Giving Stories

Advocating for Africa
	Members of the San Diego Jewish community were horrified to know that millions of Sudanese people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance as a result of the violence, hunger and disease that have swept their country. Donors were eager to recommend grants to American Jewish World Service and to other groups to support advocacy, education and public awareness campaigns.


Agency for Jewish Education’s Fund for the March of the Living
	The Agency for Jewish Education’s fund for the March of the Living (MOL) is an international educational program that brings Jewish teens from all over the world to Poland on Holocaust Memorial Day to march from Auschwitz to Birkenau, and then to Israel to observe Israel Independence Day. The two-week experience — along with a year-long course of study and preparations — teaches profound lessons in Jewish history, personal Jewish identity and has a powerful life-changing impact on its participants.


Tina Beranbaum and Mitch Shack Awarded Matching Grant to Bike for Israel
	Tina Beranbaum and Mitch Shack became quickly involved in the community this year after moving to San Diego from Canada. One of their first activities was establishing the Beranbaum/Shack Fund. Mitch also rode in the 2009 Bike for Israel sponsored by the United Jewish Federation of San Diego County. The ride supported the Sha’ar HaNegev Educational Complex and Community Center located in San Diego’s partnership region in Israel, and Mitch and Tina awarded their matching grant for this important project.


Barry and Marlene Berelowitz Support Students in Tel Aviv
	Barry and Marlene Berelowitz recommended a grant from the Berelowitz Family Fund to establish the ORT Berelowitz College and the ORT Berelowitz Vocational Center which included substantial renovations at the ORT Yad Shapira School in South Tel Aviv. Both the vocational school and college provide technical training to students, especially those from low income families across the Tel Aviv region. A plaque at the site records that the grant honors the many contributions to Israel by South African Jewry. The project was carried out in cooperation with the Tel Aviv Foundation. An additional grant from the Fund will provide additional lessons and supervision after normal school hours for certain students over the next three years.


Collaborating with Beth El for a New Sanctuary
	Six years ago, the leadership of Congregation Beth El approached the Foundation to hold capital and endowment funds that this vibrant and growing congregation would use to build a new synagogue and campus. The Beth El Endowment Foundation, a supporting organization of the Jewish Community Foundation, was established. While Congregation Beth El will hold services in the new sanctuary in spring 2008, the Beth El Endowment Foundation will continue in perpetuity, providing annual support to fund synagogue operations. Ryan Stone, vice president long-range planning, and Gary Ravet, synagogue president, consult with Rabbi Philip Graubart on sanctuary construction.


A Family Tradition of Philanthropy
	Many parents seek ways to engage their children of all ages in giving. To accomplish this goal, Richard and Sharon Bockoff designated certain funds within their donor advised fund for their three adult daughters to distribute. “The Foundation’s online giving system makes it easy,” said Richard. “Although our daughters live in Michigan and Georgia and we’re in San Diego, we can work together as one family on philanthropy.”


Sophie Brody’s Legacy Continues
	Sophie Brody, of blessed memory, lived her life by the principle of tzedakah or justice. Whether raising funds for Israel in the 1950s, helping immigrants adjust to life in the United States, or advocating for the development of female leaders in Jewish San Diego, Sophie always actively addressed community needs. Sophie believed strongly in developing female Jewish leaders in San Diego.The Sophie Brody Lion of Judah Endowment Fund provides significant annual support to the Women’s Division of the United Jewish Federation of San Diego. During her life, she and her husband, Arthur, set up two other endowment funds that provide grants to the Women’s Division for special leadership development programs. Sophie, center, is pictured with Women’s Division leaders, Marsha Berkson and Tammy Moch.
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Connecting Youth to Judaism Through Camping
	The Foundation has partnered with Camp Mountain Chai since the very beginning, holding funds for the organization when it was just a vision. Today, Camp Mountain Chai is the realization of the dreams of a small group of dedicated community leaders. It is San Diego’s only nondenominational Jewish residential camp and conference center. This year, grants from several endowment funds and donor advised funds at the Foundation enabled young people from unaffiliated families—and who could not have otherwise afforded it—to attend camp. The Foundation also helped sponsor a weekend retreat for single parents and their children at Camp Mountain Chai. More than 70 family members forged many new connections and friendships.


Caring for the Elderly
	Through the Chai South Africa Fund, the Foundation has awarded millions of dollars to support the aging Jewish communities in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Funds provided to 13 nursing homes and homes for the developmentally disabled are changing the lives of thousands of residents, enabling those who need it most to live their remaining years in dignity and comfort.


