A Sweet Night of Women, Wine & Chocolate

On Tuesday, February 24, Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy gathered to schmooze with other like-minded women, sample wine pairings, and nosh on cheese and chocolate. More than 60 Jewish women from all throughout San Diego came together at Carruth Cellars in Solana Beach for a Federation event that was unlike any other.

“The laid-back, casual, and relaxed ambiance along with the shabby-chic décor was a perfect setting that made for a magnificent social, educational, and philanthropic gathering, which was a great success,” said Kara Liederman, General Campaign Development Manager at Federation.

The evening kicked off with a few opening words from event co-chairs, Laura Vainer and Samantha Cohen, who unveiled Women’s Philanthropy new initiative — Shalom San Diego - which will be spearheaded by Women’s Philanthropy. The new initiative aims to transform San Diego into one of the most welcoming, all-inclusive, caring, connected, and vibrant, Jewish communities in the nation. After introducing the new focus of Women’s Philanthropy, a thank you was extended to all parties who helped to make the event possible, including: Leigh Johnson, Lisa Kornfeld, Laura Tauber, Theresa Dupuis, and Federation staff.

After introductory remarks were made, Rabbi Yael Ridberg gave a short speech and discussed the story of Esther and reflected on the upcoming Jewish holiday – Purim. In her speech, Rabbi emphasized the importance of divinity within and all around us as well as the importance of always striving to be divine women. Rabbi also talked about an obligation, as Jewish women, to reach out to people who don’t necessarily view themselves as a part of the Jewish community due to actual and perceived barriers, such as interfaith marriages/relationships and sexual identity (i.e. being a member of the LGBTQ community), and how we ought to welcome, connect, and include everyone in our Jewish community. Rabbi restated that Women’s Philanthropy is and will be “natural leaders of Shalom San Diego.”

The final highlight of the evening came from Michael Sonduck, President and CEO of Federation, in his concluding speech. He addressed the dire and devastating crisis in Ukraine, describing the thousands of vulnerable Jewish citizens without access to food, water, shelter, medicine, and basic necessities. Michael reiterated Federation’s mission – to broaden and deepen engagement in Jewish life, to strengthen Jewish identity, foster dynamic connections with Israel, and to care for all Jews in need around the world. Michael called upon all the women to take immediate action by reaching out to help care for our Jewish brothers and sisters in Ukraine.

“Women, Wine, and Chocolate was a great success, an incredible gathering, and a genuinely heartfelt, lovely evening,” said Lisa Kalal, Federation’s new Director of Women’s Philanthropy. “My team and I look forward to delivering more intimate, inviting, and engaging fundraising events, just like tonight throughout the remainder of year.”

Click here to view photos from the event.

MK Yuli Edelstien | Offers Unique Perspective on Aliyah

In the wake of rising worldwide anti-Semitism and in light of the recent blatant, horrific, and atrocious attacks that were carried out on Jewish communities in France and Denmark, the subject of aliyah has become an extremely pressing matter, current topic of conversation, and a serious reality that thousands of Jewish families are grappling with in Europe, in Israel, and around the world.

Following the attacks on Jewish communities in Europe, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, voiced encouragement for all Jews, especially those who feel unsafe in their communities, to make aliyah. Netanyahu’s call for aliyah promises that all Jews will be welcomed with open arms, guarantees much-deserved protection, and invites all Jews to come home to Israel. As it goes when it comes to politics – especially delicate, multifaceted, and complex policies such as those of the Middle East – Netanyahu’s message elicited a very mixed global response, receiving both praise and criticism.

However, an alternate message regarding aliyah was suggested by MK Yuli Edelstein, Israel’s Speaker of the Kenesset, during an exclusive interview with one of Federation’s main partners – the Jewish Agency for Israel. In the interview, Edelstein spoke of the importance of developing a Jewish identity as well as the importance of forming of a personal bond with the state of Israel prior to aliyah, which he believes will help Jews who are considering aliyah make an informed decision.

