SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — This is a very special time for our San Diego Jewish community, as we play host to 130 high school students and 20 staff members from our beloved Israeli sister region, Sha’ar HaNegev. These teens traveled to San Diego for 10 days away from war and the hardships they continue to face in Israel. This trip was the first time many of them have seen each other since being evacuated across Israel.
We are honored to offer these teens some time for respite. Sha’ar HaNegev was greatly impacted by the tragic events of October 7, and many of these students continue to live as refugees after experiencing unspeakable trauma. Their resilience inspires us all, and we are thrilled to welcome them and help them cultivate lasting relationships with our San Diego community.
Our partners at the San Diego Jewish Academy (SDJA) have worked tirelessly to provide home hospitality and many positive educational and community-building experiences for the students. We have also partnered with the Lawrence Family JCC | JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS and several of our community synagogues to create a very special and meaningful San Diego experience.
This moment of joy could only have been possible thanks to your generosity. Most of the cost for the teens’ time here has been funded by Federation’s Israel Emergency Response Campaign.
Your support for our Israel Emergency Response Campaign also extends to Sha’ar HaNegev itself, and has enabled the region’s municipality to address immediate needs that might otherwise gone unmet.
Key areas where your generosity has made a substantial impact include:
Infrastructure: The purchase of four generators helps kibbutzim in Sha’ar HaNegev continue functioning, providing essential electricity to homes, businesses, agricultural operations, and other electricity-dependent needs.
Respite and Trauma Support: Our funding has facilitated therapeutic enrichment activities for residents of all ages. These activities, such as surfing, cooking, art, sewing, knitting, video games, and various athletic activities, integrate therapeutic services that provide vital support throughout the evacuees’ locations.
Renovation of the Hydrotherapy Center: A hub for therapeutic care and recreation, including studio renovations and the purchase of new exercise machines.
Education: Sha’ar HaNegev opened 220 micro-educational programs all over Israel within a month. Our funding played a crucial role in bringing familiar teachers from Sha’ar HaNegev schools who reside in distant communities to stay with their students during the challenging period.
Equipment and Clothing: Using our funds, the municipality purchased hundreds of washers and dryers to accommodate the needs of the evacuees in their new locations. The purchase of winter coats helped to keep people warm (in body and spirit) as they evacuated to much colder climates.
Addressing Economic Needs: We contributed $200,000 to support startup business that are part of the SouthUp Economic Incubator, providing resources for remote work and covering transportation expenses for those forced to relocate.
With your support, our Federation continues to stand with Sha’ar HaNegev and her people as they seek to recover and build back better from the terror attacks of October 7 and Israel’s subsequent war with Hamas.
Thank you for standing with us.
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Preceding provided by the Jewish Federation of San Diego.