Michael Sonduck Appointed CEO of Federation!

The Jewish Federation of San Diego is honored and delighted to announce that Michael Sonduck has accepted the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of our Federation, effective immediately. As interim CEO for these past ten months, we were fortunate to observe Michael’s skills in many areas especially in helping us forge a new purpose and strategy for our Federation and building improved relationships with our partners and donors. We are so fortunate that his seven years prior experience as Federation’s Chief Operating Officer affords us the added benefit of a smooth transition. Michael possesses the leadership, vision and enthusiasm that will move us to the next level in our community.

Michael has been associated with the Federation since 2004, as a consultant, Director of Strategic Implementation and as Chief Operating Officer.  Prior to working for Federation, Sonduck led a management consulting practice for twenty-five years focusing on the role of leadership in strategic change.  His clients included business, government and non-profit leaders.  He is a published author and accomplished public speaker. He has been active as a synagogue Board member and led strategic planning activities for several synagogues and Jewish organizations. He is a graduate of George Williams College.

The selection process was conducted with consultation from the Jewish Federation of North America’s Mandel Center for Leadership Excellence.

Claire Ellman, Board Chair

Yom Hazikaron - We Want to Hear Your Story

Your Federation is hosting San Diego's Yom Hazikaron Ceremony on April 14th at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center (JCC). At the event each year, we come together as a community to light candles, share stories, and reflect in memory of our loved ones who fell in Israel’s wars or in acts of terror. In order to make it more personal and meaningful, community members are invited to participate in the ceremony. If you are interested in doing so by sharing a story, or lighting a candle in memory, please email Varda at varda@san.rr.com by February 10th.

"Dare to Dream" Program Inspires Local Teens

As part of our interfaith work, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) brought together Jewish  Family Service, the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, King Chavez Schools and the Barrio Logan College Institute to create the 2013 Teen Social Justice Coalition, Dare to Dream. 

Dare to Dream brings together high school students from across San Diego County to learn about diversity and social justice issues while giving back to the community in meaningful way. Forty teens from diverse backgrounds, representing more than 11 different high schools, were selected to participate in the program designed to follow the legacies of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Cesar Chavez.

Specifically the teens have the opportunity to: 

· Learn to create a positive community change through art

· Build bridges and friendships with other teens from across San Diego

· Earn service hours and receive a certificate reflecting your contributions to the community

· Be exposed to current social justice issues and how each person can make a difference

· Participate in dynamic diversity workshops lead by local leaders

· Understand the important legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez

· Develop leadership and cultural competency skills
This past weekend the teens met for the first time, shared their stories and actively participated in discussions about inequality, social justice, and inclusion. In keeping with the theme of the All People’s Breakfast, the Art of Change, the teens created a piece of artwork that was displayed at the breakfast where Mayor Filner was the keynote speaker. 

In April the teens will participate in a national day of service, hear an exciting key note speaker and honor Cesar Chavez 

In May we will conclude with a Dinner to Celebrate Dare to Dream’s accomplishment with a dinner, family, friends and local community leaders.

San Diego B'nai Mitzvah Students Doing Mitzvot

B’nai Mitzvah students in 6^th through 8^th grade across San Diego County are participating in the Federation’s Mitzvah Makers program and experiencing how they can make a difference in the lives of others and become compassionate, dedicated Jewish adults. 

Created a year ago in collaboration with several local synagogues and rabbis, the Mitzvah Makers works with Bar and Bat Mitzvah students to find or create a mitzvah (“good deed” or “commandment”) project that fits the teen’s interest and connects that interest to the local and/or global Jewish community. A colorful and easy-to-navigate website, themitzvahmakers.org, provides basic information, but more importantly, it celebrates each student’s project for the public to see and admire. The Mitzvah Makers site also provides unique URL links for each student to share his/her project experience with friends and families and collect tzedakah (“charity”) donations for the cause they have chosen.

The inaugural year’s Mitzvah Makers have created exciting and dynamic projects that have benefited a variety of populations and causes: Children and adults suffering from illness, at-risk youth, children with special needs, memorializing children who perished in the Holocaust, hunger, poverty, and a slew of others. Collectively, these students have raised over $23,000 from family and friends for causes and issues they are passionate about. The students experience tangible results of their hard work, commitment, and the Jewish value of tikkun olam (“healing the world”), and these projects have given the B’nai Mitzvah experience added value and meaning. Parents are thrilled that their teens are discovering new depth in the traditional Jewish ceremony marking adulthood, and they appreciate the support Federation has provided in taking the time to work with each student to help create and implement personally tailored projects. The Federation also hosts and provides technical support for the official website and online donation platform, creating a modern interface that teenagers and their peers are comfortable with.

The Jewish Federation hopes to build on this past year’s success and expand Mitzvah Makers. The Federation invites all area synagogues, students in 6^th - 8^th grade, and future B’nai Mitzvah students to join the Mitzvah Makers program. For teens and families, visit www.themitzvahmakers.org to learn more and get started on your project. If you are a local rabbi or synagogue representative and want to know how you and your congregation can participate, please contact Karen Grossman at (858) 876-7527 or email her at Kareng@JewishFederationSanDiego.org. 

