Federation Board Chair Theresa Dupuis Highlighted in Union Tribune

Federation Board Chair Theresa Dupuis graced page two of the San Diego Union Tribune this morning - discussing Jewish community, family, and the Jewish state. Read her interview here:

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/Jul/24/tp-sharing-joys-of-jewish-life/?#article-copy

Three Women on a Mission: Minsk and Israel

Leigh Kole Johnson enjoying time with Birthright participants

Last week, three San Diegan women participated in an inspiring and most meaningful experience on the Jewish Federation of North America’s (JFNA) Campaign Chairs & Directors Mission, along with 95 other participants from all over North America. Leigh Johnson, Women's Philanthropy Chair, Lisa Kornfeld, Women’s Philanthropy Campaign Chair, and Debbie Kempinski, Major Gifts Officer, Women’s Philanthropy, traveled over 24 hours to arrive to Minsk, Belarus to see the life changing work with the elderly, children and young adults and the amazing programs being done with Federation dollars.  Together, we spent three days in Minsk, Belarus, learning about the horrors of the Holocaust that decimated a large part of the Jewish community of Belarus, while also meeting children and young adults who are now embracing their Jewish heritage. A common theme of the Mission, “Why Minsk? Why now?” Out of despair comes hope and along with the promise for a brighter future. We met young leaders of the community, many who are past Birthright participants, who are inspiring and engaging others in the community to create a vibrant rebirth and rejuvenation of the Jewish community of the Former Soviet Union.

Lisa Kornfeld at the Minsk JCC participating in a program for senior citizens

From Minsk we travelled to Israel, to spend four days in the Jewish homeland. Once again, we saw in action our dollars making the difference in lives all across the country. We met with middle school students who attend a special science and technology program at a new state-of-the-art World ORT school in the north. We then met “youth-at-risk” involved with the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) that provide after school programs that involve not only the youth, but their families and teachers as well, to work together to bring about real change, and learned about a American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) program that empowers disabled parents and restores their belief in themselves allowing them to successfully parent their children. This is just a sample of some of what we experienced together. Stay tuned for more info on this incredible journey!

Debbie kempinski and Lisa Kornfeld in Belarus at a Jewish summer
camp enjoying time with thirteen year-olds from Minsk.

Truly inspiring work being done with our Federation dollars! TOGETHER, we are doing extraordinary things and impacting our Jewish community around the globe. 

Debbie Kempinski and Lisa Kornfeld met with Tamara, Righteous
of the Nations, who saved three Jews during WWII.

Leigh Kole Johnson participating in
Jewish cemetery clean up in Belarus

Friendship Circle Hosts Double Bar Mitzvah

Parker Lynch celebrates his bar mitzvah at Chabad of Poway

 with Rabbi Mendy Rubenfeld, left and Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, center.

Federation partner Friendship Circle recently hosted an inspirational double bar mitzvah in Poway. Read more about this amazing day here. The Friendship Circle is a non-profit organization that addresses the challenges facing the families of children with special needs in a novel and innovative way. Mazel tov to Andrew and Parker!

THANK YOU - Your Support Makes a Difference!

Thank you to the more than 3,700 people who made a pledge to strengthen Jewish life in San Diego, Israel and around the world by supporting the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County with commitments of more than $5,800,000. We are extremely proud of this accomplishment and of the special contribution of supporters of 1800 women who committed more than $2,834,000 to this year’s campaign throughh Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy. Of very special significance are the 500 first-time supporters of Federation this year and more than 1,000 supporters who returned to the Federation Family.
This is the first time in six years that the number of people contributing to the Annual Campaign and the total dollars committed has increased year-over-year! Your support makes it possible for Federation to implement Our Vision A vibrant, caring, connected, and enduring Jewish community, and accomplish Our Mission Inspired by Jewish values, we broaden and deepen engagement in Jewish life to strengthen Jewish identity, foster dynamic connections with Israel, and care for all Jews in need. We mobilize our community's resources, leaders, and organizations to address the community's most critical needs, creating profound impact locally, in Israel and around the world Adopted by the Board of Directors on May 1, 2013. In the coming weeks you will have the opportunity to read and hear more about the changes the Federation Board of Directors has approved to assure the future success of your Federation and its continued support for our community in San Diego and around the world.

 

Announcing: Federation's 2013 – 2014 Board of Directors!