*Diller Teen Tikkun* Olam Awards**
	Community Youth Foundation alumna Amanda Haworth, far right, was one of five extraordinary California teens to win a 2007 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award for community service. Amanda’s vision and execution of her plan to bring Holocaust education to life in the curriculum of her public high school won her this acclaim. Justin Sachs, second from left, of Carlsbad, also won a Diller Award for establishing a foundation that trains young Jewish leaders. Helen Diller, center, and her family endowed the awards at The Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco.
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Foundation Donors’ Support to Low-Income Preschool Allows for Expansion
	More and more research supports the assertion that the first years of a child’s life are the most crucial to brain development and future success. Responding to the need to provide quality preschool education to families of all means, grants from the Jeff and Deni Jacobs Fund, Susan Chortek Weisman and Eric Weisman Fund and Leichtag Family Foundation to Educational Enrichment Systems’ (EES) Ensuring the Future Campaign allowed the low-income preschool provider to serve hundreds more families at new facilities in Linda Vista and North County. Through the Ensuring the Future Campaign, chaired by Deni Jacobs, EES will be able to fulfill its vision and plans for increasing the number of early childhood education spaces available to the young children of San Diego County. Also, a grant from the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Fund offers tuition subsidies for families who earn just a little more than the state-designated poverty level.


Emily Eibl Encouraged Charity in Lieu of Bat Mitzvah Gifts
	Emily Eibl established a fund in honor of her bat mitzvah in January 2007. Her friends and family contributed to the fund to honor her achievement. Emily manages her fund and can recommend her grants online, contributing to organizations and causes that are meaningful to her, at the time that is most convenient. “I have grown up learning the importance of giving tzedakah. So, when I prepared to become a bat mitzvah, I decided to establish a fund at the JCF in lieu of gifts to enable me to make grants to organizations in both the Jewish and general communities.” On a site visit to the New Children’s Museum of San Diego, Emily took part in a museum exhibit.


Youth Philanthropy Alumnus Max Einhorn Named a Recipient of the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award
	Youth Philanthropy alumnus Max Einhorn recently received the prestigious Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award for community service. The award recognizes Max’s efforts in conceiving, developing and spearheading The Entrepreneurs Club, an initiative at La Jolla High School to actively prepare for disasters in collaboration with the business community. Max formulated the idea after witnessing firsthand the devastating impact of the 2007 Wildfires when he volunteered at 2-1-1 San Diego information line. Max is also a founding member of the Hand Up Youth Food Pantry at Jewish Family Service of San Diego. The award included a $36,000 cash prize that Max immediately added to his donor advised fund.


Naomi R. and Al Eisman's Generosity Knows No Bounds
	Naomi R. Eisman’s benevolence is grounded in her memory of being a single mother in Los Angeles many years ago. Today, her generosity knows no bounds. Naomi and her husband, Al Eisman established a fund at the Foundation to improve lives through philanthropy. Over the last year, Naomi has worked with Associate Director Charlene Seidle to define the couple’s charitable passions and goals. After identifying Jewish continuity, education and Israel as key interest areas, Naomi and Al have made an enormous difference. Through their Donor Advised Fund at the Foundation, Naomi and Al have supported scores of organizations in the Jewish and general community. They’ve funded cultural outreach and preschool programs at the Lawrence Family JCC and supported a scholarship at the Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School. They helped create a First Aid Station in Sderot, Israel, for Magen David Adom, funded programs for Ethiopians and single mothers in Israel through the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, and supported the Supporting Jewish Single Parents Program at Jewish Family Service, which was established by the Jewish Women’s Foundation. Naomi and Al are also passionate about programs serving women and children. Among many other programs, they’ve funded a school for girls in Nigeria as well as microfinance programs in that country. The Al and Naomi Eisman Fund also has provided assistance to students at the Monarch School for homeless and at-risk youth in San Diego. “Monarch was around the corner from us for 20 years. Yet until the Foundation connected us, I didn’t realize this community treasure existed,” noted Naomi. “This is just one example of how the Foundation is positioned to impact and inspire philanthropy,” said Seidle. “It’s truly a personal privilege and blessing to work with donors like Naomi and Al Eisman!”



The Engel Family’s Vision to Help the Disabled
	Foundation Fund Advisors Suzie and Dan Engel’s vision has enabled children with developmental and physical disabilities to find joy and confidence in the challenges and triumphs of baseball. In 2005, a grant from the Daniel and Suzanne Engel Fund established the Miracle League of San Diego. Six baseball seasons later, hundreds of young people play in weekly games at Engel Family Field in San Dieguito Park which has been specially outfitted by the Miracle League to accommodate wheelchairs and assisted-walking devices. Each Miracle League team member is assigned a volunteer buddy who can help hit the ball or navigate the bases. Giving is a family tradition for the Engels. Suzie’s parents Harriet and Sidney Schuman and siblings, Holly and Bruce Schuman and Jennifer Schuman and John MacDougall, all have funds at the Foundation which have granted to Miracle League.

A Grant From the Fisher Family to Support Holocaust Survivors
	Nettie Fisher and her daughters Sandra and Judith Fisher, who both live in Israel, advised a grant from the Manuel and Nettie Fisher Family Fund to the Israeli organization Amcha. Amcha provides social opportunities, food and psychological services to hundreds of Holocaust survivors in Israel—some of whom have nowhere else to turn. As survivors age, many face the trauma of the past for the first time. Amcha offers critical support.


