PARTNERING FOR A VIBRANT JEWISH FUTURE
2011 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
Working together to inspire stories of love and hope A PARTNER
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It’s a
powerful story
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In 2011, the Jewish Federation of San Diego County will begin its 75th year serving the San Diego and worldwide Jewish communities. Throughout the past 75 years the purpose of Federation has not changed – we exist to create a more vibrant Jewish community in San Diego, Israel and throughout the world. Together with our supporters, we have been instrumental in helping meet the needs of the Jewish community. With your support, the Jewish Federation continues to ensure that the programs and institutions that enrich Jewish life here at home, in Israel and overseas, remain vibrant and strong. Even during these difficult economic times, when one of our highest priorities is helping people in financial crisis feed their families, pay their rent and get back on their feet, we have remained positive and steadfast in our commitment to partnering for a vibrant Jewish future. It’s your story. Be a Partner. Get involved. Donate. Volunteer. Support the Jewish Federation of San Diego’s Annual Campaign.
It’s what being Jewish feels like.
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Jewish Federation
works
because we work together
Together as a community, we bring dignity, hope and joy to people’s lives every day. We ensure that Jewish social services and community organizations remain strong here at home, in Israel and around the world. We effectively respond to the crises that confront us and our neighbors with loving kindness and enduring Jewish value. We accomplish what no one individual could do on his own.
Every gift tells a story of love and hope.
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Whether helping families avoid foreclosure and eviction today, or leading the rescue and resettlement of over one million Jews from the former Soviet Union to Israel during the fall of communism.
Whether bringing emergency aid to the victims of Haiti’s devastating earthquake, or helping to feed over a hundred thousand destitute seniors in Eastern Europe.
Whether helping vulnerable populations in Israel overcome poverty and disadvantage, or ensuring that our JCC and Jewish day schools remain strong, vibrant hubs of Jewish life and learning.
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Every
gift
makes a difference
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The impact is real. It is tangible. And it changes lives for the better. It makes a difference in our neighborhoods and in far–off communities around the world. And it makes a difference to the people of Israel. It feeds the old Jewish man in Warsaw who hasn’t left his apartment in 16 years. It provides job counseling services to your neighbor, the mother of three who was laid-off during the economic crisis. And it supports programs like Taglit-Birthright Israel that inspire a life-long love of Israel and Jewish culture.
Every gift tells a story of love and hope.
Over 180,000 elderly Jews in the former Soviet Union receive hunger relief, medication & home care assistance. But 60,000 were turned away because we don’t have the resources to help them. Your gift will help.
Over 45,000 young Jews from over 60 countries have had transformative experiences in Israel. But many more are waiting for their chance. Your gift will make a difference.
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Growing up in Belarus with few Jewish community resources, Olga Baskin was typical of many young Jews living in the former Soviet Union: looking for a meaningful Jewish identity, but finding little to inspire her. Though Olga eventually studied medicine and became a doctor, “I wasn’t successful in my private life,” she says. That’s when she found out about a program that seemed tailor-made for her. The Jewish Agency MASA program helps young Jews from around the world spend a semester studying or working in Israel. The program strengthened Olga’s enthusiasm for Israel. It also provided a community of Jewish friends and colleagues. When the program ended, Olga says, she could have returned to Belarus. “But after nine months of living with Jewish friends and Jewish holidays,” she says, “I realized my soul was in Israel and I was going to make aliyah.”
“It wasn’t a question of whether I would make aliyah,’ says Olga Baskin from Belarus, ‘it was a question of when. I was afraid for so many years to take this step.”
Olga and 21 other doctors spent nine months together living in Be’ersheva. “We were like a family.” All but two ultimately made aliyah.
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Finding a
future
in Israel
$550 $2,275 $5,000 Pairs a new oleh with a veteran immigrant to allow for a smooth transition into Israeli society.
Pays for a scholarship that enables one young adult to spend a semester studying in Israel.
Covers the cost of an absorption center for one immigrant.
To find out more about Olga go to jewishinsandiego.org
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Unemployment and Hurricane
Katrina
$19 Delivers one session of group therapy for a teenager.
$350 Helps an unemployed adult get support, skills and networking.
$525 Buys basic food items for two families for one month.
To find out more about Randy go to jewishinsandiego.org
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Randy Schaffer experienced several devastating events within a few short months. But thanks to his own resilience and significant help from Federation, he was able to rebound and reinvent himself. And today he is not only surviving—he feels lucky.
Hurricane Katrina wiped him out, destroying his home and his dentistry clinic. He got little help from the government, and his sister suggested that he call Federation. That’s when the pieces began to fall into place. “To ask for help was very difficult. I needed a place to live. I needed food for my table. That’s where the Federation came in. They said here’s what we can do to get things settled, and they did it.” Today, Randy and his son have relocated and Randy finds fulfillment teaching. But he’s is quick to remind anyone who’ll listen, “Each time my life took a bad turn, Federation was there.”
