About
founder
Jacki Karsh is a six-time Emmy-nominated multimedia journalist. For over a decade, she has reported for LA36’s LA County Channel, where her work shines a light on the social and humanitarian issues that shape the lives of Angelenos.
From in-depth coverage of the county-wide homelessness crisis to groundbreaking stories on scientific innovation, transformative infrastructure, and impactful community projects, Jacki’s reporting drives awareness and inspires change. Jacki regularly contributes to digital platforms like The Westside Current and Business Rockstars, and she previously reported for Westside TV, CityTV Santa Monica, and Young Hollywood.
Jacki is also a sought-after moderator and host, known for orchestrating high-level discussions across a spectrum of topics before large, diverse audiences. Her engagements place her at the nexus of global discourse, leading conversations with some of the world’s most pivotal figures: from military strategists like Stanley McChrystal and David Petraeus, to visionary public leaders such as Governor J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Eric Garcetti, and innovators and philanthropists like Tim Draper, Mike Milken, and Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong. She also shares the stage with cultural luminaries such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kyle Kuzma, Danny Trejo, and Mindy Kaling. Jacki has also emceed prestigious gatherings such as the Milken Global Conference, the U.S. Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism, and events for the City of Beverly Hills, Teach Coalition, Duke University, and The Montgomery Summit.
Jacki sits on the boards of Jewish Federation Los Angeles, One Mitzvah a Day, If You Heard What I Heard, and the Columbia Alumni Association of Southern California. She received her B.A. from Columbia University with honors and a masters in broadcast journalism from Columbia Journalism School.
Jacki Karsh, an L.A.-based journalist, and her husband Jeff, founded the Jacki and Jeff Karsh Journalism Fellowship in 2024 with a grant to JFEDLA to improve the quality of journalism on Jewish issues.
director
Rob Eshman, Senior Columnist at the Forward, served as National Editor of the Forward and Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of the Jewish Journal. Rob has taught and lectured at USC Annenberg School of Communications and Journalism and University of Missouri School of Journalism.
project incubator
JFEDLA provides the logistical and administrative support for the fellowship. Donate directly to the Karsh Journalism Fellowship.
Statement of journalistic integrity
The fellowship is a nonpartisan, ideologically pluralistic space for journalists to immerse themselves in the study of core Jewish issues and to develop their own ideas. The fellowship, its mentors and its administrators are committed to abiding by the highest journalistic ethics, guided by accuracy, independence, fairness and transparency.
Statement of journalistic integrity
The fellowship is a nonpartisan, ideologically pluralistic space for journalists to immerse themselves in the study of core Jewish issues and to develop their own ideas. The fellowship, its mentors and its administrators are committed to abiding by the highest journalistic ethics, guided by accuracy, independence, fairness and transparency.