Tom and Judy Fisher Model Hands-On Leadership and Philanthropy for Their Children
	Tom and Judy Fisher inherited from their parents a legacy of loving kindness that now forms the foundation for their giving. They in turn are passing on these values to their own three children—through contributions of time as well as money. Tom and Judy established the Fisher Children Fund at the Foundation to teach their children the importance of giving back to their community. Last year, Judy co-chaired the San Diego Walk for Darfur, calling attention to the plight of those desperately in need in Sudan. The Foundation partnered with Judy in ensuring the Walk’s success by holding the Walk’s charitable funds and granting them to the International Medical Corps efforts in Darfur.


Susanna and Michael Flaster Model Philanthropy for Andrea and Matthew Valji
	Susanna and Michael Flaster have modeled giving and community involvement for Susanna’s children, Andrea and Matthew Valji, since they were in grade school. As the children grew older, the Flasters created opportunities for them to actively engage in the joys of philanthropy. When Matthew was in high school, he participated in the Foundation’s first Youth Philanthropy program, moving on to become an alumni leader. Continuing the tradition of dor l’dor, Susanna established discretionary funds for Matthew and Andrea within the Flaster Valji Fund. Each year, Matthew and Andrea receive funds to grant – half to Jewish causes and half to general causes. Andrea and Matthew have funded their alma mater, La Jolla High School, Darfur relief, Jewish Women International, the New Israel Fund and micro-finance programs.


Alan Friedman Makes a Difference with his Matching Grant
	As the Executive Director of Camp Mountain Chai, Alan Friedman knew exactly where he could best make a difference with his matching grant. When Alan established a Fund, his match was directed to the camp for scholarships for families in need. “I’m happy to support Camp Mountain Chai and other favorite organizations through a donor advised fund,” said Alan. “It’s important that we come together as a community to reach out to those who want to be involved. Camp is an important outreach component.”


Stanley Gelfand Memorial Fund Honors Beloved Kosher Caterer
	The Stanley Gelfand Memorial Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation is an example of a fund established to honor the memory of a loved relative or friend. Stanley’s daughters, Randi Pollack and Robin Siegelman, established the fund as a tribute to their father and many friends and relatives contributed in Stanley’s memory. Stanley Gelfand was a longtime resident of San Diego who brought great joy to the lives of many. He was well-known for his culinary contributions to celebrations, particularly those as a popular kosher caterer and as the owner of Blumer’s Bakery. Randi and Robin and their mother Marcia identified camp scholarships and food programs as areas of charitable interest, and Marissa Garfield, the Foundation’s grants and donor services manager, will help guide their giving by suggesting programs and organizations. When the family grants funds to the community from the Stanley Gelfand Memorial Fund, it will ensure that Stanley’s name lives on in perpetuity.
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Jeff Glazer and Lisa Braun Glazer Encourage Their Daughters’ Giving
	Jeff Glazer and Lisa Braun Glazer established funds for their daughters while they were still in high school. In the few years since then, Julia and Anna’s grants have supported breast cancer research, sports activities at their alma maters, and programs for children at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS. Jeff and Lisa encourage their daughters’ autonomy in philanthropic decision- making. The Foundation’s online giving system, Donor Central, enables Julia and Anna to recommend grants from graduate school and college.


Mo and Phyllis Gold Fund Sponsored Rabbi Tokayer’s Visit to Congregation Beth El
	Visit Mo and Phyllis Gold, and you’ll see pictures of them in China, India, Japan and other Asian countries. Look a little closer and you may see a Torah scroll in any of these unexpected places. Mo, center, and Phyllis, right, have visited Jewish communities throughout Asia with Rabbi Marvin Tokayer, left. Recently, a grant from the Morris and Phyllis Gold Fund sponsored a scholar-in-residence weekend at Congregation Beth El that featured Rabbi Tokayer. The Rabbi kept his audience spellbound with tales of his travels in Jewish Asia and his experience as rabbi for the Jewish community of Japan – locating a long-lost cemetery in Nagasaki, discovering the last of the Chinese Jews, and acting as a bridge for many travelers between East and West.

Frances Gotkowitz Endowment Honors an Acute Mind and Generous Spirit

Frances Gotkowitz changed the course of many lives during her 45 years. Frances died in September 2003, but her dedication to improving the lives of young people endures through the Frances Gotkowitz Endowment for Youth Philanthropy, recently established in her honor by her mother, Helen Gotkowitz.

“This wonderful gift is so meaningful because of Frances’ strong connection with youth and her commitment to giving,” said Marjory Kaplan, CEO. “Frances’ experience in education set the course for the JCF’s Youth Philanthropy program.”

Ten years ago, Frances worked with Foundation staff to evaluate the first ever Community Youth Foundation. Frances conducted interviews with teen participants to assess the program’s impact. Since then, more than 220 teens have participated in the Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy programs.

