Federations Participate in Peace Process Briefing at the White House

The Jewish Federations were invited to participate in a small gathering of top Jewish communal leaders at the White House yesterday evening. At the meeting, the group was briefed for approximately 90 minutes by Secretary of State John Kerry, National Security Advisor Susan Rice and Special Envoy Martin Indyk on the status of resumed Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations. 

The Jewish Federations of North America Board of Trustees Chair Michael Siegal, who attended the meeting, issued the following statement:

"Secretary Kerry reaffirmed his and the President’s commitment, optimism and realistic approach to guiding the peace process forward. The meeting had a seriousness of purpose, and a hopeful tone that something of value can be accomplished. We recognize that the course ahead will be challenging, but there is an opportunity today that cannot be missed. Jewish Federations applaud Secretary Kerry, Ambassador Rice, and Ambassador Indyk for their hard work and wish them success."

JFNA CEO Jerry Silverman Reports from the Kotel

Dear Friends,

Today (Wednesday) marked another eventful day in Jerusalem as the Women of the Wall organization (WoW) held their monthly prayer meeting at the Western Wall (Kotel) this morning, celebrating the new month of Elul. No arrests were made, but the WoW were not able to pray in the women's section of the Kotel, nor to pray with a Torah scroll as they had intended. Tikva Schein from our Israel office was present and reports on the developments.

Well before the announced start of the WoW service at 7am, the women's section of the Kotel was packed full largely by ultra-orthodox young women, leaving no room for any additional communal service.

The three hundred WoW supporters were forced to stay outside in the plaza area and were cordoned off by the police.

Police had urged both protesting sides not to create problems as police forces are required in greater number than normal today on the Temple Mount. Tens of thousands of Muslims are expected today for the last day of Ramadan. http://www.timesofisrael.com/police-ask-ultra-orthodox-women-of-the-wall-for-ramadan-truce/. Police had assured the WoW that they would escort the group safely to the women's section of the Kotel, where they could pray – but this promise was not fulfilled. See the map attached to this email for the location of the service.

The Women of the Wall tried to bring a Torah Scroll in to the women's section but were not allowed. This attempt was in contravention of the high court ruling, stating that no Torah scroll is permitted in the area other than those provided by the Western Wall authorities, who prohibit any scrolls being used outside the men's section. Several WoW members stood outside the Kotel complex, holding a Torah scroll in protest.

Around fifty ultra-orthodox men and boys protested the WoW service, loudly blowing whistles throughout the entire service, causing great disruption.

In addition, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Kotel plaza, was broadcast leading an orthodox Rosh Chodesh prayer service over loudspeakers. This is the second time that loudspeakers have been used in this religious context; normally they are only employed for official ceremonies held at the Kotel.

A few tried to bridge gaps and talk to one another, but generally tensions ran high.


The protest drew the attention of all present and was fuelled by the heavy media presence.

In addition to the WoW prayer service and counter protest, a quiet group of over fifty national religious/ Modern Orthodox people protested the refusal of Police to admit Jews on to the Temple Mount, the most holy site in Judaism, for the full duration of Ramadan. Tourists and non-Jews have been allowed up as normal.

At the end of the WoW service, over ten women joined together in proudly blowing the shofar, as traditionally occurs during the month of Elul.

We will continue to keep you updated as the situation demands.

For more details:

http://www.jpost.com/Jewish-World/Jewish-News/Masses-of-haredim-prevent-WoW-from-praying-at-Western-Wall-322312

http://www.timesofisrael.com/facing-jeers-and-whistles-women-of-wall-forced-to-back-of-kotel-plaza/


Jerry Silverman

President and CEO
Jewish Federations of North America

Jane Fantel Appointed Manager of Israel Operations

Jane Fantel

The Jewish Federation of San Diego County is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jane Fantel as Manager of Israel Operations. This new position is designed to connect Federation’s Vision & Mission work with current and potential new partnering agencies in Israel. Living part-time in Israel, Jane will be a liaison establishing on-the-ground communication and assessment with our current partners including the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), World Ort and our sister community, Sha’ar HaNegev, in addition to exploring new relationships that can further Federation’s reach and impact on Israeli communities in need. Jane brings with her many years of service to the Jewish community in a broad range of roles as well as her deep commitment to Israel which will undoubtedly be felt both here in San Diego and Israel. Working closely with Debbie Kornberg, Director of the Israel and Overseas Center, Jane’s frequent trips to Israel will allow for site visits and briefings on a more consistent basis, ensuring donor dollars are being used effectively and strategically.

