SAN DIEGO (SDJW) – Beth Sirull completes her tenure as CEO of the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego on March 15, when she will be succeeded by Jeremy Pearl, who currently is the foundation’s chief financial officer. The new CFO will be Eli Landau, who currently is the foundation’s director of finance. Sirull will stay on in an advisory capacity until June 30 to assure a smooth transition.
In a message to donors, Sirull commented that “JCF’s assets have grown from just over $300 million to more than $800 million” and that over the past seven years, JCF has received more than $1 billion, and has distributed more than $700 million in grants to nonprofits in San Diego County, elsewhere in the U.S., Israel, and around the world.
“My pride in our accomplishments as a team is only exceeded by the pride I feel in turning the reigns of the organization over to Jeremy and the entire incredibly talented JCF team,” Sirull wrote. “To all of them I would like to say ‘Yasher Koach’ – May you continue to have the strength to do the exceptional work that you have been doing.”
Pearl has served as the CFO of the Foundation since 2005, and Landau since 2011.
–SCHOOL DAYS–
San Diego Hebrew Day School’s 3rd grade students had a trip to Disneyland. Amid the fun, there “was an educational adventure weaving together business theory, design engineering and the intricate workings of a theme park,” according to the school’s newsletter. “It wasn’t just a day of learning, it was a day of shared experiences and unforgettable memories.” Back at the school, preschoolers learned about American presidents; 5th graders dissected sheep eyes under the guidance of science teacher Julie Rivard; and 8th graders participated in a structured, Socratic seminar on the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
–POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT–
City Councilwoman Dr. Jennifer Campbell advises that the San Diego City Council approved her amendments to the Sidewalk Vending Ordinance. “The primary goal of such amendments was to strike a balance between protecting First Amendment rights, while also maintaining public safety, order, and accessibility on sidewalks, parks, and beaches,” she wrote. “These amendments clearly defined and utilized what courts consider free speech. What is not considered free speech by the courts include sales of handcrafts, including jewelry, pottery, shea butter, incense, and incense burners. These amendments include immediate impoundment of a vendor’s equipment or goods if the vending poses certain public health and safety concerns, including vending food without a valid health permit.”
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San Diego School Board President Shana Hazan and her colleagues have begun eight in-person and Zoom meetings throughout the district to hear from students, families, educators, staff and community about what goals schools ought to set. ““I know that with clear goals and thoughtful plans, we can accelerate academic achievement and social emotional wellbeing so that all our students reach their full potential,” Hazan said. “It’s critically important to our school board that the student outcome goals we adopt reflect the vision and values of our community. That’s why we’re taking the time to listen to students, families, and educators to understand their priorities.” One meeting already has been held at Mira Mesa High School. The schedule for the others are: Tuesday, February 20 – Student Town Hall: Education Center Auditorium and Zoom, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; Friday, February 23 – Crawford High School Innovation Center, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; Saturday, February 24 – Zoom, 9-11 a.m.; Thursday, February 29 – Mission Bay High School Library, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; Monday, March 4 – San Diego High School Library, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 9 – Zoom, 2-4 p.m.; and Wednesday, March 13 – Canyon Hills High School Media Center, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
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The office of County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer has compiled a list of her accomplishments from the time she took office in 2021 through 2023.
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–KASHRUT —
Beth Jacob Congregation has published in its newsletter a list of nine kosher food establishments in San Diego. They include 1) Moishe’s Pizza operating from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays out of Beth Jacob, 4855 College Avenue; 2) Mega Glatt Mart San Diego, 6375 El Cajon Blvd.; 3) Kosher Smoothies, at the 7-Eleven at 5141 College Avenue; 4) Harissa Mediterranean Kitchen at the Lawrence Family JCC, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla; 5) Menchie’s La Mesa, frozen yogurt, at 8046 La Mesa Blvd.; 6) Parisien Gourmandises, pastries, 7643 Girard Avenue, La Jolla; 7) Meats & Eats, 12925 El Camino Real, San Diego; 8) La mesa Pizzaworks, 7406 University Avenue, La Mesa; and 9) Hamitbach Street Food, 5664 Mission Center Road, Suite 402.
–HUMOR–
Rabbi Rafi Andrusier of Chabad of East County passes on this anecdote: “Ben Cohen had been drinking at a pub all night. The bartender finally said that the bar was closing. So Ben stood up to leave and fell flat on his face. He tried to stand one more time; same result. Ben figured he’ll crawl outside and get some fresh air and maybe that would sober him up. Once outside, Ben stood up but fell flat on his face again. So, he decided to crawl the 4 blocks to his home. When he arrived at the door, Ben stood up and again fell flat on his face. He crawled through the door and into his bedroom. When he reached his bed Ben tried one more time to stand up. This time he managed to pull himself upright, but he quickly fell right into bed and fell sound asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. He was awakened the next morning to his wife, Yente, standing over him, shouting, “So, you’ve been out drinking again!” “What makes you say that?” Ben asked, putting on an innocent look. Yente replied “The pub called – you left your wheelchair there again.”
–HONORS–
San Diego Jewish World contributor Alex Gordon of Haifa, whose biographical essays about Jews in history appear on Mondays, has been notified by Carmel Book Publishers of Jerusalem that his second book, My Dear Dissonance: Kiev Stories, has been published.
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Chabad of La Costa has honored San Diego Jewish World by putting a notice in its newsletter advising readers that free subscriptions to this publication are available. As stated in the Chabad of La Costa newsletter, “Our dear friend and noted writer, Don Harrison, curates a refreshing variety of Jewish-interest stories. The daily emails are refreshing, as they come from a Jewish perspective. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Simply logon to the website and follow the prompts to subscribe.
–OBITUARY REPORTS–
Chabad of University City: Consuela Renteria, mother of Nechama Curiel, died in Mexico. Her funeral was held in Ensenada.
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San Diego Hebrew Day School: Eliyahu Butbul, father of Avi Butbul, father-in-law to Avril Butbul, and grandparents to Yonatan and Danielle.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue: Israel Aides, brother of Judy Shear and brother-in-law of Hillel Shear, died in Israel, leaving his wife Neli, sons Neal and Amit, and daughter Elit. Funeral services in Israel were held Wednesday, Feb. 14, and the family in San Diego is observing shiva through Wednesday, Feb. 21.
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SDJW staff