A talented and creative teacher, Frances tutored B’nai Mitzvah and other students in Hebrew, taking a special interest in students with learning disabilities. She imbued confidence and self-assurance through her affirming teaching methods.

In her later years, Frances revived long-deferred plans to enter graduate school. In 2001, she was awarded a San Diego Fellowship to join UCSD’s Ph.D. program in Comparative Literature. She was deeply engaged in her studies, and had the unique ability to make every experience, positive or otherwise, a learning experience for others. May her memory be a blessing.

Helping Rape Victims in Jerusalem

A grant to Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem from the Galinson Advised Fund will provide funding for a rape crisis center run by Dr. Sagit Arbel-Alon, an oncologist and OB/GYN who provides a voice to those who must be silent.

“Before our Center was established, women in Jerusalem had to travel to Tel Aviv for treatment,” said Dr. Arbel-Alon. “Imagine how the trauma was compounded. Many from communities where rape is a stigma and therefore the victim did not seek services.”

The Center provides one location for victims to receive a wide range of treatments instead of having to visit several
different places, including a hospital, police station and social services, immediately after being attacked.

Rescue and Relief Amid Crisis in Haiti

The devastating earthquakes in Haiti and Chile left thousands of people without adequate food, shelter, healthcare and basic infrastructure. Schools, hospitals and thousands of homes were destroyed; many lost loved ones and all of
their belongings.

Alerted to giving opportunities through the Foundation’s online system, nearly 180 donors quickly stepped up to recommend more than $200,000 in grants to provide immediate assistance to victims in Haiti and Chile in the weeks following the tragic events.

Hillel Offers Alternative Spring Break

Spring break has moved beyond the beach, thanks to a special program of Hillel of San Diego funded by the Chortek Family Foundation. In three years, more than 100 students have taken part in alternative breaks in El Salvador, Honduras, Uruguay and Brazil. Students participate in community service activities, often with Hillel students from the local country or community residents. Students from the University of California, San Diego, San Diego State University, University of San Diego and local community colleges have participated.

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Hineni Network of Community Gardens Restores Traditional Roles for Israeli Ethiopians

Two years ago, a group of Israeli Ethiopians in their 20s convened to address a significant need in their community: the displacement of older men from their traditional patriarchal roles. This has led to domestic abuse issues in the community and a sense of frustration among the men.

Building on Ethiopia’s agricultural society, the social entrepreneurs developed Hineni, a network of 15 community gardens throughout the country managed with pride by the elders. Says one man in his 80s who now spends each day at the garden: “This has given me purpose and a sense of accomplishment. And I see my doctor much less frequently too!”. Hineni is just one program supported by the Jewish Federation of San Diego’s annual campaign.

Interfaith Community Services Supports Veterans Returning from Iraq and Afghanistan

Men and women returning from war in Iraq and Afghanistan receive the supportive services they need to succeed at Interfaith Community Service’s veterans housing complex in Oceanside. A consortium of Foundation donors enabled a challenge grant which will allow ICS to pay down the mortgage, providing the resources to offer ongoing services.

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Symphony at Salk Unites Jacobs' Favorite Causes

Grants from the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Fund secure the future for two of the Jacobs’ favorite causes, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the San Diego Symphony. As Irwin assumed the chairmanship of the Salk Institute’s board this year, the Jacobs created a challenge grant opportunity to support the creation of 10 Senior Scientist Endowed Chairs at Salk. The Jacobs also are committed to supporting the Symphony with one of the most generous endowments in the history of symphony orchestras, through the San Diego Symphony Foundation. The Foundation is proud and honored to hold nearly half of the San Diego Symphony Foundation’s assets.

At left, the Jacobs celebrated at Symphony at Salk, a premier cultural event in San Diego that benefits scientific research.

Fanya Jackson Remebered for Her Generosity

Fanya Jackson’s spitfire personality belied her small build. A longtime San Diegan, she and her husband, Samuel Jackson, greeted customers each day at their store on Fourth Avenue, “S & F Antiques”. Fanya recently passed away at the age of 100. Her passion for the community and dedication to improving the lives of those in need has been perpetuated through her legacy to the Jewish Community Foundation and Vista Hill Foundation. May her memory be a blessing.

Targeted Grants to Food Programs

Thanks to grants from several Foundation donors, elementary school children are receiving food for the weekend through the San Diego Food Bank’s innovative Food 4 Kids Backpack Program. The program originated at schools where most students qualify for free or reduced lunches. Teachers observed that some children arrived hungry on Monday morning, and their performance and ability to concentrate suffered. Food packets are given to students each Friday in backpacks to preserve the students’ dignity. A variety of foods are included, enough to share with family members.

Grants have also been awarded to Jewish Family Service’s Hand Up Youth Food Pantry, which has experienced a quadrupling of need for food compared to last year and Interfaith Community Services, which provides food to veterans, seniors and others.

