Jeff Polak

President/Founder

Jeff Polak isn’t just leading change—he’s building a movement. A visionary leader, cultural catalyst, and bold philanthropist, Jeff is redefining what it means to live—and lead—with purpose in the Jewish world. As President and Executive Director of the David & Janet Polak Foundation, he’s not just supporting Jewish identity—he’s supercharging it. At the heart of everything he does is a deceptively simple mantra: “10% more Jewish.” Not about perfection. Not about pressure. Just a little more meaning, a little more connection, and a lot more impact. From L.A. to Jerusalem, Jeff’s influence is everywhere—from digital archives and ballets to immersive teen programs and next-gen philanthropy. He’s fueled by one question: How can we tell our story better—and make it stick for the future? One of his most transformative projects began on a trip to Israel, where Jeff discovered that David Ben-Gurion’s private archives—a cornerstone of Israel’s founding story—were largely inaccessible. He saw the potential, funded a full-scale digitization effort, and is now helping bring those historic materials to life for scholars, students, and curious minds around the globe. Back in Los Angeles, Jeff turned to the stage, teaming up with the Los Angeles Ballet to debut Memoryhouse—a haunting, poetic tribute to the six million Jews lost in the Holocaust. The performance wove together music, memory, and movement into something unforgettable. For Jeff, it wasn’t just a production—it was a mission to ensure remembrance lives on through art. Then came AKLA, a mitzvah project unlike anything else. Ditching the traditional lecture model, AKLA is a five-week, high-energy experience designed for bar and bat mitzvah–age teens to explore Israel through innovation — cybersecurity, biotech, and the arts. Launched through the Polak Foundation, AKLA has sparked major buzz and is now scaling nationwide, with Chicago set for 2026. Under Jeff’s leadership, the David & Janet Polak Foundation has backed more than 50 powerhouse institutions—from the Simon Wiesenthal Center and FIDF to Cedars-Sinai and Technion. But Jeff isn’t content with traditional philanthropy. He’s leading the Foundation into Program-Related Investments (PRIs)—using charitable capital to back socially aligned, for-profit ventures that advance the Jewish future in bold new ways. When he’s not innovating in the boardroom, Jeff’s out on the road—literally. A dedicated marathoner, he’s run 36 races, a perfect metaphor for his life: disciplined, focused, and always charging toward the next challenge. He holds a BA in Economics and International Relations from USC, is a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®), and serves as Managing Director of Polak Investors, where he oversees a robust portfolio spanning equities, fixed income, and alternatives.  His leadership extends across the Jewish and philanthropic landscape, with board roles at the American Technion Society, Ben-Gurion University, FIDF, and the Jewish Journal, and investment committee seats at Cedars-Sinai, the Buckley School, and the Los Angeles Jewish Home.

Executive Director

Tonia Barber is a director, writer, and creative producer with a rich background in dance, fashion, and filmmaking. Her work is defined by a deep sensitivity to body language and a strong visual aesthetic that reflects her roots in movement and design.

Barber came to the role of Executive Director of AKLA through her passion for creating dynamic, interactive programming that engages teens in exploring their Jewish roots. A champion of the richness in Jewish cultural and intellectual contributions, Barber sought to design a program that celebrates those achievements in a hands-on, accessible way. Her focus on innovation, creativity, and experiential learning has shaped AKLA into a vibrant fellowship where young participants connect with their heritage through technology, medicine, security, and cinema—discovering pride, purpose, and possibility along the way. 

Barber’s short film RAW premiered at both Sundance and AFI, launching a career that blends narrative, documentary, and experimental forms. She spent seven years as the creative director for Dance Camera West, where she collaborated with celebrated filmmakers such as Wim Wenders (Pina), Bess Kargman (First Position), and Tomer Heymann (Mr. Gaga) as well as presenting top dance companies Pilobolus and Bodytraffic. Barber was also instrumental in bridging essential support to Melissa Barak’s production of Memoryhouse, the first Jewish ballet, commemorating the 6 million Jewish lives lost during the Holocaust, premiered by the Los Angeles Ballet at The Broad Stage.

Currently, Barber is in post-production on Dance Out Loud, a feature documentary exploring the ancestral memory of dance across cultures. She also co-created the award-winning feature Show Me What You Got with director Svetlana Cvetko, and together they’ve developed branded content featuring stars Selena Gomez and Elizabeth Banks. Her portfolio includes campaigns for fashion houses, think tanks, and immersive VR experiences.

Barber’s creative journey began on stage as a teenage dancer, earning a full scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet and performing on Broadway in 42nd Street and as an original cast member in Tommy Tune’s The Will Rogers Follies, Winner of 9 Tony Awards.  

Programming Coordinator

Rebecca Webb was born in Philadelphia, PA, and in 1985, her family relocated to Los Angeles to support her father’s career in the film industry. They settled in West LA, where she attended Warner Avenue Elementary, Emerson Junior High, and University High School.

In 1996, while attending Santa Monica College, Rebecca faced a life-changing moment when her father was diagnosed with melanoma and passed away just nine months later. During that difficult period, she worked in retail to help support her family. On her days off, she began assisting friends in the auto industry, which sparked a passion for car sales.

By 1999, Rebecca was selling cars full-time. Over the next 26 years, she gained valuable experience working with major automotive brands such as Saab, Cadillac, GMC, and Mercedes-Benz, selling both new and pre-owned vehicles. Her natural ability to connect with people has always been at the heart of her professional success.

Rebecca finds immense joy in spending time with her nieces and nephews. Although she does not have children of her own, those relationships are deeply fulfilling. Whether crafting, watching movies, going for walks, or simply being together, these moments are among her most cherished.

Today, Rebecca is proud to be part of the AKLA family. With a lifelong connection to the Jewish communities in both Los Angeles and Philadelphia, joining AKLA feels like a meaningful continuation of her family’s legacy. It also offers her the chance to support and engage with the next generation of Jewish leaders.