Meet San Diego’s Visiting Delegation from Sha’ar HaNegev

The Jewish Federation of San Diego County is proud and excited to welcome a group of visitors from our sister-city, Sha’ar HaNegev, to our community in March.

Over 14 years ago, San Diego’s Jewish community began its partnership with Sha’ar HaNegev (“SHN”), a 6,000 person region located on the Gaza border. Through personal relationships, the sister-city bond grew, and in 2011, San Diego formalized its relationship through the Partnership2Gether program. This program has facilitated the blossoming of San Diego and Sha’ar Hanegev’s relationship through programs such as the Jewish Peoplehood Project, the Small Business Loan Fund directed at the 10 kibbutzim in the region, the Center for Entrepreneurship which creates an economic incubator model that supports business development in the SHN region, and the Cinematic Bridge film festival connection program.

A direct result of San Diego’s participation in Partnership2Gether, 16 delegates from Sha’ar HaNegev, including Mayor Alon Schuster and high school Principal Aharale Rothstein, will be coming to San Diego from March 1 - March 6, 2013 to continue to strengthen relationships in the Jewish community, help foster a sense of Jewish peoplehood, and learn about youth exchanges and business development opportunities. 

Mayor Alon Schuster, Andrew Viterbi, Larry Acheatel and Claire Ellman

The delegates’ visit will be packed with visits to the San Diego Jewish Academy, the KEN, the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, and local synagogues and businesses. Both SHN residents and select San Diego community members will participate in Jewish Peoplehood conversations, Israel dialogue, a youth exchange programming session, and brainstorming on the Jewish future. The SHN delegation’s trip will culminate in a very special dinner and evening program with Dr. Marc Dollinger, Richard and Rhoda Goldman Professor of Jewish Studies and Social Responsibility at San Francisco State University and editor of California Jews.

JOIN US and Meet the Delegation! 

Sunday, March 3, 2013, 1pm – 4pm at San Diego Jewish Academy 

Exploring Jewish Identity in Israel and North America: Study with Rabbi Graubart 

Congregation Beth El and Aharale Rothstein, Principal of Sha’ar HaNegev Regional High School

RSVP with your attendance

Monday, March 4, 2013, 6:30pm – 8:30pm at Congregation Beth El 

Religious Pluralism: Understanding American and Israeli Judaism and What we Can Learn from Each Other

A Panel Discussion with Rabbi Yael Ridberg, Congregation Dor Hadash; Rabbi Phil Graubart, Congregation Beth El; Yossi Sussana, Sha’ar HaNegev Adult Educator; Aharale Rothstein, Sha’ar HaNegev High School Principal

RSVP with your attendance 

If you are interested in getting involved with our Sha’ar HaNegev Partnership2Gether, please email Debbie Kornberg or call her at (858) 737-7122.