John and Kate Kassar Enjoy the Simplicity of Granting Through the Foundation

As a former professional at Jewish Family Service (JFS), Kate Haimsohn Kassar knows firsthand the struggles of JFS clients. “Victims of domestic violence, single mothers, Holocaust survivors living on fixed incomes – JFS serves the most vulnerable of our society,” said Kate.

Now busy raising her two young children with husband John, a partner at a local insurance firm, Kate continues her community involvement by recommending grants to JFS and other organizations from the Kate and John Kassar Family Fund.

“The Fund helps us keep all our charitable giving organized and makes it really easy,” noted Kate. “That’s very important to us at this stage in our lives.”

Major Gift Establishes Miriam and Jerome Katzin Presidential Chair

Respected community philanthropists Miriam and Jerome Katzin have established an endowment fund to support the position of president and chief executive officer at the Foundation—the first endowed chair in the San Diego Jewish community. Marjory Kaplan will now hold the additional title of Miriam and Jerome Katzin Presidential Chair. We are deeply grateful to the Katzins for their vision and inspiring leadership.

Jerome and Miriam Katzin

Honored in 2007 as Philanthropists of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Jerome and Miriam Katzin have expressed a deep sense of community responsibility and commitment through their giving. Jerome is a past president of the Jewish Community Foundation where he continues to be a trusted advisor.

This year, a special grant from the Jerome and Miriam Katzin Fund provided the lead gift to build the Seacrest Village Retirement Communities Katzin Residence for those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Many Katzin family members cut the ribbon with Miriam Katzin, third from left, and Jerome Katzin, third from right.

Lambert/Tuttleman Fund Enabled Guests to Honor the Wedding Couple Through Philanthropy
	Jan Tuttleman and Craig Lambert wanted to combine their wedding celebration with an opportunity to improve the world. They established the Lambert/ Tuttleman Fund and encouraged their guests to make contributions to the Fund in lieu of gifts. The Foundation kept them updated about donations and acknowledged each contribution. Now, Jan and Craig have the flexibility to recommend grants from the Lambert/Tuttleman Fund to the organizations and causes that are most important to them, on their timetable.


The Lantzman Family Provides Scholarships for Homeless Youth
	A scholarship can change the course of a young person’s life, providing a path to success and achievement through education. More and more Foundation funders are using scholarship support as a tool to achieve directed and long-lasting impact. A grant from the Lantzman Family Scholarship Fund recommended by Elsa and Marc Lantzman and Phina and Justin Lantzman supported scholarships for four graduating students at the Monarch School in downtown San Diego, an innovative school that educates homeless youth. All student recipients will be first generation college graduates.


Lawrence Family JCC’s Inclusion Program Creates Opportunities for Many Challenged Youth to Learn and Play
	In 1994, a bequest to the Foundation for the benefit of children with physical and developmental disabilities established the Lawrence Family JCC’s Inclusion Program. Almost two decades later, the program has created opportunities for hundreds of challenged young people to learn and play alongside their typically developing peers.


Advocacy and Education Through Film
	When Peter and Linda Levine recently established a fund at the Foundation, their first grant was directed to the award-winning San Diego Jewish Film Festival of the Center for Jewish Culture of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS. They joined scores of other Foundation donors who support the Festival’s cultural offerings and enriching experiences for all. “Film is a terrific way for people of different backgrounds and ages to come together and be moved and inspired,” noted Linda. “It’s a powerful educational tool as well.”


Leichtag Family Foundation Grant Underwrites Student Holocaust Education Project
	Grants from the Leichtag Family Foundation and other generous donors enabled award-winning Carlsbad High School Television (CHSTV) students to embark on a project positioned to revolutionize Holocaust education in middle and high schools. A student-produced documentary, We Must Remember, and accompanying middle-school curriculum, will focus on firsthand accounts from Holocaust survivors and American WWII veterans who liberated Dachau. Doug Green, the teacher and advisor for CHSTV, is a former 8th grade English teacher who taught about Anne Frank for 10 years. He was named Teacher of the Year for Carlsbad Unified School District. Lisa Posard, president of the board of Carlsbad Educational Foundation, served as the executive producer of the We Must Remember project as a volunteer. CHSTV students, who are from all backgrounds, religions and cultures, traveled to Dachau and Auschwitz to film parts of the documentary on site. The resulting powerful documentary film connects the last generation of living Holocaust survivors with the youngest generation alive today.


Norm Levi: Improving the Lives of Young People
	A native San Diegan and a 1938 graduate of San Diego High School, Norm Levi, of blessed memory, was passionate about creating opportunities and improving lives. Norm set up six scholarships at his alma mater to enable students to attend community colleges and universities to achieve their dreams through education. All the scholarship recipients have been the first in their families to attend college and the first to graduate from high school. Many came to this country as immigrants with parents who are struggling just to survive. The Levi scholarships break the cycle of poverty. Though Norm passed away in February 2007, his scholarships will continue to change lives for students at San Diego High School, pictured at left.
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Claudia and Richard Libenson Support Families at Rady Children’s Hospital
	On an average day, 175 children are admitted to Rady Children’s Hospital and Health Center – 30 percent in intensive care. The families of these critically ill children often have pressing needs and require assistance navigating the system and advocating. That’s where Richard and Claudia Libenson have come in. Grants to Rady Children’s from the Libensons’ donor advised fund provide resources and support to parents, siblings and other family members. The Libensons are similarly involved at Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation. Richard serves as a director of Costco Wholesale Corporation, and has engaged Costco in significant development efforts at Rady Children’s Hospital.


