Federation Gives more than $230,000 in Supplemental Grants

During Chanukah your Federation was able to make more than $232,000 in supplemental grants thanks to our donors’ generosity in the 2012 campaign exceeding our estimates and because we controlled spending in that same period.  Lisa Haney, Director of Community Planning and Innovation, wrote to inform our great partners that we would be providing additional funding to their programs. Today, we'd like to share some of their wonderful responses, below:

San Diego Jewish Academy

Dear Lisa,

What a lovely and unexpected email! Thank you for thinking of SDJA and for all of the tremendous work that you and everyone else is doing to build up community and create a true Kehillat San Diego. May every campaign exceed our goals.

In the spirit of how we would celebrate Hanukkah in Israel, Nes Gadol Haya Po.(A great miracle happened here...)

On behalf of SDJA, thank you.
Chaim Heller, Head of School

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Chabad Hebrew Academy

Lisa,

Thank you to the entire Federation leadership for this tremendous Chanukah gift. We are most appreciative that you have made Jewish education a vital and recognized priority.

Thank you for revitalizing and reinvigorating San Diego Jewish leadership.

Chanukah Sameach,
Rabbi Josef Fradkin Head of School

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Torah High School of San Diego

Dear Lisa,

Thank you very much. It is a wonderful Chanukah present. As always, we greatly appreciate everything you do for Torah High and for San Diego.

Happy Chanukah and have a wonderful Shabbos.

Sincerely yours,
Rabbi Michoel Peikes

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Southern California Yeshiva High School

Hi, Lisa.

We are so happy that the campaign was so successful, and we are very appreciative to the Board for thinking of us.

Happy Chanukah!

All the best,
Rabbi Moishe Adatto

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Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council, Mayor

Dear Lisa,

Mayor Alon Schuster

Thank you for the great news; I am glad for the success of the campaign and, of course, for upgrading our grant. We accept your idea for splitting the supplemental grant as indicated in the chart.

Please, send our thanks and appreciations to our friends in the board of the Federation.

I wish to meet you all very soon,
Alon Schuster רטסוש†ןולא

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Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council, Resource Development Director

Dear Lisa,

Thank you so much for increasing your support for our programs I really appreciate the efforts you are making to help us. We are now marking 4 weeks since the cease fire was signed between Israel and the Hamas. Only days will tell if the quiet will remain or we will be forced to suffer another difficult security operation in the near future. We are doing all we can to maintain a "regular routine" and pray that one day peace will return to the region. We got remarkable achievements thanks to wonderful people who believed in our vision and full partners in the long road we did. The SD federation is an integral part of Shaar Hanegev Regional council through all those challenged years and we are very proud of this important friendship

Thank you so much for your time and consideration
Varda Goldstein ורדה†גולדשטיין†

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Jewish Federations of North America

Fabulous. Thank you so much.

William C. Daroff, Vice President for Public Policy & Director of the Washington office

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Seacrest Village Retirement Communities

Dear Lisa,

What a beautiful and timely gift this 5th night of Chanukah! On behalf of all of us at Seacrest, I want to thank you for this additional funding to support the charitable care needs of our residents. Happy Chanukah to you and yours.

Warmly,
Pam Ferris

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Ken Jewish Community

We will review but wanted to thank you immediately for your support and generosity.

Leonardo Simpser

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Moishe House

Wow! Wonderful news, thank you. We will certainly put it to good use in building strong Jewish community for young adults in San Diego.

An early Shabbat Shalom,
David Cygielman

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Jewish Family Service

Hi Lisa,

Thank you! It really does help as the needs for services doesn't ever seem to become less. Enjoy your weekend.

Shabbat Shalom.
Michael Hopkins

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Hillel

This is wonderful news! Thank you for sharing this and for providing the supplemental funding. I am very happy to hear the campaign closed higher than expected. That bodes well for our community.

I am excited to share this with our board.
Michael Rabkin

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Birthright Israel Foundation/SD

Dear Lisa,

Birthright San Diego 2012

Please accept my sincerest thank you for this supplemental donation to Birthright Israel due to your campaign closing higher than projected. That is fabulous news for us and your board must be so pleased to have such a successful campaign.

May I ask that you thank the board, and Michael Sonduck, on our behalf for their graciousness and support in 2012?

It has been a pleasure working with Michael and I am grateful for his kindness and that of your entire board.

Wishing the San Diego Federation a most successful 2013 and I look forward to our continued collaboration.

My best,
Harriett Zeitlin

YAD Hosts Record Breaking Place2Be!

Jewish Federation's Young Adult Division (YAD) celebrated Christmas Eve in style this year at the Place2Be party. Young adult groups around the country hosted events for Jews on the eve of the most celebrated holiday of the year. San Diego was no exception. Jews from near and far were invited to come party the night away - after eating Chinese food of course! This year’s event was bigger than ever before- 331 attendees packing into the 207 Club at the Hardrock Hotel in Downtown San Diego. Carly Simms is an active member of the YAD Board and sits on the social committee. She said the highlights of the night included, “the photo booth was really fun and the food was good too!” Carly met her boyfriend Elwin at the Place2Be party last year and they just celebrated their one year anniversary! Mazel Tov to Carly and Elwin.

Jennifer Ahdoot commented, “Thanks for a great event! Looking forward to more of them in the future.” Mark your Calendars now for Place2Be 2013 on December 24, 2013!

Check out some great pictures here.

Hope Village: Chesed Home Open House!

San Diego Jewish Academy to Host Open House

Federation Launches Newtown Community Support Fund

The Jewish Federation of San Diego County, in coordination with the Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut, has launched a fund to provide comfort to those affected by last week's tragedy in Sandy Hook.  We're proud to say that 100% your tax deductible donation will be distributed to support counseling services and to the clergy who are working with the affected families and individuals. 

The Jewish Federation of San Diego County extends our prayers and support to all of the families affected by the devastating events in Newtown, Connecticut. We are committed to providing support after this unspeakable tragedy. May we all continue with prayers for strength and healing for all who are suffering. 

You can make a difference:

Federation Hosts More than 800 Mensches at "Magic" Men's Event

The Jewish Federation of San Diego County welcomed Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and more than 800 Jewish San Diegan men to the 16th Annual Men’s Event the Del Mar Fairgrounds. For the first time in history, this year’s Men’s Event was free, due to the generous underwriting of the Mizel Family Foundation. Magic electrified the crowd with his message on philanthropy, family, and the importance of community. The event was made possible by co-chairs Ronnie Diamond, Ira Feinswog, Todd Kirschen and Alan Viterbi.

Take a look at some great event photos HERE.

Read the Rancho Santa Fe coverage HERE.

Federation was elated to welcome more than 400 of the men to their first Men's Event, introduce them to Federation and share how Federation is our vehicle to care for others in our community. 

This year, Men’s Event kicked off an initiative seeking to support a stronger Jewish community by volunteering. Federation is now offering more than 25 volunteering opportunities – CLICK HERE for more!

Mayor Filner Lights the Menorah with JCRC

Federation's Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) was recently invited to Chabad Hanukkah Celebration in Scripps Ranch where Mayor Filner joined Rabbi Fradkin to light the Menorah. Mayor Filner spoke to the students about miracles and the importance of being a caring community. The students sang beautifully and captured the spirit of the holiday with their Hanukkah songs. Congratulations on a great event!