Innovation in Healing and Peace Building: Save a Child's Heart

Innovation in Healing and Peace Building:  Save a Child's Heart

Doctors Arie Schachner & Lior Sasson

Federation partner Stand With Us, through its Israel Start Up Nation Series, invites the community to meet the founding physician and head surgeon of Save a Child's Heart, a remarkable Israeli-based international humanitarian project that through providing free pediatric life saving surgeries and training in the developing world, are building bridges towards peace. Save a Child's Heart has provided free heart surgeries to more than 3,000 children from 44 developing countries around the world; 50% from the Palestinian Authority, Morocco, Jordan and Iraq, and the rest are from Africa, South America, Asia and Eastern Europe. Click HERE for more on Save a Child's Heart.   

Thank you to Federation Board Chair Elect and Vice Chair of Jewish Philanthropy Theresa Dupuis for bringing them to San Diego.

When: This Wednesday, January 30, 2013  12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Where: UCSD Rady School of Management

9500 Gilman Drive  San Diego, CA 92093 

Wells Fargo Hall, first floor, room 1N108

Click HERE for directions to Pangea parking lot

Who: Co-sponsored by the Stand With US Israel Start Up Nation Series, US-Israel Center on Innovation at the Rady School of Management and the Division of Pediatric Cardiology at UCSD

RSVP to UCSD click HERE Or RSVP on Facebook click HERE 

Jewish Group Home for Adults with Mental Illness Holds Open House

Recent tragedies in this country, such as the Newtown school shooting, have sparked critical conversations about how society and healthcare deals with mental illness. In the 21^st century, as the US becomes more progressive and sensitive to its populations uniqueness, the stigma surrounding mental illness continues to prevent people, from loving mothers to active-duty soldiers, from seeking treatment. Ignoring mental health needs has all too often resulted in tragedy for too many families. A grassroots San Diego effort is seeking to help rectify these issues, to dispel myths and stigma, and to provide a safe and loving environment for adults with mental illness through the creation of Chesed Home, Home of “Loving Kindness.”

After years of fundraising and advocacy, Chesed Home is finally approaching its goal. With the support of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County’s Innovation Grants, Chesed Home was able to expedite its processes, finding an appropriate space in Escondido and signing a lease. On Wednesday, January 23, Chesed Home held its first Open House, welcoming community members from across San Diego to see the facility that their dedication and support has built.

Dozens of people streamed in and out of the open house, taking tours of the facility with Chesed Home leadership, including board president Fern Siegel, who noted that they could not have accomplished so much without Federation’s support. Jewish art and ritual objects were scattered around the home, emphasizing that this group home, while open to any individual from any background, will be built on Jewish values.

 

Grassroots organizer and advisory board member Devorah Shore was inspired to action after seeing the below standard facilities and programs her own son had to settle for, and she will now also serve as a Volunteer Coordinator. She explained that “the essence of the home will be uplifted by the quality and quantity of Jewish volunteers who will surround the home with positive caring and love.”  She added that Chesed Home is obtaining proper licensing and searching for a Program Director before a projected opening in 1-2 months. Once open, residents will be able to use their monthly subsidies from government agencies to help pay the necessary fees. Even with some additional private funds required, the facility will cost a half of what similar services would, thanks to the support Chesed Home has received from Federation and numerous donors. “We want this to be a place of pride…a legacy parents can leave once they have passed on,” Devorah added.

The Escondido facility was originally built to be a group home, and Chesed Home has taken full advantage of its spacious and multiple rooms. The facility will support, nurture, and care for residents’ minds, bodies, and spirits through technology, nutritious meals, exercise, gardening, and art, in addition to traditional treatment methods. The home is fully equipped with a sparkling new vegetarian kitchen where residents will cook nutritious meals using food they grow in their own garden. A fitness room will have stationary bikes, yoga mats, and other health equipment, and residents will have full use of a television and computers. Local public transportation, a future home vehicle, and a walkable neighborhood will provide independence and flexibility in a structured environment.  

Executive Board member Dana Glasser noted that Chesed Home will be “a home away from home and a family to rely on and trust” for its residents. “People will feel safe and loved and cared for.”

“There is an amazing, diverse Jewish community here in San Diego,” explained Devorah, “Everyone has offered to come help and volunteer, and we are thrilled and so grateful. We are grateful to Federation for its financial backing and marketing and fundraising workshops, and we are thankful to our donors. Every bit makes a big difference.”

Chesed Home will hold a second Open House on Sunday, January 27 at 11:00am and it is located at 402 West Lincoln Avenue, Escondido, CA 92026. They invite the entire community to visit and see what their love and support has built. 

Birthright Registration Opens February 13

Birthright Registration is just around the corner! We are thrilled to have a community bus this summer for young adults (ages 22-26) departing in mid-June. 

Don't miss this amazing opportunity!

For more information, contact Carly Ezell at CarlyE@JewishFederationSanDiego.org