By Heidi Gantwerk
SAN DIEGO — As the end of the year approaches, we ask that you include Federation in your charitable giving. Your donation will help us continue and expand our vital work, which aims to enrich the lives of Jewish San Diegans and Jews around the world.
Your support enables us to live out our Jewish values and strengthen the future of Jewish life. We inspire community leaders through programs such as the Pauline Foster Women’s Leadership Institute, the Teen Peer Leaders Fellowship, and the Teen Global Ambassador Program, and by funding and facilitating professional development opportunities for community professionals. These programs provide learning, mentoring, and relationship building opportunities for people who shape the future of local Jewish life.
We also work to ensure that our Jewish community remains safe and secure. This year, we brought nine synagogues together for training through our 6-month Community Security Institute and awarded grants so those synagogues could implement new, comprehensive security plans. Over the next three years, we plan to invest $1.2 million in increased physical security improvements at Jewish organizations, increased security planning and coordination, and support for our new community security director. Our goal is to raise $400,000 to leverage the full matching opportunity offered by the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA).
In addition to these efforts, we also develop lifelong bonds with Israel and Israelis through our partnership with our sister region, Sha’ar HaNegev, and bring Israel to San Diego through our Shinshinim program, which brings young Israeli emissaries to work in local Jewish institutions and engage our youth and families in meaningful Israel experiences.
Finally, we respond to Jewish poverty in San Diego by leading a coalition of local organizations in a coordinated and strategic response to help those in need, including seniors, Holocaust survivors, single parents, and people with disabilities and mental illness. For example, our funding partnership with KAVOD SHEF (Survivors of the Holocaust Emergency Fund) recently granted $160,000 to help pay for the dental, vision, medical, emergency home services, and food needs of our local Holocaust survivors.
We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to do this work, and we hope you will consider making a donation before December 31, 2022 to ensure that you receive a tax deduction for the year. Your support will enable us to continue making a difference in the lives of Jewish San Diegans and friends around the world.
P.S. Checks must be postmarked by December 31 to qualify for 2022 tax deduction. Thank you again for your continued support!
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Heidi Gantwerk is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County.