Rabbi Simcha Weiser, Joyce Arovas and Janese Cassel calling recipients with the good news

Three weeks ago we made an appeal to the community, “Help us clear our waitlist! We want to send 28 more Jewish teens to Israel.” We are thrilled to announce that our Federation donor community answered our call. Families of past recipients, lovers of Israel, and individual donors helped us raise an additional $42,000. It is important to note that these funds were not raised by a single donor, but by a community of donors who believe in connecting Jewish teens to the land of Israel.

Last week we were welcomed to Soille Hebrew Day School by Rabbi Simcha Weiser and Joyce Arovas. Together, we called parents anxiously awaiting word on whether they were going to receive financial support from Federation. We were honored to represent all of those who made this subsidy possible—we could not have made those happy calls without your support. In March, we will meet with these parents and teens to let them know why Federation feels that teen travel to Israel is critical for developing a lifelong relationship with the Jewish homeland.

Because of you, 89 students will experience the magic of Israel:

• 22 8th grade students from Soille Hebrew Day School
• 22 Seniors from the San Diego Jewish Academy
• 27 Sophomores from the KEN Jewish Community
• 8 Juniors on March of the Living
• 10 teens on other teen travel programs

This past winter we also supported:

• 11 Juniors from Congregation Beth Israel
• 19 teens from Temple Solel
• 2 teens on other teen travel programs

Our Israel Connections initiative is dedicated to sending teens and young professionals to Israel, strengthen our relationship with our sister community Sha’ar Hanegev and supporting Israeli programming in San Diego. Help us celebrate Israel’s 70th birthday on Sunday, April 29 at Israel Fest.

By Darren Schwartz, Chief Program Officer