“We have to maintain the line that the Jewish Agency has taken: strengthening Jewish identity and the bond with Israel. That does not mean we should neglect aliyah – quite the opposite: you develop Jewish identity and the bond with Israel in order to help people make a decision that is very personal for them and right for us, as residents of the state of Israel. The decision to make aliyah should not be made because of terror attacks or fear, but out of a sense of conviction, Jewish identity and a bond with Israel,” said MK Yuli Edelstein.

Click here to read the full article about Edelstein’s alternate perspective, novel concept, and his fascinating life story.

Federation Remembers Zimna Birhani Z"l

In the winter of 2013, several members of our San Diego Jewish community went on an American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) humanitarian mission to Ethiopia. The aim of the mission was to provide clean water and to build schools for four remote villages in the Gondar Region. The mission also provided scholarships for eight Ethiopian women to attend nursing school to become mid-wives so that they could eventually return to their home villages to provide much needed medical assistance. The members of the San Diego delegation were: Ashley Stone, Gloria Stone, Laurayne Ratner, Laura Galinson, Charlene Seidle, Karen Paterson, and Jane Fantel accompanied by two teenagers – Hannah Fantel-Galinson and Zakai Stone.

Members of the San Diego delegation had the honor of interacting with a remarkable man, the late Zimna Birhani z”l. Zimna was the group’s tour guide for the first few days of their mission. On the tour, Zimna passionately retold his personal story about the exodus of thousands of Ethiopian Jews to the land of Israel.

Between 1955 and 1965, approximately 27 Jewish Ethiopian teenagers, known as the “Kfar Batya” group, were brought to Israel where they were trained by the Jewish Agency of Israel (JAFI) to become emissaries for Israel. Once group members were trained, they returned to their villages as highly qualified and skilled teachers. One of these amazing teens was Zimna Birhani.

Zimna’s name isn’t well known, but in 1955, at the young age of 13, Israel’s Secret Service brought him to Israel. At the age of 18, he returned to Ethiopia and worked to help organize, educate, and guide Ethiopian Jews to safety in Israel. He played significant roles in Operation Moses and Operation Solomon and was also the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Ethiopian emissary for several years. In more ways than one, Zimna served as and represented the voice of Ethiopian Jewry to Israel.

Zimna was recently honored in Israel for his service to the Jewish people. He was recognized for his unrelenting courage, selflessness, daring nature, and veracity. Heads of Israeli organizations came to pay tribute to Zimna for his heroic and boundless deeds. Sadly, Zimna passed away from cancer on February 21st.

In his remembrance we reflect on the countless Ethiopian lives that he saved while working to secure their safe arrival to Eretz Israel.

May his memory be a blessing.

Hillel Presents Dr. Stein | Israel, ISIS, Iran & U.S. Policy | March 8

CLICK HERE to register for this FREE EVENT. 

NextGen Purim Party | March 7

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

JFS | Heart and Soul Gala 2015 | March 28

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets

We Stand With Copenhagen

The Jewish Federations of North America are shocked and grieved following yesterday’s attacks on the Krystalgade Synagogue and the cultural center in Copenhagen that has left at least two people dead - including Dan Uzan, a Jewish volunteer security guard - and others injured.

Michael Siegal, chair of JFNA’s Board of Trustees stated, “We are once again horrified by these violent attacks against Jews and Jewish institutions as well as those meeting peacefully to discuss the value of freedom of speech. The disturbing recent pattern of Jews being murdered in Europe, simply because they are Jews, must be condemned by people and governments across the world. We send our deepest condolences to the families of Dan Uzan and the other victims, and wish a speedy recovery to those injured, including numerous police officers.

“The Jewish community of North America stands shoulder to shoulder in firm solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Denmark – and indeed with all of the Danish people at this very difficult time.”

Paul Goldenberg, director of the Secure Community Network (SCN), will travel to Copenhagen this week to support the community in addressing security issues. SCN, the national homeland security initiative of The Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, has regularly consulted with Jewish organizations in the United States and around the world on security-related matters and in the wake of terrorist attacks such as the ones perpetrated in Denmark in recent hours.

As we mourn with the Danish Jewish community, JFNA leadership will continue to confer with government agencies and officials on matters of Jewish communal safety, and update Jewish community leaders as necessary.

Click here to read the letter that was sent to communal leadership in Denmark.