Bringing the JCC Maccabi Games to San Diego
	In August, the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS (JCC) will host the JCC Maccabi Games, a one-week, Olympic-style, multi-sport, athletic and cultural event that will be the largest Jewish community event in the history of San Diego. The JCC will welcome more than 1,500 Jewish athletes, their families and friends, more than 1,000 volunteers and 650 host families. Delegates from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Israel and Europe will test their skills in sporting events. The games deepen understanding and appreciation of Jewish values among teens by enriching their identity in an informal setting.

Marks Family Fund’s Grant To Chabad Hebrew Academy
	In the 2003 San Diego Cedar fire, the Chabad Hebrew Academy library went up in flames, destroying thousands of Judaic and general interest volumes. While the community rallied and replaced a large segment of the general interest library, a portion of the original Judaic books took longer to restore. A recent grant from the Marks Family Fund, advised by Ellen Marks, helped repurchase many Judaic books and some Judaic art. Chabad Hebrew Academy students enjoy the newly restored library books that were damages in the 2003 Cedar fires.
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Feeding Those in Need at Passover
	“Let all who are hungry come and eat.” These are the words recited each year by Passover celebrants. Putting this call into action, Joe and Sima Oppenheimer granted to Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger to raise awareness of hunger needs and provide food to those who cannot afford a balanced diet. In addition, several families gave to Hillel of San Diego which welcomes hundreds of students at eight campuses around the county for Seders and daily Passover meals.


Brian and Danielle Miller Focus on Programs for Children and Youth
	As the owners of a chain of toy stores, Brian and Danielle Miller focus their giving—not surprisingly—on programs for children and youth. Brian and Danielle are active with Kids Included Together (KIT), which evolved from the highly successful Inclusion for Children with Physical and Development Disabilities program at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS. KIT provides best-practices training for community-based youth organizations committed to including children with disabilities in their mainstream programs. In addition to granting to KIT through the Brian and Danielle Miller Fund, Brian serves as a dedicated KIT Board member.


Jessica Nudelstejer Memorial Foundation Will Give Laptops to Students in Need
	Jessica Nudelstejer indelibly touched the lives of those around her during her 13 years. She brought a smile with warmth and love to everyone she met, teaching others to laugh and to be brave. In her memory, Jessica’s parents, Julia and Abraham Nudelstejer, and her sister, Alexa, created the Jessica Nudelstejer Memorial Foundation. Each year, on Jessica’s birthday, the family will present laptop computers to young people who could not otherwise afford this essential educational tool. Jessica was a computer whiz with an aptitude far beyond her years. She understood that computers open the gateway for many paths in life. Through the Jessica Nudelstejer Memorial Foundation, Jessica’s legacy of caring will continue.
	2010 Update: Jessica Nudelstejer would have turned 15 years old in February. Instead, her family and friends gathered at Casillas Elementary in Chula Vista where she was a student, to honor the young woman who died of cancer 20 months before. To celebrate her birthday, Jessica’s sister Alexa presented laptop computers imprinted with Jessica’s smiling picture and name to two former foster children who are now attending college and two teenagers involved in Jewish Family Service of San Diego’s Jewish Big Pals Program. The laptops were funded through a grant from the Jessica Nudelstejer Memorial Fund held at the Foundation. “Jessica loved computers and she loved helping those in need,” said her parents Abraham and Julie. “On her birthday, we celebrate her life and her passions.”

Ocean Discovery Institute's Experiential Programs for Underprivileged Youth
	San Diego’s coastline becomes a classroom through the engaging programs of the Oceans Discovery Institute. The programs for the most underprivileged youth in our community offer experiential education, classroom and after school activities and open the door to a career in science and biotech. Foundation donors have supported the program since its inception a decade ago; it is now a national model with graduates proceeding to the finest institutes of higher education in the country.

Demand is High for On the Go Rides
	Already the On the Go older adult transportation program has provided almost 15,000 rides since its launch in September. Previously housebound seniors now enjoy safe, reliable and caring transportation to medical appointments, senior centers, grocery stores, synagogues and Jewish events. The economic downturn has created even more demand for On the Go as seniors living on fixed incomes are forced to make tough choices. On the Go is a program of Jewish Family Service and the Jewish Senior Services Council and was funded by a consortium of Foundation donors. Longtime Foundation leader and Chair of the Jewish Senior Services Council Betty Byrnes, at far right, greets an On the Go bus. This bus brings seniors to the University City Older Adult Center, which is operated by JFS and meets daily at Congregation Beth Israel. Left to right, beloved driver Jim Wilkins helps passengers Edna Cozen and Lily Bendelstein in for the day’s programming.


