Federation Mourns the Lives Lost in Kansas City

The Jewish Federation of San Diego County stands in solidarity with the people of Greater Kansas City as we reflect upon the terrible events that took place Sunday afternoon. Today we stand together in mourning the lives lost in this senseless and horrific event. Federation and our partners pledge to do whatever we can to support the Kansas City community, and will continue to monitor any security concerns in our San Diego community. As we gather with family and friends to reflect upon the lessons of Passover, let us all be blessed to be among the ones we love, and strive for a world free of hate and terror. Our hearts go out to those who have suffered such sudden loss on this tragic day.   There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest. ~ Elie Wiesel

The "New" Jewish Community Building

Federation is excited to announce the renaming of the Federation Building as the Joseph and Lenka Finci Jewish Community Building. The building is named in honor of Joseph and Lenka Finci, who were relatives of the Viterbi family. It is a collaborative space for Jewish communal organizations in San Diego, and already houses Jewish Federation, Jewish Community Foundation, ADL, American Technion Society, Camp Mountain Chai, Hadassah, Stand With Us and TEAM.

"Renaming the building is the last step in fulfilling the dream of the Viterbi family and others, who imagined this building as a place that would not only house organizations that serve the San Diego Jewish community but also as a place in which community will be built and sustained.” said Michael Sonduck, Federation President and CEO.

A formal re-dedication ceremony is being planned.

There are currently four remaining vacant office spaces, with deeply discounted leases available for Jewish non-profit organizations. For more information, contact Susan Halliday, Federation CFO, at 858.737.7145.

SAVE THE DATE: 2014 Community Holocaust Commemoration

Calling All March of the Living Alumni

Jewish Federation Welcomes New Director of Community Partnerships

The Jewish Federation of San Diego County is pleased to announce that Don Schlesinger has joined the Federation staff as Senior Director of Community Partnerships. Don will lead Federation’s Israel and overseas initiatives, NextGen young adult outreach, Jewish camping, the community chaplaincy programs and the Jewish Community Relations Council.  He will work closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, partners and Federation staff to implement mission-driven initiatives in three strategic areas: fostering dynamic connections to Israel, broadening and deepening connections in Jewish life, and creating a more caring community.

“We are thrilled to welcome Don to the Federation,” said Michael Sonduck, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation.  After an extended search to fill this position which is key to the implementation of Federation's new Vision and Mission, we are excited to have found someone with Don's background, experience, reputation and energy.  We look forward to working with him to further grow and engage our community.”

Don practiced law for two decades in Las Vegas, where he was elected to public office as a member of the Clark County Commission.  Since 2005, Don has served in the Jewish nonprofit field, most recently as the Director of Community and Government Affairs for Jewish Family Service of Colorado and a Board Member of Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado.  Don earned his B.A in political science from the State University of New York at Albany and his law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law.  He's an avid softball and hockey player and loves to ski the Rockies.

Jewish Community Dedicates Torah for our Troops

Federation Board Chair Theresa Dupuis with
sofer, Rabbi Goldstien, adding the final letters to the Torah scroll

This Tuesday marked a monumental day for our San Diego Jewish community. At the JCCA Biennial, a dedication ceremony, called a siyum, was held to finalize a Torah to be given to our Jewish service members. At the ceremony, the final letters of the Torah were inscribed by sofer, Rabbi Goldstien, with honors from Jewish chaplains, as well as leaders from organizations that supported the fundraising including Federation, Beth Israel, the JCC, Beth El and Tifereth Israel. 

There are more than 10,000 Jewish men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces. While the Jewish Chaplains Council has for nearly a hundred years provided essential services for Jewish personnel, they are often lacking the most important ritual symbol - a Torah scroll.

Although there are over 60 Torahs on loan to major military bases around the world, these are too large for chaplains to carry into the field or to forward to bases in the challenging environments of Iraq and Afghanistan. There is a clear need for kosher Torahs small and lightweight enough to be easily transported from ship to ship and around the field of combat for use in services wherever they might be needed.

In 2011, Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs worked with Federation and our partners to in Torahs for our Troops, a project of the Jewish Welfare Board, Jewish Chaplains Council, and the Jewish Community Association of North America, who were working to fulfill the need for Torahs in the field. The San Diego Military Services Torahs are small, lightweight and are completely funded by the Jewish community of San Diego. This is the fourth out of five Torahs to be given via the Torah for our Troops program. 

A ceremony was held that night to present the Torah to the US Military Chaplains, as covered by San Diego Jewish World, below.

Gary Jacobs in prayer shawl presents new Torah to Rabbi/ Chaplain Harold Robinson. Holding pole at right is Michael Sonduck, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of San Diego (Photo: A. Victor Goodpasture)

From San Diego Jewish World: 

Aboard the retired Air Craft Carrier USS Midway, a new Torah was presented Tuesday evening, April 1, by the Jewish community of San Diego to the JWB, previously called the Jewish Welfare Board, for use by Jewish chaplains.

Carried under a chuppah by San Diego philanthropist Gary Jacobs, the Torah a few hours before had its final letters inked in by members of the Jewish chaplain corps who were attending the biennial convention of the Jewish Community Centers Association at the nearby Hilton Bayside Hotel. Rabbi Harold Robinson, in Navy uniform, accepted the Torah in behalf of chaplains of the Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy. Representatives of those services then escorted the Torah from the ceremony, and assembled guests then had dinner together in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier, which today serves as a museum ship.

David Wax at lectern, with Rabbi Michael Berk beside him, speaks as Gary Jacobs holds Torah and Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal holds front left pole of Chuppah (Photo: A. Victor Goodpasture)

A Call for Singers & Dancers for Yom HaZikaron & Yom Ha’atzmaout Festival 2014 – Free Choir and Dance Troupe

Jewish 1st – 8th Graders, are invited to join the San Diego Community Choir and/or Dancing Group that will Perform at San Diego’s Yom HaZikaron Ceremony and Yom Ha'atzmaut Festival, 2014.

This program subsidized by the Tarbuton for Jewish families in San Diego encourages children to participate in both Holidays bringing their love and passion for Israel and sharing that passion with the community. 

The dancing group will perform in the Yom Hazikaron Ceremony (Israel Memorial Day).  The singing group will sing in the Yom Haatzmaut Festival. There are no fees to participate. 

Rehearsals will take place on Sundays 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, 4/27 @the Tarbuton in Carmel Valley. 12:00-12:30 Singing. 12:30-1:00 dancing.

The Yom Hazikaron ceremony is on May 4th at 7pm. Dress rehearsal will take place at the JCC on Monday April 18th at 5pm.  The Yom Haatzmaut festival is on May 18th at Nobel Park, A rehearsal will take place at the festival beforehand.

Please confirm participation at info@tarbuton.org