ABOUT US
OUR BIG KITCHEN LOS ANGELES IS A COMMUNITY RUN,
NON-DENOMINATIONAL KITCHEN THAT PREPARES MEALS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THOSE IN NEED THROUGHOUT LOS ANGELES
OUR BIG KITCHEN LA
A KITCHEN WITH A MISSION
We Believe...
...Everyone is entitled to a nutritious, tasty, and high-quality meal made with compassion.
...Food has the power to bring people together within and across communities, nourish those in need, and hold a purpose for those who seek to make a positive impact.
... Individuals have the desire to address food insecurity and are deserving of valuable volunteer opportunities.
...Kind deeds not only enrich the individual who performs them but also have a multiplying effect on improving the world.
WHAT WE DO
In the last year OBKLA held 235 cooking sessions each producing 300 meals, engaging more than 13,000 volunteers and feeding
70,000 people in need.
OBKLA unites volunteers to cook and package meals for those facing hardship. These meals are then provided to social service organizations for distribution.
Operating from a kosher industrial kitchen, OBKLA prioritizes the dignity of all participants by producing meals of high quality and fostering a joyful environment for volunteers.
HOW WE DO IT
At OBKLA, we are passionate about providing the best possible experience for both our volunteers and those in need.
We believe in empowering volunteers to make a difference and inspiring them to keep doing good beyond our kitchen.
Good food is a basic right, and we are dedicated to preparing restaurant-quality meals using only Kosher ingredients, all under a seasoned chef's guidance.
Our goal is to make our volunteers feel valued and proud of their impact. Our kitchen is inviting, and we aim to create a joyful atmosphere for everyone who enters.
WE SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY
Every meal cooked at OBK is distributed by our Charity Partners across Los Angeles
Pico Union Project
Mercy Housing
Aaron's Pantry - Northridge
580 Cafe
Global Kindness
Safe Parking LA
Jewish Russian Community Centre
McCalister High School
Aleph
Chai Lifeline
Stand By Me
Student MOJO
Wisdom Circle Senior Support
Hope Gardens - Sylmar
Hope Gardens - Westwood
ETTA
Shabbat Kits
Ohel Sara Kitchen
Kol Israel Soup Kitchen
Chabad Los Feliz
Homelight Family Living
Union Rescue Mission
The People Concern
Tomchei Shabbos
Jewish Family Services (JFS)
Chabad @ CSUN
Bikur Cholim of South Bay
Safe Place for Youth (SPY)
Worthy Of Love
Valley Village
Kollel on Pico
Housing MV
Sharsheret
OUR STORY
STARTS WITH A FAMILY IN NEED
Our Big Kitchen is a beacon of compassion and generosity, originating from a poignant moment in Sydney, Australia, in February 2005. The organization was founded by Rabbi Dr. Dovid Slavin and Laya Slavin, inspired by their community coming together to help a friend who had become extremely ill. They saw a need and rose to the challenge, creating a place where volunteers could come together to cook meals for families facing food insecurity.
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In March 2020, as the world was grappling with the Covid pandemic, Yossi and Chaya Segelman felt a deep sense of responsibility to bring the ethos of Our Big Kitchen to Los Angeles. They started small, packing snack boxes in their garage, but their determination and passion inspired others to join their cause. Slowly but surely, with the support of OBKLA's Advisory Council Founding Chair Avi Hager, they built Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles into a bustling hub of activity where thousands of volunteers have come together to cook and distribute meals to those in need.
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Today, Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles is much more than just a kitchen. It's a community of people who believe in making a difference and want to bring joy, comfort, and nourishment to those who need it most. It's a place where volunteers find a sense of purpose and fulfillment, knowing they are making a positive impact in the world. It's a testament to the power of the human spirit.
MARGARET FEDER OUR BIG KITCHEN
In June 2022, the Feder Family gifted Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles a stunning 4,600 sq ft space at 8657 W. Pico Blvd, which now serves as a symbol of hope and a tribute to the strength and resilience of Margaret Feder.
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Margaret's story is a powerful reminder of the human spirit's ability to endure even in the most trying circumstances. Growing up in Hungary, she lived a joyful life with her family until the tragedy of the Holocaust struck. Margaret, her mother, and her grandmother were sent to Auschwitz, where they were forcibly separated. Despite the unimaginable atrocities she faced, Margaret found the strength to survive by working in the camp's kitchen, putting in 14-hour days, and sharing what precious little food she had with her family and fellow prisoners.
The Margaret Feder Our Big Kitchen is more than just a place to prepare food for those in need. It's a sacred space, a memorial to Margaret, her mother Chaya, and all the victims of the Holocaust. As volunteers come together under our roof, they carry on Margaret's legacy of hope and compassion and bring light to a world that can sometimes seem so dark.
OUR PEOPLE
At OBKLA, we believe that food has the power to bring people together, breaking down barriers and uniting us as one community. That's why we're so grateful to have a diverse group of supporters – from generous sponsors to the hard-working staff and volunteers to dedicated community members and an independent Board of Directors – all working together to make OBKLA a reality.
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Comprised of experts from the business world, legal profession, and community organizations, our Board serves as a cornerstone of our organization, providing guidance and oversight to ensure that OBKLA continues to make a meaningful impact on those in need. With their expertise and commitment, we can ensure that OBKLA remains a thriving, effective, community-based organization for years to come.
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Steven Feder
Chairman
Yossi Segelman
Executive Director
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Chaya Segelman
Program Director
Allie Shamash
Development Manager
Ruchie Cohen
Social Media
Miriam Tyner
Marketing
Mushky Perlstein
Program Leader
Chani Lazaroff
Program Leader
Bassie Zajac
Program Leader
Tomer Shoshani
Chef
Elan Adivi
Chef
Joseph Johnson
Chef
Ezi Zauderer
Chef
Gabriela Shakeri
Volunteer & Program Coordinator