Tiana Pidgeon is the Youngest Holder of a Youth Donor Advised Fund
	Tiana established a youth donor advised fund in May 2008 and then participated in Tikkun Olam Camp to learn about the needs in the community so that she could make informed decisions when she granted money from her fund. “A fund at the Jewish Community Foundation was the best gift I've ever received because it introduced me to philanthropy and allows me to help people and make a difference in the world however I want to,” said Pidgeon. “I plan to donate my money to organizations that help fight poverty and educate children, as well as other various causes I've learned about over the summer through Tikkun Olam Camp. It's the greatest feeling knowing I've made a difference in people's lives." At the 2008 Camp Check Presentation Ceremony, Tiana presented a check to Scott Silverman from Second Chance, one of the organizations campers awarded grants to.



Playwright’s Project Opens Doors to Vulnerable People
	San Diego is home to a dynamic theater community. The Playwright’s Project builds on this reputation and opens new doors to people of all ages with a focus on the most vulnerable. Artists guide classes at local elementary and middle schools through the process of collaboratively writing and performing a play of their own creation. The Project also creates grassroots theatre from the lives of older individuals, pairing seniors, with a lifetime of stories to tell, with actor and writers eager for material to dramatize.

Howard Potash Promotes Independence for the Elderly and Physically Challenged
	Inspired by the example of family and friends, Howard Potash takes much satisfaction from his own legacy of giving. Grants from the Howard K. Potash Fund honor the memory of Howard’s parents, Solomon and Estelle, and reflect his own interest in promoting independence and quality of life for the elderly and physically challenged. Programs supported by the Fund include the On the Go older adult transportation program sponsored by the Jewish Senior Services Council, the Israel Disabled War Veterans Association, the Alzheimer’s Association and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.


The Price-Brody Initiateive in Jaffa Is Changing a Neighborhood
	The Price-Brodie Initiative in Jaffa, Israel, funded through the Jewish Community Foundation, concentrates its efforts in the poverty-stricken and mixed Arab Jewish neighborhood of Jaffa. The innovative program brings the resources of Tel Aviv University to Jaffa to improve the quality of education and health services, developing local community leadership, and providing food and other basic needs.


Emanuel and Shirley Ravet Focus on the Joys of Giving
	After moving from Detroit where they were actively involved more than two decades ago, Shirley and Emanuel Ravet quickly became active in the San Diego community as well. They now support a myriad of causes through their fund— locally, in Detroit, in Israel, and around the world. Working through the Foundation provides easy organization and administration for their giving so they can focus on the joys of strengthening the community.


The Stone Family Creates Project Outreach at Congregation Beth El
	Young families often struggle with the high cost of being Jewish. Many want to connect to the community yet are restricted from doing so by tough financial choices. Recognizing this need, the Stone Family Foundation worked with Congregation Beth El in La Jolla to establish Project Outreach, a groundbreaking synagogue recruitment and retention program. “We’ve been members of Congregation Beth El for many years,” said Gloria Stone, pictured front row, left. “In fact, Ryan just led an effort to build a beautiful new building for the synagogue. Yet we realized that unless we did something to bring in new families, Beth El could not become the vibrant center of Jewish life we knew it could be.” Beside Gloria is husband Rodney Stone. Behind is Ashley, daughter-in-law, and Ryan, son. To date, 70 new families have joined Congregation Beth El through Project Outreach including 115 children under the age of 12. By focusing its philanthropic vision, the Stone Family Foundation has truly made an impact.


Funding Programs for Jewish Women and Girls
	The Jewish Community Foundation’s Jewish Women’s Foundation recently awarded funding to the Agency for Jewish Education’s (AJE) innovative Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing program. The program addresses the specific issues of adolescent girls from a Jewish perspective, providing a safe and supportive atmosphere in which girls can articulate questions and concerns, connect to peer and adult mentors, and build Jewish identity.


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Commemorating the Children of the Holocaust with 1.5 Million Butterflies
	Foundation donors recommend grants to the San Diego Jewish Academy to support financial aid that enables students who cannot afford a quality Jewish education to experience one. Foundation donors also support special initiatives in music, visual arts and enrichment programs. Currently, the whole school community is working on a multi-year project—under the guidance of educator Jan Landau, back left, and parent Cheryl Price, back right—to create 1.5 million ceramic butterflies to commemorate the children lost in the holocaust.

Building the San Diego’s Symphony Endowment

Every city deserves a great symphony, and the San Diego Symphony is now taking its place among the finest. To secure the future of musical excellence in San Diego, Joan and Irwin Jacobs have established one of the most generous endowments in the history of symphony orchestras.

To safeguard and administer the endowment, the San Diego Symphony Foundation was established in 2002, and the Jewish Community Foundation is proud and honored to hold nearly half of its assets.

