20 Years of Stories: Meet Devon Miller
In 2023, Devon Miller arrived in a Los Angeles cafe, scanning the room for Rabbi Sofia Zway. Although they’d never met before, he’d agreed to grab coffee with her and chat about a new community she was starting: Base LA. Devon admits that he wasn’t sure what to expect – but he’s so glad he took the leap.
That conversation, he says, “has changed my life.”
Devon was a recent arrival to Los Angeles’s Pico Robertson neighborhood. Although he had grown up “completely secular,” Pico Robertson, one of the most Jewish neighborhoods in Los Angeles, was the perfect place to begin his Jewish journey. He began going to the local Moishe House, which turned into exploring each of the Moishe Houses across LA. “Each Moishe House has a unique community, unique programming,” he explains. “I found some great friends.”
Still, he didn’t feel like he had found his home. So, when some of those friends told him about a new, rabbi-led community called “Base,” Devon reached out – leading to that first coffee chat.
“[Rabbi Sofia] wanted to understand what already existed and … how she could offer something unique,” says Devon. From his first steps into the Jewish world of Los Angeles, he had a clear idea of where Base LA could fit into the landscape. “A lot of what is around,” he told her, “is… groups in varying different observance levels. But there wasn’t really a pluralistic community where everyone is welcome.”
That’s exactly what Base LA became. And clearly, Devon hadn’t been the only one experiencing that gap. Rabbi Sofia’s first ever program was a Shabbat lunch for 10 people – a year later, 50 people came to Base LA’s anniversary party.
“From that first coffee,” Devon recalls warmly, “we built the community.” He’s proud to have been a part of that growth, inviting tons of friends to check out Base. “I’m one of the ambassadors,” he says with a grin.
Being a part of Base LA, and with Rabbi Sofia’s guidance, has helped Devon broaden his horizons of Jewish practice.
“I never would’ve thought I’d be doing Torah study…or actually enjoying it!” He laughs. “But the way they approach it, it’s more about a conversation … how can these values from 1000 years ago be applied today? Do they still apply? They don’t try to force anything on anyone. They just want to give you the platter of what Judaism is, and you can pick and choose.”
That includes not only Rabbi Sofia, but her husband Brett Kopin, who is also a rabbi. The partners of Base rabbis co-lead their Base communities, but Brett being a rabbi gives Base LA a special flavor. “It’s a two for one!” jokes Devon.
Rabbi Sofia and Rav Brett’s combined expertise has had a huge impact on him. “As I’ve been on this journey,” Devon explains, “I have kind of run the gamut of Jewish spaces from very reform to Orthodox. I’ve found that my personal relationship to Judaism is kind of right in between Brett and Sofia, so it’s perfect.”
He also thinks that by hosting out of a home – chatting on a living room couch, gathering around the dining table, or enjoying the warm California air in the backyard – Base truly makes rabbis feel “accessible.”
“My mom’s perception of a rabbi is the black hat and the big beard,” Devon says with a chuckle. “Rabbis, sometimes, are put on this pedestal because of their position. But being welcomed in [Sofia’s] home and getting to know her, and Brett, and now their baby…just being a part of their lives is amazing.”
Through Base, he’s added even more rabbis to his circle of friends. Three members of the community had been ordained recently, leading to a small community celebration. “There are at least eight or nine [rabbis],” he says, then pauses, running through the total in his head. “Actually, no, there are 10!”
But even though he isn’t planning on becoming a rabbi himself, Devon is deeply Jewishly involved. From his day job as a Jewish professional, to multiple volunteer roles, to leadership programs, plus attending Moishe House programs and an upcoming stint as a counselor at Camp Nai, his Google Calendar is packed. He admits that he’s been called “the Mayor of Jewish LA,” although he waves it off: “I don’t believe that! I don’t like that title. But I’ve been called that multiple times.”
Still, despite the many vibrant communities he is now a part of, Base LA holds a special place in his heart.
“It’s nice to be able to… see what the second biggest Jewish community in the country has to offer, but still have that home base to go back to,” he says. “I venture out, but [Base LA] is still my home.”
From being a Moishe House community member, to a dedicated Base participant, to looking forward to Camp Nai, he’s very grateful for the welcome that Mem Global programs provide. “Judaism is a spectrum…and Mem Global and Base provide resources and support for all young Jewish folks across the spectrum.”
Looking around the community that has grown around Base LA, Devon sees that same experience reflected in others.
“It’s such unique programming, a unique ability to engage people that don’t feel welcome or don’t feel engaged in other spaces. Base does an amazing job to… create the space and build the community to engage young Jewish people that I think would even lose Judaism without it.”
If you want to support more journeys like Devon’s, consider giving to one of our 20 Ways to Give! Created in honor of Mem Global’s 20th anniversary, these are 20 meaningful opportunities to support the programs that make a difference for Jewish young adults around the world, including sponsoring a year of programming at a Base.