JERUSALEM — Marcia Riman Selz of Los Angeles and her daughter, Deborah Selz Kornberg have visited Israel over 50 times combined, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to the country, its people, and – in Marcia’s case – its army.
Recently, Marcia and her husband, Dr. Eduardo Subelman, brought their extended family together for a trip to Israel that took two years for Marcia and Debbie to plan. During this meaningful journey and in partnership with Jewish National Fund-USA, they honored Marcia’s late father with a plaque at Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem and dedicated a bomb shelter in Sha’ar HaNegev near the Gaza border in memory of her mother. The next generation was present to witness the touching tributes by Marcia and Debbie, and be inspired by these two remarkable women.
Marcia, a published author with many academic degrees, treasures the title “community mensch” the most, reflecting her unstoppable mission to do good in any way she can. Her devotion to Israel extends far beyond endearing words or a donation. A powerhouse of compassion and action, Marcia has volunteered with the IDF for over two decades, and since October 7, she has returned to Israel numerous times, with her latest two-month stint spent at a medical supply distribution base where along with other volunteers, she packed life-saving wound kits and pharmaceuticals that were sent to Gaza and the North. For 2025, she has already signed up to spend four months on the base doing this life-saving work.
The credit for sparking Marcia’s passion for Israel belongs to Debbie. “For work, I traveled all over the world,” Marcia said, “but at one point Debbie told me I needed to visit Israel, my cultural homeland, even though it wasn’t on my radar.” That trip changed Marcia’s life. “I felt instantly at home. I was walking on the very ground my ancestors had walked on.”
Jewish National Fund-USA National Campaign Director, Sharon Joy, emphasizes the pair’s commitment to service, “Marcia and Debbie are extraordinary volunteers, dedicating themselves to Jewish National Fund-USA with unwavering passion, integrity, and dignity. Their commitment to action is unparalleled, as they serve on critical task forces, share their invaluable expertise, host meaningful events, and much more. True Zionists at heart, their generosity and profound love for Israel are truly inspiring. I am incredibly blessed to call them my friends.”
Marcia’s devotion to Israel has taken many forms, including serving on the JNF Go North West Task Force, as a volunteer consultant to the JNF Lauder Employment Center in northern Israel, and as a proud Circle of Sapphire Society member. After October 7, while in Israel on her off-days from volunteering with the IDF, she also used her experience as a therapist and life coach to counsel soldiers suffering from PTSD.
Similarly, Debbie has extraordinary passion for Israel and spent much of her adult life giving back to the Jewish state. Married to Conservative Rabbi David Kornberg, with whom she has two children, Debbie served as president of JNF San Diego, is currently chair of the JNF-USA Board of Trustees for the San Diego Region, and lived in Israel while earning her undergraduate degree in Judaic Studies. Currently, thanks to her shift to the culinary world and the creation of her own empire, SPICE + LEAF, which offers a range of high-quality kosher spice blends, teas and olive oils sourced from around the world including Israel, Debbie is a recognized expert in the “spice world.”
“Israel has always filled a spiritual need in me,” said Debbie. “But since October 7, I’ve been inspired by the ancient Talmudic saying: “All Jews are responsible for one another and there is an urgent need to support each individual in Israel in this new reality.”
Their family trip to Israel had been in the planning stages for nearly two years. The decision to make a gift in memory of Marcia’s late father, Bernard Riman, a WWII naval officer, was inspired by a visit from Alon Wald, head of operations at the Ammunition Hill Heritage Center in Jerusalem. When the family finally arrived in Israel in June, they visited Ammunition Hill, where they held a moving dedication ceremony and viewed the plaque installed in Bernard’s honor.
“I felt that my grandparents were definitely there with us in spirit,” Debbie said, noting that her son Michael was also present to witness the honoring of past generations. During the ceremony, Marcia shared stories about her father, whom she described as a “good, sweet, ethical man.”
“He’d be so proud to be part of Ammunition Hill, to be part of Israel’s legacy,” she reflected.
Their next stop was Sha’ar HaNegev in the Gaza Envelope, an area that for the last 25 years Debbie has called her “second home” because of its significance as San Diego’s sister community and the friends who live there and have become her Israeli family. In memory of Marcia’s mother, Claire Sanders Riman, Debbie and Marcia decided to dedicate a bomb shelter in this region. “I was impressed with JNF’s painted bomb shelters during a JNF mission trip to the Gaza Envelope, and that planted the seed for me to dedicate one for my mom,” Marcia explained. “It’s not only a beautiful art object, but it also serves as a life-saving space to protect people.”
In collaboration with JNF, they placed the shelter opposite a music conservatory and gave it a musical theme in honor of Claire’s love for the piano and her extraordinary talent. The family personalized the shelter, painting it in stunning hues of blue and yellow, and signing their names on the project. “It was heartfelt and moving,” Marcia said. “I’m so glad JNF gave us this opportunity to honor my mom in such a personal way.”
“Beautifying the shelter was our way of helping the residents,” Debbie added. “Dedicating it was a way to send a message of support. It helps American Jews connect with the people of Israel and creates a visual partnership.”
Debbie summed it up perfectly: “Jewish National Fund-USA is so good at connecting people at every stage of their lives. They create intersections that allow anyone to become part of Israel’s story, at any point in their journey. For my family, this has been a generational commitment to Israel’s future, a bond passed from my great-grandparents, to my grandparents, to my parents, and now to me and my children. It’s a legacy of giving back that will continue for years to come.”
For more information about supporting the land and people of Israel through Jewish National Fund-USA, contact National Campaign Director, Sharon Joy.
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Tania Shalom Michaelian is a freelance writer. Her article was distributed by Jewish National Fund-USA.
What a beautiful tribute to such a dedicated family. Kol hakavod! Very inspiring!