Three directors of Jewish agencies introduced

Rabbi Gary Oren of Hillel of San Diego recites his credentials as panel moderator Charlene Seidle (left), JCC Excecutive Director Betzy Lynch, and Jewish Federation Executive Director Michael Jeser listen.


By Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel

Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel

ENCINITAS, California — The Leichtag Foundation welcomed  three new directors of  Jewish agencies in San Diego at a reception at the Hive on Thursday, January 10.  The honorees were Rabbi Gary Oren of Hillel,  Betzy Lynch of the Jewish Community Center, and  Michael Jeser of the Jewish Federation.  Charlene Seidle of the Leichtag Foundation introduced them and invited  the guests to share details of  their  qualifications and backgrounds. Questions were later asked by the audience  of about  60 people  including representatives from several Jewish organizations plus North County residents.

The guests spoke extemporaneously. Rabbi Gary Oren was ordained at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, has a BA from California  State University at Fullerton, and  earned an MA  in Middle Eastern studies at Tel Aviv University.

Betzy Lynch said,  “I  have had the gift of working for 20 years in the Jewish Community Center movement in five amazing communities across the country. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to impact the Jewish community of the present and future.”

Michael Jesser was recently Project Manager at Family Leave , and former Project Manager at Vehicle Sharing. He attended Murdoch University and Institute of Technology Education at Rutgers University.

This was my  first visit to the Leichtag Foundation although it is a stone’s throw from Seacrest Village where I reside.  Among the many activities that occur at this former farm is an area where they continue to grow vegetables and fruit, which are sold once a week at a ‘Farmer’s Market.”

Classes are offered to the public on how to  grow their own vegetables, and how to be better farmers.  The Leichtag Foundation also contributes free food to local lower income families.

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Merel is the cantor emeritus of Congregation Beth Israel in San Diego.  He may be contacted via sheldon.merel@sdjewishworld.com