After Katrina, Randy says “Federation helped find us a home and provided counseling for me and for Max. They just met all of our needs. They helped with the trauma of the move and the loss of everything.”
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The
strength of family
The
support
of community
Scott and Toni Faerber had built an idyllic Jewish life with their three children. Then one day, Scott felt pain in his abdomen. He headed for the hospital where he was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkins lymphoma. With the support of his family, Scott began chemotherapy immediately. “The Jewish community was so involved in our fight,” Scott says. “There were people bringing hot meals to us every night without our having to pick up a phone and ask for anything.” Eventually, Scott was unable to work, and the family faced additional consequences. “Through the Federation, we were blessed with so many different things, and one of them was an attorney who helped us with the issues around our foreclosure.” “The Jewish Federation embraced us and bolstered us at a time when we were completely without.”
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Despite complications from the chemo, within a year Scott’s cancer was in remission, and he was eager to put his illness behind him.
Scott and Toni chose to keep their children involved throughout their father’s fight. Toni reports, “Some positive things have come out of this experience. Scott is closer with the kids. He and I have also become closer. He’s been able to slow down and appreciate every little thing in life. He’s learned how to be grateful.”
To find out more about the Faerbers go to jewishinsandiego.org
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Helping herself.
Helping Israel.
$650 Provides academic enrichment and emotional therapy for one Ethiopian-Israeli child for one year.
$1,000 $2,860 Pays for the academic support for one immigrant teenager to complete high school matriculation exams.
Brings one immigrant into the network of a kibbutz, giving them a unique community and absorption process.
To find out more about Batya go to jewishinsandiego.org
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Batya was four when she made aliyah from Ethiopia. By the time she was ten, she saw the disadvantages Ethiopian Israelis face and wanted to do something about it. Later, as Batya neared the end of her army service, she felt uncertain about her future.
At a “Released from Duty” conference organized by a Hadera youth center, she participated in a Young Leadership course through JDC’s Centers for Young Adults. “We learned what it means to be a citizen, and how to take responsibility for your life.” The center is a cultural melting pot where Ethiopians, Russians, other olim, and native Israelis can meet. Batya said, “We all had the same goal, to improve our city and change the sad reality of some families.” Batya, now 23, proudly states, “Today I am a second-year law student. What I am most interested in is constitutional law, where we study the rights of every human being.”
JDC’s Centers for Young Adults are located in cities with large immigrant populations. They help young immigrants find their place in Israeli society by providing
a wide range of counseling and orientation services under one roof, including guidance regarding higher education and vocational training, job skills and life skills.
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It’s what
being Jewish feels like.
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A donation to the Jewish Federation of San Diego’s Annual Campaign is also a gift you give yourself. It’s a gift to your family and it’s a gift to your friends.
It’s a promise that Jewish social services and vibrant community organizations will remain strong and active for all of us. And for you. It’s an opportunity to be part of a caring community that gives back. And it’s a opportunity to foster and celebrate Jewish identity for future generations. It’s a way to leave a Jewish Legacy With a planned gift (or bequest) to Federation, you can continue to give and perpetuate your values when you are no longer here. It can help guarantee a vibrant future. And you can help make it happen. Be a Partner. Get involved. Donate. Volunteer.
Support the Jewish Federation of San Diego’s Annual Campaign.
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The Jewish Federation of San Diego County supports our partners on the front lines who provide direct services. Together we strengthen them so they can care for those in need and inspire and engage Jews in our community, in Israel and around the world. Our Local Partners Agency for Jewish Education B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) Hillel of San Diego Jewish Day Schools • Chabad Hebrew Academy • San Diego Jewish Academy • Soille San Diego Hebrew Day • Southern California Yeshiva High School • Torah High School of San Diego Jewish Family Service Ken Jewish Community Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center Moishe House Seacrest Village Retirement Communities San Diego County Synagogues San Diego-Israel Connection Sha’ar HaNegev Partnership Community San Diego IBIM Youth Village Israel and Overseas Center Taglit-Birthright Israel International Partners American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) World ORT National Partners (partial list) Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies Birthright Israel NEXT Foundation for Jewish Camp Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) Hillel Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) Jewish Education Service of North America (JESNA) Jewish Community Centers Association (JCCA)
Purpose of Funds
Children & Teens
Connecting Young Adults
Jewish Identity
Senior Care
Community Building
Relief & Rescue
Helping Israel’s Neediest Citizens
Support for New Immigrants
Emergency Response
We Care About What You Care About • Jewish home for the aged • Jewish day schools • Synagogue programs • Jewish summer camps • Employment counseling and vocational training • Financial assistance with rent and utilities • Community kosher food banks • Counseling services • Scholarships for Jewish Day School students • Caring for the sick and hungry • Social services in Israel • Community building & social services in the Former Soviet Union • Haiti & Chile Earthquake Relief • Rescuing and protecting the vulnerable • Connecting our global Jewish family
4950 Murphy Canyon Road San Diego, CA 92123 858.571.3444 jewishinsandiego.org