Theresa M. Dupuis
Federation's New Board Chair

We are excited to announce Federation’s new Board of Directors for 2013 – 2014, which will be led by long time Federation leader, Theresa Dupuis! Federation is successful to a large part because the extraordinary leadership of our volunteers all of whom are very enthusiastic about the coming year. We are so grateful to last year’s Board members, who dedicated countless hours to supporting and guiding Federation through this exciting, and challenging, year. A special thank you to our most recent Board Chair, Claire Ellman, for all she’s done for our Jewish Community.

Federation 2013 – 2014 Board of Directors:

Board Chair *	Theresa Dupuis
Immediate Past Board Chair *	Claire Ellman
Vice Chair - Philanthropy *	Laura Tauber
Women's Philanthropy Board Chair *	Leigh Johnson
Vice Chair - Community Partnerships*	Caryn Viterbi
Vice Chair - Finance & Secretary/Treasurer *	Gary Kornfeld
Jewish Community Foundation Board Chair *	Jeff Silberman
YAD Board Chair	Todd Kirschen
JCRC Chair	Tad Parzen
Women's Philanthropy Campaign Chair	Lisa Kornfeld
Director-at-Large	Judith Belinsky
Director-at-Large	Terri Bignell
Director-at-Large	Larry Bloch
Director-at-Large	Jeff Deverett
Director-at-Large	Ira Feinswog
Director-at-Large	David Geffen
Director-at-Large	Jennifer Levitt
Director-at-Large	Jack Maizel
Director-at-Large	Lori Polin
Director-at-Large	Andrew Ratner
Director-at-Large	Robert Rubenstein
Director-at-Large	Jon Schneider
Director-at-Large	Susan Shmalo
Director-at-Large	Steve Shulman
Director-at-Large *	Brian Tauber
President & CEO *	Michael Sonduck

*Executive Committee Member

Stay tuned for upcoming information on this year’s leadership!

Your Federation Gift at Work - JDC in Greece

Dear friend of JDC,

Of all the countries plagued by Europe’s economic crisis, Greece has stood out in the headlines. After five years of economic contraction, the country continues to buckle under bailout-imposed austerity measures, plunging living standards, and soaring unemployment rates. Add to that political extremism and social unrest and one understands why this ancient nation has been exposed to the global spotlight.

Under those circumstances I traveled to Athens three weeks ago and found the city’s 3,000-member Jewish community—like all of Greece—struggling, but determined to forge ahead.

As many of you well know, JDC, with Jewish Federations of North America support, has been leading a global consortium of Jewish organizations, communities, and philanthropists who’ve extended help to this financially strapped community over the past two years.

And while my visit was in many ways a statement of solidarity, bolstered by a JDC Board mission that took place just a few days before, I believe our presence in Athens was even more poignant because it provided insight into the juxtaposition between the crippling challenges besetting Greece and a Jewish community proudly weathering that storm.

To read more about the unfolding situation in Greece and the insights gained from our visits, please click here.

Till the next time,

Alan H. Gill

Chief Executive Officer - JDC

Alan Viterbi to Chair JCRC Elected Officials Trip to Israel

This summer (July 21-28) the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County will take a group of elected officials to Israel for an intensive educational seminar in order to advance understanding of Israel across key fields. Participants experience Israeli society, connect with their Israeli counterparts and learn about Israel’s extensive contributions in their fields.

Educational goals are nonpartisan and apolitical. We believe that Israel’s achievements, diversity, aspirations and challenges require no intermediary. They are best conveyed by Israeli policymakers, journalists, and governmental officials themselves in their own words. These seminars are challenging and promote dialogue, offering multiple perspectives on complex issues. We will also meet with Israeli Arabs and Palestinians.

This seminar will be customized, reflecting the professional interests and backgrounds of our elected officials. Participants will discuss and debate key foreign policy questions with Israeli leaders. They will hear a range of viewpoints and exchange knowledge on best practices in areas like immigration policy, environment, and counter-terrorism. Israel’s historic, religious, and archaeological sites are also an important component of the trip.

A visit to Sha’ar HaNegev and an opportunity to learn about the connection between the San Diego Federation and the work it supports in Israel will be a highlight of the trip.

The impact of this seminar will continue long after leaders return home, as they further their engagement with the local Jewish community; put their new networks, ideas, and understanding of Israel to work; and go on to shape public opinion and policy. Their interactions often result in presentations, published articles, interviews, and a demonstration of the knowledge of historical depth and analytical skills which reflect their enhanced understanding of Israel’s complexities

Jewish community leaders will join the trip to help develop and strengthen the bond with the Jewish community and with Israel. These community leaders are interested in and/or have some connection to shaping public policy, are willing and able to develop and sustain long term relationships with the elected officials and assist in finding opportunities within the community in which they can share their experiences.