Celebrating Legacy Giving in San Diego’s Jewish Community

More than 100 members of the Jewish community gathered on Sunday, August 17, for Jewish Community Foundation San Diego’s (JCF) 2025 Book of Life Signing Ceremony at the historic First Synagogue of San Diego in Heritage Park. The event honored individuals and families who have made planned gifts to help sustain Jewish life in San Diego for generations to come.

The Book of Life: Preserving Commitments to Support the Jewish Community for Future Generations

At the heart of the ceremony were 36 newly signed legacy statements, each one a personal expression of values, memory, and vision. These statements become part of JCF’s community-wide Book of Life, a living archive that reflects the tradition of l’dor v’dor, passing values, responsibility, and generosity from one generation to the next.

Through legacy giving, community members are helping ensure that Jewish organizations, programs, and services in San Diego continue to thrive well into the future.

Why Legacy Giving Matters

For many of the signers, the decision to create a legacy gift is deeply personal. Their statements reflected gratitude for those who came before them as well as a commitment to ensuring a vibrant Jewish future.

As Brenda & Wolf Bielas shared: “Through this commitment, we honor our ancestors, support our community today, and help provide opportunities for tomorrow’s leaders to thrive within Jewish life.”

That sense of continuity echoed throughout the ceremony. April & Mathew Fink reflected:
“Inspired by our parents’ example and their legacy of giving, we feel a deep responsibility to ensure a vibrant Jewish future.”

Their words capture a theme shared by many in attendance: legacy giving is not only about sustaining institutions, but also about passing forward the values that define Jewish community life.

Imparting Family Stories: A Meaningful Community Tradition

As donors shared the stories behind their commitments, the ceremony became more than a recognition event. It was a moment of collective reflection on mentors who modeled tzedakah, on family histories that shaped identity, and on the responsibility to help future generations flourish.

Held in a מקום (sacred place) rooted in San Diego’s Jewish history, the event underscored the enduring connection between memory, community, and possibility.

Michael Rabkin expressed this powerfully:
“I want my daughters to know that giving is not just about generosity. It’s about responsibility. It’s about choosing to invest in the kind of Jewish future we want to see.”

Special thanks to Rabbi Yael Ridberg for guiding the ceremony and to the San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir, whose music added warmth and resonance to the experience.

Add Your Story – Join JCF’s Create a Jewish Legacy Society

JCF is grateful to the individuals and families whose commitments help strengthen Jewish life across our region. Their legacy gifts, and the stories behind them, are building a stronger future for Jewish San Diego.

More than 1,400 individuals and families have already chosen to be part of JCF’s Create a Jewish Legacy Society. If you are inspired to make a lasting impact, we invite you to learn more about legacy giving and adding your story to the Book of Life at JCF San Diego here. 

Interested in signing the Book of Life?
Please contact Estela Mitrani, Director of Legacy Programs,
or call 858-279-2740.