The Jewish Federation of San Diego County
The Jewish Federation of San Diego County
Your Connection to the Jewish Community – At Home and Around the World.

Thousands of individuals and families in San Diego County turn to Federation as their connection to the Jewish community. Our donors join 155 Jewish Federations across North America to help secure a bright and lasting future for the Jewish people and provide humanitarian assistance to those in need in North America, Israel and 70 countries around the world. Federation translates Jewish values into action.

Federation is dedicated to building a vibrant and inclusive local Jewish community. It is where philanthropy, volunteerism and shared commitment come together to make a difference.

2010 Annual Campaign

Thank you for your crucial contribution to another successful campaign. This community's generosity and commitment have been instrumental in achieving our goal: providing for those in need at home, in Israel and around the world. We look forward to next year as we create a vibrant Jewish future together.


San Diego Teens Tour Israel on Federation Trip

A group of 23 young people from across San Diego County are in the second week of their trek across Israel as members of Federation’s Community Teen Trip. The group is being lead by Shoshi Bogoch who is the “shlicha,” or emissary, to Federation’s Israel & Overseas Center.
The annual trip, designed to connect young Jews to the Jewish State, has taken the teens across all of Israel. The itinerary included a stay in Sha’ar HaNegev, San Diego’s partner region, during which the young San Diegans performed community service.

According to Bogoch, “It is important to emphasize that Federation supports this program and sees the importance of sending each teen that has the desire to visit Israel… Many students at this age would not otherwise have the possibility to go.”

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Birthright Israel Celebrates 10 Years

On July 7, thousands of Taglit-Birthright participants converged on the Palmachim Air Force Base in Israel to celebrate the program’s 10-year anniversary. Birthright, a Federation partner, provides thousands of young adults with educational trips to Israel each year.
The event brought together IDF soldiers and Diaspora Jews from nine countries to celebrate the program’s 10-year anniversary and its affiliation with Israel’s armed forces.

The evening began with the entire crowd on their feet singing “Shalom Aleichem” in Hebrew. It was an emotional beginning to a night that reinforced the importance of the program. This summer 21,000 young Jews will visit the Jewish State in addition to 17,000 trip alumni permanently living there.
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San Diego Teens Learn Hebrew For Credit This Summer!
Registration is now open for summer classes in Hebrew! The classes will be offered by the Agency for Jewish Education, a Federation partner. The “Hebrew for Credit” program provides accredited foreign language instruction for young people in grades 8 - 12. Courses emphasize modern conversational Hebrew, reading, writing, and comprehension skills. All classes are recognized by the San Diego public school system.
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Federation Hosts Israel’s First Bedouin Diplomat

Ishmael Khaldi visited Federation on July 1 to speak about his unique upbringing and perspective of Israel’s diplomatic mission. Khaldi has served as deputy consul in San Francisco, and is the first Muslim to rise through the ranks of the nation’s Foreign Ministry. He is currently a policy advisor to Israel’s Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

In one of many fascinating moments, Khaldi spoke about the traditionally close relationship between the Bedouin and Israel (many Bedouin have served in the Israeli army). Khaldi’s own grandmother welcomed Jewish immigrants to Israel pre-independence. That fact was offered as explanation for his adoption of several Yiddish phrases.

Offering his view on the current state of Israel/Palestinian relations, he related the Arab proverb “don’t argue with the People of the Book (Jews and Christians), but (settle disputes) by the best means;” The “best means” meaning, in his view, peaceful negotiations.

This lecture was the first in a new Federation hosted series of seminars about Israel. Learn More


Federation Introduces New Board Chair, New Name and Logo

 Federation held its Annual Meeting, June 10, 2010, at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center in La Jolla. The event provided an opportunity to elect and install new officers as well as present the “Presidential” and “Pauline and Stanley Foster Young Leadership Awards.” It also served as an opportunity to recognize the 75-year Anniversary of the Federation and to share plans for the future including a new name and logo.
Jan Tuttleman, Board Chair and Steven J. Morris, CEO

The new name and logo was approved by the board and presented at the Annual Meeting. Planning for the official roll out will commence over the summer with the transition in place for the kickoff of the 2011 Annual Campaign.

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What Will Your Legacy Be?

Your legacy can feed the hungry, care for our elderly, and educate our children. It can strengthen Jewish identity, preserve our culture and heritage, and protect the State of Israel. Your bequest or other planned gift will keep our Jewish community strong for generations. It’s an expression of your trust in future community leaders. A way for you to be there whenever help is needed. You can be the difference.

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Double Your Impact with the Federation Corporate Matching Gift Program
Make your gift go further. Thousands of companies match charitable contributions made by their employees, spouses and retirees – learn how you can double or triple your support for UJF. Learn More