Free community health expo is this Sunday in West Hills

The West Valley Community Health Expo will be presented free of charge from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun., Aug. 4 at Shomrei Torah Synagogue (STS), 7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills.

STS is a co-sponsor of the health expo along with Temple Aliyah, Valley Outreach Synagogue and the West Valley Jewish Community Center (WVJCC).

The event is a fundraiser for Magen David Adom West, supporting Israel’s emergency medical services. Its goal is to raise funds to purchase an ambulance in Israel while it raises awareness among local residents about their own health.

There will be more than 50 exhibitors, free health screenings, speakers, demonstrations and children’s activities. A Red Cross blood drive will be held on site from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Potential donors may call STS for an appointment or come as a walk-in donor.

Raffle tickets will be sold for chances to win more than 20 different prizes.

Although the expo is open to the entire community, "there will be a decidedly Jewish flavor to the day," according to committee chair Nedra Weinrich. Judy Zeidler, of Zeidler’s Café at the Skirball Cultural Center, will present a healthy kosher cooking demonstration and book signing.

Speakers include Dr. Rena Falk of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, speaking on "Genetic Screening and Pregnancy Planning—What the Jewish Couple Needs to Know," and Jerry Guon, a transplant recipient, speaking on "Organ Donation—the Jewish Perspective.

Other speakers include Howard Parmet, director of Magen David Adom West, speaking on "Israel’s Emergency Medical Needs: Today’s Reality—Tomorrow’s Hope."

Some of the exhibitors will be providing information on diseases more likely to affect Jewish people. Others, like the WVJCC and the H.O.P.E. Unit Foundation provide services to the Jewish community.

Health screenings include blood pressure checks, fitness/body fat analysis, grip strength testing, foot screening, hearing tests, spinal screenings, blood sugar checks and more.

For more information, please call STS at (818) 346-0811.