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Supporting San Diego’s Jewish Day Schools

A strong Jewish education is one of the greatest tools we have for ensuring the survival of Jewish values and traditions. Foundation donors support the five excellent Jewish day schools serving the students of San Diego:

Chabad Hebrew Academy

San Diego Jewish Academy

Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School

Southern California Yeshiva High School

Torah High School of San Diego

At Soille Hebrew Day, Headmaster and Rabbi Simcha Weiser, pictured above, sets the tone by reading to kindergartners.

Judy and Gene Siegel Funded a Fire Truck

Judy and Gene Siegel, third and fourth from left, have enjoyed a long, friendly relationship with Fire Captain Steve Salaz and the crew at Fire Station 17 in the City Heights neighborhood of San Diego. Responding to an appeal after the October fires, the Siegels funded a new fire truck for Fire Station 17, greatly improving the ability of emergency workers to respond quickly and effectively. The Siegels were recognized by Fire Chief Tracy Jarmin, third from right, and honored when the City of San Diego declared May 27, 2008, to be Eugene and Judy Siegel Day.

Active Volunteer Faith Stagg Relies on the Foundation’s Research

Faith Stagg combines hands-on volunteer work with philanthropy to imbue her giving with meaning and purpose. She volunteers once a week for Jewish Family Service’s Foodmobile and also gives her time to programs for at-risk youth at the YMCA. Faith works closely with Foundation staff to identify programs for both volunteer work and giving, leveraging her passion and commitment with the Foundation’s knowledge and resources.

Temple Solel Shows Exceptional Commitment to Building Endowments

Temple Solel, a North County congregation, was the first Endowment Leadership Institute (ELI) participant to complete its three-year goal, and the synagogue met this landmark six months ahead of schedule.

At left, ELI Committee Chair David Wax meets with Senior Rabbi David Frank, Executive Director Robin Rubin and Assistant Rabbi Jeff Brown.

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Turk Family Foundation
	Jerry and Carole Turk created the Turk Family Foundation to unite and solidify their commitments to family and community. Their leadership grants made possible the Turk Family Center for Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS), which opened in late 2006 and provides JFS the space and flexibility to provide life-saving and life-changing services to many. The Turks also have used their family foundation to award grants to fight anti-Semitism, to strengthen the State of Israel, to provide a safe haven for abused children and to fund other worthy causes. Jerry and Carole’s three children, Elizabeth, Brian and Matt, are active grant makers through individual funds within the family foundation.


Supporting Daycare for Our Frailest Seniors
	This year, the Foundation reconnected a 93-year-old man with the Jewish Family Service of San Diego’s senior center program he participated in 20 years ago. His donation supports daycare services for our frailest seniors. The Foundation doubled the impact of this grant by securing matching funds from the Jewish Funders Network, an international organization dedicated to advancing the quality and growth of philanthropy rooted in Jewish values.


Incentive Grants from Viterbi Family Foundation Address Israeli Brain Drain
	A grant from the Viterbi Family Foundation to the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, one of the world’s foremost scientific and medical research centers, addresses the Israeli “brain drain” where promising researchers are leaving the country to continue their studies, some never to return. The funding provides incentives for faculty teaching in the United States and Europe to return to Israel and for post doctoral and post graduate students to remain in Israel.


Sending Italian Teens to Visit Concentration Camps
	An annual grant from the Achille and Maria Viterbi Memorial Fund—established in memory of the parents of Andrew Viterbi—sends high school students from Andrew’s birthplace of Bergamo, Italy, on a life-changing trip to concentration camps in Poland and Germany. Andrew and his wife Erna join about 30 students and their teachers on this annual journey, which is the culmination of a three-year Holocaust curriculum.


Viterbi Family Foundation’s Grant to PJ Library
	A grant from the Viterbi Family Foundation provides a special gift to San Diego Jewish families with babies and toddlers. The PJ Library program delivers by mail each month a Jewish-themed book, a CD with Jewish music and a parenting resource. This cutting-edge literacy program was established by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation of Springfield, Mass. San Diego is one of several lucky communities in which the program has been replicated with nearly 500 families included to date. The PJ Library, initiated locally last summer, is a natural outgrowth of Shalom Baby, an initiative of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS, which is widely acknowledged to be one of the most effective outreach endeavors in the San Diego Jewish community. At left, toddler Zoe Levin reads the first book she received from the PJ Library program.


Youth Recommend Grants to the Community
	Estee Einhorn learns about community needs by probing the resources of the Foundation’s staff and by participating in community service programs such as the teen-run Hand Up Youth Food Pantry, a program of Jewish Family Service. Estee joins dozens of dynamic teenagers to pack bags of food for distribution to low-income and homeless individuals and families. The teens distribute food twice each week at Ohr Shalom Synagogue. Once a month they deliver food to active-duty military families at Camp Pendleton.
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Jewish Community Foundation - San Diego

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