Dear Friends, 

It is hard to believe that I am about to finish my first year as Board Chair of our Jewish Federation. And what a year it has been; full of wonderful achievements amid local heartache and global challenges. 

As I reflect on this last year, I feel the urge to stand on the highest mountain and yell it so that everyone can hear: Our Federation is absolutely and uniquely amazing. We have spectacular professional staff. We have dedicated and passionate lay leaders. We have clarity of mission and keen focus on our strategic priorities. Most important of all, we have the generous support of a caring and engaged community. 

At a most basic level, the day-to-day work of Federation is reason enough to garner our enthusiastic support and appreciation. Together, we empower our Federation to:

• Strengthen our Jewish community and community members’ Jewish identity


• Deepen our community’s bonds with Israel


• Improve the physical security and safety of our Jewish organizations  


• Respond to the antizionism and antisemitic verbal and physical attacks


• Increase the human capital of our community by investing in future leaders


• Convene local organizations and individuals to answer challenges and capitalize on opportunities, serving as the connective tissue of the San Diego Jewish community.


• Support the mental health needs of our Jewish teens and address other societal burdens they face through our vibrant Jewish teen initiative. 


• Provide a safety net for community members who are alone and downtrodden, especially local Holocaust Survivors, addressing food insecurity, loneliness, and related ailments.


 

In addition to this vital work on behalf of our local and global community, this year our Federation also:

• Kicked off the planning and registration for next year’s incredible CommUNITY Mission to Israel 


• Launched and awarded the first ever Michael Jeser Jewish Professional Leadership Award


• Participated in the LiveSecure national match to strengthen the security of our community


• Initiated the Gesher program, which brought five local agency heads on an experiential learning trip to Sha’ar HaNegev and elsewhere in Israel and will soon bring their Israeli counterparts to San Diego


• Opened an emergency campaign in support of Ukraine that has raised over $800k


 

As you can see, we do a lot. That is, because there is a lot to do. Please join me in supporting the work of OUR Federation by making an end of year contribution here. With your help, we will be able to DO MORE, HELP MORE, and BUILD MORE. If you have not had the opportunity to see our last Impact Report, please go here. You will see in greater detail the depth and breadth of our Jewish Federation. I cannot say it enough, we can only do this work thanks to the generous support of our community. 

Finally, San Diego Jewish community members gained comfort from each other following the tragic passing of Federation CEO Michael Jeser, z’l, and our CFO, Susan Halliday. As I finish my first year of Board Chair, I am grateful we were able to find an exceptional individual, Heidi Gantwerk, to become our CEO last December and that we were able to meet and surpass Federation’s goals for the year.

Our fiscal year ends today. I thank you in advance for your generous contribution that will allow our Federation to continue and grow upon its meaningful and impactful work that creates a vibrant, caring, safe, and enduring Jewish community. 

Warmly,

Jack Maizel Board Chair