Tell us about your nominee. Why should he or she be recognized as a Jewish Community Hero?

Rabbi Yonah is one of the reasons that thousands of Jews in over ten countries, most recently on college campuses Southern California, are proud to be Jewish, whether it be religiously, culturally, or politically. He founded Jewlicious Festival, the largest Jewish college student weekend gathering in the country. Jewlicious brings together over 1,000 students from the USA, Canada, and Israel. He has helped inspire students to start their own grass roots organizations to help the Jewish People, advocate for Israel, fight hunger, and the protect the environment to name a few. Previously, Rabbi Yonah worked for years helping revitalize the Jewish community in Poland on behalf of the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation as a campus rabbi in Long Beach and Orange County. Recently, Rabbi Yonah moved to LA to inspire young Jews as the new Executive Rabbi of JconnectLA.

What problem did your nominee identify in the community that needed to be solved? How has your nominee's efforts made a difference for others?

Rabbi Yonah has completely changed the way young Jews view traditional Judaism.  He sports a beard and an iPhone, and doesn't tweet on Shabbat. The Booksteins' welcoming, non-judgmental attitude has created an environment where Jews of all levels of observance and knowledge can coalesce and learn from each other. On any given week, the Booksteins welcome about 50 guests into their home for Shabbat dinner.

Seeking to unite Jews everywhere, Rabbi Yonah created a place where they could come together - Jewlicious Festival. Jewish of all shapes and sizes, from bikinis to black hats, no matter their background, level of observance or affiliation, gather annually for three days of music, innovation, inspiration, connections and creativity. From jocks to hipsters, Ashkenazi to Sephardic Persians, Jews from all walks of life can network and connect with others who have also traversed continents and oceans for the Jewlicious Festival pilgrimage.  Because he uniquely bridges the gap between modern and traditional paradigms, Rabbi Yonah has connected himself with Jews from every background, all of which who see him as "their" rabbi. Because he does not have his own synagogue, he is available to anyone and everyone, anytime, anywhere. In doing, so he has energized, inspired and empowered an entire generation of young Jewish leaders.

Rabbi Yonah is also an editorial contributor to the wildly popular blog Jewlicious.com and his own website, blogshul.com, where his thoughts, specifically on Israeli and American politics and life, are shared with a worldwide audience. He connects to young Jews globally, answering rabbinic and practical questions for anyone who contacts him.

Rabbi Yonah embodies Jewish values in every interaction he makes, whether by visiting the sick, taking the time to explain the week's parsha to a student, or welcoming an out of town guest into his home for Shabbat. He spreads goodwill both locally and globally. His connected, technologically savvy way of living causes people to challenge their views of a traditional rabbi, and in a way that constantly breaks barriers and shatters misconceptions wherever he goes. His non-coercive, friendly and non-judgmental approach is predicated on providing positive Jewish experiences, both online and in the real world. In doing so he challenges people to contemplate the role they want their Jewish identities to play in their lives. Whatever their choices are, thanks to Rabbi Yonah's tireless work, their final decision will be based upon a more complete perception of what Judaism in its totality is all about - loving kindness, generosity of spirit, communal unity and caring for the planet and humanity.