Jane’s esteemed and enduring philanthropic career in the Jewish community began in 1974. For almost 40 years, Jane has been a consultant to a host of non-profit organizations, serving primarily the Jewish community. She has led successful capital-raising campaigns, and has served on the boards of many Jewish communal organizations including the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, Jacobs Family Campus; JPride; Temple Solel; the San Diego Jewish Academy; the Agency for Jewish Education; Yemin Orde Youth Village; and is a member of the Galinson Family Foundation of the Jewish Community Foundation. In 2005, she received her Honorary Doctorate in Jewish Non-Profit Management from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion for her 25 years of service to the Jewish community. Jane, her wife Laura, and their two children reside in San Diego, California and have a home in Jerusalem as well.

This New Year, Start Something BIG!

More than 20 Big and Little Pals in the Jewish BIGPals program recently spent an afternoon at CeramiCafe rediscovering their artistic talent. Little Pals were excited to show off their creations to their parents and the Big Pals enjoyed teaching the young ones that you don’t have to be Picasso to have fun creating art together.

Jewish Big Pals are safe, trusting role models, providing friendship and enriching experiences for Jewish boys and girls from Jewish single-parent and non-traditional families. Big Pals mentor children ages 6-16 and help them develop self-esteem, Jewish identity, and lasting relationships that can change their perspective on the world—and make a big impact in their lives. This New Year, join us and embark on an incredible journey with a Little Pal!

Jewish BIGPals

A Mentor. A Role Model. A Friend.  

Learn more at our free information session on Tuesday, October 8. Read more here and register online.  questions? Contact Diane Marks Schachat at (858) 637-3371 or dianes@jfssd.org.

Exclusive Padres Discount Ticket Offer for Jewish Community

The Padres are extending an exclusive discount ticket offer for two upcoming August home games. Whether you had a chance to attend Jewish Community Day at Petco Park earlier this summer or you missed out, this is a great opportunity to enjoy Padres baseball at a discounted price and receive a cool giveaway item. Please feel free to share this offer with any other families or friends that you think would want to take advantage of this offer.

Each ticket purchased through this offer will receive a Padres visor with Padres spelled in Hebrew letters.

This online discount offer is available in select sections for the following two August games:

Thursday, August 15 vs. New York Mets, 7:10pm
Sunday, August 25 vs. Chicago Cubs, 1:10pm
KidsFest at the Park

To purchase tickets, click on the link below and enter the Special Offer Code: JCD

https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/go.htmI?l=EN&t=padres&o=2563693&g=480

For questions or groups of 20 or more, please contact Logan Washburn at (619) 795-5137 or lwashburn@padres.com.

This Wednesday - Jewish Summer Social - At the Hotel Palomar!

Federation Assembles Task Force to Help Our Community's Elderly

Many of us have an elderly Jewish family member, friend or neighbor who could benefit from greater care. The number of San Diegans ages 60 and older is projected to more than double in the next 17 years, by then 25% of Jewish Americans will be 65 and older, and 90% of elders prefer to age in their own homes and neighborhoods.

Recognizing these facts, that challenges faced by thousands of San Diego’s estimated 25,000 elderly Jews are increasing as public funding for needed services declines, while the prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s increases, the Jewish Senior Services Council (JSSC) identified “aging in place” as the top priority to deepen our community’s caring for seniors. With the leadership of Steven D. Solomon, Ph.D., who served as JSSC Chair, and Lisa Haney, Director, Community Planning & Innovation Center, an Aging Task Force worked for nearly 20 months, examining local and national research, listening to community members and speaking with informed professionals to develop a local blueprint for action.

An innovative SeniorLink Gateways to Care emerged as the #1 recommendation for helping elders live in their own homes safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of income, age or ability level, through a collaboration of agencies providing outstanding services to Jewish seniors. Hubs located in diverse geographic regions of San Diego County would facilitate far easier access to the full range of greatest identified needs including medical and dental care, religious practices, home repairs and maintenance, wills and financial assistance, hospice and burial care, friendly visitors, civic engagement, volunteer opportunities and others services to alleviate isolation.

For more information about the plan of action and the respective community representatives who participated in an Aging Symposium and the development of the “Aging in Place, Deepening OurCommunity’s Caring for Elders” blueprint for progress, please see click here. As Abraham Joshua Heschel said, “A test of a people is how it behaves toward the old. It is easy to love children…but the affection and care for the old, the incurable, the helpless are the true gold mines of a culture.”