YAD Goes Urbn

Coordinators Miki Lamm, Joel Blumenfeld, Dina Itelson

Over 60 Jewish young professionals gathered on Thursday, February 7 for the first YAD Happy Hour of 2013. Men and women in their 20s and 30s milled around URBN Coal Fired Pizza in North Park to enjoy craft beer, artisan pizzas, and specialty cocktails while they chatted with old friends and newcomers to the area.

YAD Happy Hour Cluster coordinators Joel Blumenfeld, Dina Itelson, and Miki Lamm organized the event, just the first of a series of happy hours in 2013 that will bring San Diego’s Jewish young professionals together to mix, mingle, and learn about future events with Federation’s YAD (Young Adult Division). “We get together as young Jewish professionals once a month to connect, meet new people, and be involved in the community,” said Dina, one of the coordinators.

Miki Lamm, another coordinator, added that the happy hours “give us the opportunity to network with other young adults, and for them to network with each other.” Thursday’s event marked the one year and one month anniversary of the group. 

The happy hour came at a good time of year, attracting many newcomers to San Diego. Ashley Carber, who recently moved back to San Diego from Los Angeles, said that “after moving back to San Diego after 10 years living elsewhere, I’m looking forward to reconnecting with the Jewish community.” 

The event was also the perfect time to re-entice people who had maybe only been to one or two previous YAD events. “It's my second event,” commented Dominic Sandrik, “it's a great time here at YAD, a lot great people.”

As attendees got to know each other, YAD Program Manager Carly Ezell walked around greeting everyone and promoting future events like a Newcomers’ Brunch and an upcoming Purim Party. The happy hour was also the perfect opportunity to welcome the newest member of the YAD team, Alex Leverant, who just started work this week as the YAD Program Associate. “I'm so excited to be part of the YAD family,” said Alex.

All Jewish young professional who are new (or returning) to San Diego are invited to attend the Newcomers’ Brunch on February 24, please contact Carly Ezell for details. The entire YAD community and their friends are invited to a Totally 80’s Purim Party on March 2.

The Young Adult Division organizes themed, peer-run clusters, such as dining out, book clubs, or outdoor activities. For more information, visit yadsandiego.org or contact Carly Ezell at (619) 737-7128 or carlye@jewishfederationsandiego.org.

To see more great pictures of the event, click here.