Welcome to the May 2026 edition of “Points of Pride,” an exclusive update for you!
Thank you for helping us make an impact as we seek to strengthen our San Diego Jewish community for generations to come. Below you will find highlights of how your support is creating lasting impact.
If you would like to invest in any of the programs or initiatives included below, we invite you to contact Michael >, Chief Development Officer. Thank you for being all in!
Grief, Memory, and Pride: A Community That Shows Up
In the weeks surrounding Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom HaAtzmaut, more than 3,000 Jewish San Diegans came together for meaningful commemorations and community-wide events held in partnership with the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego, Israeli American Council, and other communal partners. From honoring Holocaust Survivors and stories of diplomatic courage, to standing in collective remembrance for Israel's fallen soldiers and victims of terror, to celebrating Israel's 78th Independence Day, each gathering reflected the strength of a community that continues to show up for one another across moments of grief, memory, and pride.
History Meets the Future: Spark Interactive Launches
On May 3, Legacy of Light Goldberg Institute for Holocaust Education brought together more than 400 community members to officially launch Spark Interactive, an innovative mobile Holocaust education experience designed to bring learning directly into classrooms and communities across San Diego County. Created in response to rising antisemitism, misinformation, and intolerance, Spark Interactive combines Survivor testimony, immersive storytelling, and critical thinking exercises to help students engage deeply with history while building empathy and moral courage. Education, civic, and philanthropic leaders from across the region gathered for the launch, underscoring broad community investment in ensuring Holocaust education remains accessible, relevant, and deeply impactful for future generations. To learn more about Spark Interactive, click here. View more photos from the event here.
Light in the Darkness: Brunch Club After Dark
Just two days later, Women's Philanthropy welcomed more than 90 Jewish women for Brunch Club After Dark, an evening centered on reflection, resilience, and meaningful connection through the lens of Spark Interactive and Holocaust education. Guests experienced the newly launched mobile classroom firsthand while participating in guided conversations about finding light in moments of darkness and the responsibility each generation carries in shaping a more compassionate society. Blending thoughtful dialogue with creative expression, including a custom Shabbat candle-making activity, the evening reflected Federation's continued investment in creating spaces where Jewish women can connect deeply, engage with critical issues facing the community, and strengthen the relationships that sustain Jewish life in San Diego. To view photos from Brunch Club After Dark, click here.
Leading from the Front: PFWLI Cohort 5 Graduates
Federation celebrated the graduation of the fifth cohort of the Pauline Foster Women's Leadership Institute, marking another milestone for one of our community's most transformative leadership programs. Over the course of their journey together, this cohort of exceptional Jewish women deepened their leadership skills through executive coaching, cohort retreats, and an immersive trip to Mexico City, where they explored Jewish life across our southern border while forging the kind of bonds that last well beyond the program. Since its founding, the Pauline Foster Institute has developed a growing network of women leaders who are shaping the future of Jewish organizations, philanthropy, and communal life across San Diego. We are proud to welcome these graduates into the growing family of PFWLI alumni and look forward to the impact they will continue to make. To learn more about the Pauline Foster Women's Leadership Institute, click here.
Stronger Together: Security Spring Training
This spring, Federation and the Secure Community Network (SCN) hosted Security Spring Training sessions at Temple Solel, Congregation Beth Israel, and Temple Emanu-El, bringing together more than 150 community members and leaders from Jewish organizations across the county. Participants received hands-on training in threat recognition, emergency response, and situational awareness, the kind of practical preparation that gives our community confidence and peace of mind. Federation has made community-wide security training a core part of how we care for one another, working to ensure that every synagogue, school, and gathering space in San Diego is equipped, prepared, and supported. To learn more about Federation's security resources and upcoming trainings, click here.
Our Voice in Washington: Security Advocacy Fly-In
Last week, Federation led a delegation that brought together leaders from Hillel of San Diego, Seacrest Village, and the Lawrence Family JCC | JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS to join hundreds of advocates from Jewish communities across the country at the Jewish Federations of North America Security Advocacy Fly-In in Washington, D.C. The two-day program brought professionals and lay leaders to Capitol Hill, where they met directly with Members of Congress and their staff to advance critical security priorities for Jewish institutions and communal spaces. By convening our local partners to lobby collectively, Federation ensured that San Diego's Jewish community spoke with one unified voice on the national stage. Federation's presence on Capitol Hill sent a clear message: San Diego's Jewish community has a seat at the table, and we intend to use it. See highlights from our time on Capitol Hill here.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game: Jewish Heritage Night at Petco Park
This week, more than 400 San Diegans filled the Western Metal Rooftop at Petco Park for the 2026 Jewish Heritage Celebration at the Padres, and the energy was electric. Kids played, families laughed, friends reconnected, and the entire rooftop radiated Jewish joy from first pitch to final out. The evening opened with a moment of community pride as Rabbi Scott Meltzer of Ohr Shalom Synagogue taking the mound for the ceremonial first pitch in honor of 100 years of Jewish life on 3rd and Laurel, followed by Federation President and CEO Heidi Gantwerk sang the national anthem. Fans went home with a limited-edition Padres Menorah giveaway and something harder to put into words: the feeling of being part of a Jewish community that shows up, celebrates together, and is deeply proud of who we are. Nights like these remind us why we do this work, and why this community is so special. Stay connected with Federation events and celebrations here.
Be Part of the Journey: The Community Trip to Israel, May 2027
In 2023, more than 220 San Diegans traveled to Israel together on Federation's inaugural CommUNITY Trip, and it changed everything. Participants came home with deeper connections to Israel, to Jewish life, and to one another. Friendships formed on that trip have become some of the strongest in our community. Now we are doing it again, and the momentum is building! The Community Trip returns May 18-25, 2027, with an optional post-trip extension to Budapest. The itinerary spans Israel's most meaningful sites, dedicated time in Sha'ar HaNegev, San Diego's partner region, and experiences designed to bring our community closer together in ways only a shared journey can. This is not just a trip to Israel. It is a chance to stand with your San Diego community in the place that connects us all. Whether it is your first visit or a long-awaited return, this is the one to be on. Space is filling up. Reserve your place today and invite someone you think should be there.
