About Us

Dale Surowitz began his tenure as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Los Angeles Jewish Home (now Los Angeles Jewish Health) in the autumn of 2020. However, his relationship with Los Angeles Jewish Health dates back decades. His association began during childhood when he visited relatives who were residents of the Jewish Home at its original location in Boyle Heights. His deep involvement and commitment to the organization has included serving in several volunteer leadership positions and on various Los Angeles Jewish Health boards.

Prior to his current role, Dale served as Chief Executive at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center. In 1997, Dale became the CEO of what was known as Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center. In 2008, he played an integral role in assuring the Tarzana campus was acquired by Providence Health and Services. This unique transaction of moving from an investor-owned, for-profit institution to a not-for-profit, faith-based hospital is one of the only hospitals in the country ever to accomplish this type of transition. In addition, in 2019, Dale completed a 2-year effort with Cedars-Sinai Health System becoming a 49% owner of the hospital. This enabled them to develop new programs and services previously unavailable in the San Fernando Valley while ensuring the sustainability of a world-class medical center to meet the community's growing needs for generations to come.

As Dale embarked on this latest role with Los Angeles Jewish Health he took the helm of the, comprehensive, non-denominational, nonprofit senior healthcare system with an ambitious vision of expanding services throughout the entire Los Angeles area. Currently reaching nearly 4,000 seniors annually, the goal is to continue expanding to serve 10,000 seniors annually in residential and community-based services.

Recognized internationally, Los Angeles Jewish Health is a leader in the rapidly evolving future of senior healthcare, developing innovative initiatives and programs for aging in place and individualized, person-centered senior healthcare/living.

Dale earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley and a Masters of Public Administration - Health Services Administration from the University of Southern California. Throughout his career, he has served on the boards of numerous business organizations, including the Chair of the United Chambers of Commerce board and many chambers of commerce in the San Fernando Valley. He has also served on various civic and healthcare-related boards, including the California State University-Northridge Foundation, Valley Industry and Commerce Association and the American Diabetes Association. He and his family are also members of Temple Valley Beth Shalom.

Dale has received numerous awards, including the 2016 Fernando Award for Volunteerism and Community Service; Business Person of the Year - Encino Chamber of Commerce; Heart of Gold Award, Child Development Institute; Jewish Home for the Aging - Circle of Life Award; MAPS Charities Community Service Award. In addition, he was the recipient of the San Fernando Valley Business Journal - Healthcare Excellence Award and is a past recipient of the 25 Most Influential Business Leaders Award.

Dale and his wife, Brenda, are longtime community residents of Tarzana. Dale has two married children and three grandchildren.

Judy Friedman-Rudzki is a director and senior treasury officer with Bank of America. She leverages the knowledge and experience she has gained over more than 30 years in banking to help strengthen the fabric of her community, and she is proud to bring her unique perspective to bear on behalf of advancing Los Angeles Jewish Health.

“My great aunt, who suffered from early onset dementia, moved into LAJH in 2007, and the care and support she received were absolutely incredible,” Judy says. “As her health deteriorated and her needs changed, LAJH was right by her side, ensuring she received the very best of everything. I was impressed and decided to get involved in helping the organization further its mission, joining the board in 2009. I haven’t looked back since.”

Judy is only the second woman to serve as chair of the LAJH board. Her selection for the role was a recognition of her passionate and dedicated service over more than 15 years. Previously, she was an active participant on the board’s Strategic Planning Committee and chaired its Budget and Finance Committee and in-residence boards for both the Grancell Village and Eisenberg Village campuses. In addition, she has served on the board of the Annenberg School of Nursing.

Judy’s volunteer involvement extends across Los Angeles: She also serves on the board of Jewish Family Service L.A. and on the endowment committee of her synagogue, Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills. She traces her commitment to working on behalf of the Jewish community to her upbringing as the child of a Holocaust survivor. Her father fled Poland as a child, living in five different countries before making his way to Canada. When Judy was young, her family immigrated to the U.S. with $100 to their name, ultimately settling in Los Angeles.

“I grew up with very little, but my parents modeled a life with Jewish values, and it’s made me so thankful for what I have—and dedicated to finding ways to pay that forward,” she says. “That’s what’s so special about LAJH: We involve the entire community in building a place our elders can rely on now and in the future. Knowing we’re establishing this legacy, from generation to generation, is powerful and is something that keeps me going every day.”

Judy holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Real Estate from California State University, Northridge. She lives on L.A.’s Westside and has two adult children and two grandchildren.