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley area, funded primarily by donations and program fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Encino

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: The organization relies heavily on charitable donations and grant support. The website features a prominent Donate Now CTA and a donor dashboard. Donations fund scholarships for the Magen Israel trip and general programming.
2. Program Fees: Fees charged for signature programs including the Magen Israel Trip. The full cost of the Magen Israel Trip is $6,500 per participant, with anticipated grants reducing participant cost to approximately $3,500. Additional trip programs such as Costa Rica trips also generate fee revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

S.T.A.R. delivers age-segmented recreational and educational programming for Sephardic Jewish youth ages 7–18 in Los Angeles, organized into four monthly event tracks (Tikvah 7–9, Aviv 10–12, Mitzvah 13–15, Chaverim 15–18). It supplements these with the three-week Magen Israel leadership trip for ages 15–17, two on-campus high school Jewish clubs, a Bnei Mitzvah Haggadah gift program, alumni events for ages 18+, and broader community events.

Product overview

Sephardic Tradition and Recreation (S.T.A.R.) is a Jewish youth organization that provides a structured portfolio of age-differentiated programs for Sephardic Jewish youth ages 7-18 in the Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley area. The core offering consists of four monthly event programs segmented by age group: Tikvah (7-9), Aviv (10-12), Mitzvah (13-14), and Chaverim (15-18). These are supplemented by the Magen Israel Trip (a three-week teen leadership program to Israel), two High School Jewish Clubs (Beverly High and Pali High), the Bnei Mitzvah Haggadah Gift Program, and Alumni and Community Events. All programs are designed to teach six core principles: Community, Values, Tradition, Preservation, Israel, and Pride.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tikvah Youth Program Monthly recreational and educational events for Sephardic Jewish children ages 7-9, building community connection and Jewish identity through age-appropriate programming.
• Aviv Youth Program Monthly events for Sephardic Jewish youth ages 10-12, providing social and educational experiences aligned with Sephardic Jewish traditions.
• Mitzvah Youth Program Monthly events for Sephardic Jewish youth ages 13-14, focusing on mitzvah (good deeds) and community service within the Sephardic tradition.
• Chaverim Youth Program Monthly events and Shabbatonim for Sephardic Jewish teens ages 15-18, offering leadership opportunities and deeper engagement with Jewish heritage and community values.
• Magen Israel Trip Three-week leadership program for Sephardic Jewish teens ages 15-17 that includes travel to Israel, known as The Adele & Raymond Carr Magen Leadership Program. Participants must meet eligibility requirements including attending two Shabbatons and five prior S.T.A.R. events.
• Beverly High STAR Jewish Club On-campus Jewish club at Beverly High meeting weekly on Mondays at lunch, providing high school students a space to discuss Israel, Judaism, and build community connections with Rabbi Sakhai present.
• Pali High STAR Jewish Club On-campus Jewish club at Pali High meeting weekly on Tuesdays at lunch in Room 220, offering weekly discussions about Israel, Judaism, and special programming with Rabbi Sakhai.
• STAR Bnei Mitzvah Haggadah Gift Program Program for Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations providing a personalized certificate of recognition and a free Sephardic Haggadah illustrated by Raphael Abecassis, a home visit from Rabbi Sakhai and Mr. Jebb Levy, and an annual Torah and Megillah signing ceremony.
• Community Events Events open to the broader Sephardic Jewish community, extending S.T.A.R.'s programming beyond member youth to include family and community-wide activities.
• Alumni Events Events and programming for S.T.A.R. members ages 18 and older, maintaining connections with former participants and providing ongoing engagement with the Sephardic community.

Quantifiable outcome

• Premiere Sephardic youth organization in Los Angeles, serving since 1997

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sephardic Temple Tifereth IsraelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe primary affiliated synagogue. The organization's founder was a longtime member and former president. The temple houses the STAR community and hosts many events. S.T.A.R. collaborates with the temple on the Bnei Mitzvah Haggadah Gift Program and Torah & Megillah signing ceremonies.
• Sephardic Educational Center in JerusalemminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Hyman Jebb Levy Foundation supports this institution by providing over 100 scholarships for their summer program. S.T.A.R. is connected to this partner through the foundation's support.
• LASHA (Los Angeles Sephardic Hebrew Academy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution in Los Angeles supported by the Hyman Jebb Levy Foundation, which also funds S.T.A.R.
• Maimonides AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLos Angeles Jewish educational institution supported by the Hyman Jebb Levy Foundation. S.T.A.R. is connected through shared community and foundation support.
• Los Angeles Sephardic Home for the AgedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit senior care facility for the Sephardic community. STAR President Larry Clumeck is currently president of this organization, creating a direct leadership connection between S.T.A.R. and the Home.
• Stand With UsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIsrael-focused organization that partnered with S.T.A.R. for a Saturday Night Havdalah event at the STAR HQ in 2026, as documented in the 2026 gallery.
• Sephardic Synagogues NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple Sephardic synagogues participate in the Bnei Mitzvah Haggadah Gift Program, hosting ceremonies and recruiting families. Synagogues serve as the primary channel for reaching youth and their families for the program.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• NCSY (National Conference of Synagogue Youth): Orthodox Jewish youth movement running regional chapters, Shabbatonim, and Israel trips. Directly comparable to S.T.A.R. in mission (Jewish youth engagement), age targeting, and event-driven programming model, though denominationally broader.
• USY (United Synagogue Youth): Conservative Jewish youth movement affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Comparable in offering age-tiered programming, regional chapters, and leadership trips to Israel for Jewish teens.
• Young Judaea: Zionist youth movement offering summer camps and year-round Israel engagement. Comparable in its teen leadership pipeline and Israel trips structured similarly to the Magen Israel Trip.
• BBYO (B'nai B'rith Youth Organization): Pluralistic Jewish teen movement with chapters worldwide. Comparable in its weekend retreats, leadership development, and teen social programming serving Jewish youth ages 12–18.
• Bnei Akiva: Religious Zionist youth movement running summer camps, Shabbatonim, and Israel programming. Comparable in its age-cohort structure, Israel-identity mission, and leadership trip model.

Regional players

• Magen David Sephardic Congregation: Brooklyn-based Sephardic synagogue congregation with youth programming. Comparable in its Sephardic community focus and family engagement offerings, though operating in a different metro (New York rather than Los Angeles).

Broad incumbents

• JCC Association (Jewish Community Centers): North American federation of Jewish Community Centers offering youth programming, recreational events, and Israel trips. Comparable in mission and programming breadth, but operates at far greater scale and broader Jewish community scope.
• Camp Ramah: Conservative Jewish summer camp network with strong teen leadership programming and Israel trips. Comparable in its Jewish-identity mission and youth development focus, though operating as a seasonal camp network rather than year-round community programs.
• Hillel: Largest Jewish campus organization serving college students. Comparable in its Jewish-identity mission and programming structure, though targeting an older demographic (college rather than K–12) and operating at much larger scale.

Emerging players

• Sephardic Educational Center (SEC): Jerusalem-based Sephardic educational institution offering summer programs and Israel tours. Comparable to S.T.A.R. in its Sephardic-specific focus and Israel-engagement programming, though geographically Israel-based rather than LA-based.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/lastarhq
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sephardic-tradition-and-recreation-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Sephardic Tradition and Recreation