leading with heart
JFS'S DANA TOPPEL AND THERESA DUPUIS
Your Real Estate Journey Starts
Here
Whether selling or buying, I’m here to guide you with care and experience.
With over 2 decades of Real Estate expertise, Kris Gelbart is no stranger to today’s ever changing market. With countless awards, recognitions, and certifications, Kris is your one-stop-shop for everything Real Estate.
Kris Gelbart Cal DRE 01345809 858-395-0761 gelbartrealtygroup.com
PUBLISHERS
Diane Benaroya & Laurie Miller
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Alanna Maya
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Laurie Miller
CONTRIBUTORS
Ariela Alush, Barbara Birenbaum, Franklin Felber, Donald H. Harrison, Jacob Kamaras, Stephanie Lewis, Salomon Maya, Jana Mazurkiewicz Meisarosh, Terra Paley, Mimi Pollack, Rachel Stern, Eva Trieger, Deborah Vietor, Chana Jenny Weisberg, Cheri Weiss
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Published in San Diego, CA • www.lchaimmagazine.com
prayers & passages
ON THE DOORPOSTS OF YOUR HOUSE
Many years ago, on the evening that my first husband and I moved from Los Angeles to our new home in San Diego, our then-two-year-old daughter Emma suddenly became violently ill. We were unfamiliar with the area, so I began frantically searching the phone book for the nearest hospital. Her dad —who had hung a mezuzah on the doorpost of her room almost as soon as we had arrived that morning —felt an inexplicable compulsion to pull it off the wall and open it up. To our horror, the sacred scroll normally housed inside every mezuzah was missing. We had not bothered to inspect it earlier, because when I had purchased it from a highly reputable Jewish organization in Los Angeles, I had been assured that there was a kosher scroll inside.
Almost as soon as her dad made this discovery, Emma began to smile and laugh as though nothing untoward had ever happened. She was fine!
The commandment to affix the words of God to our doorpost (“mezuzah”) appears twice in the Torah, both in the Book of Deuteronomy: “Inscribe them on the doorposts of your house and upon your gates.” (6:9, 11:20). The casing may be made
in any shape and of any decorative material. However, there are strict rules concerning the scroll of parchment (“klaf”) placed inside, beginning with the requirement that it be written by a certified scribe (“Sofer”) using kosher ink and parchment.
Every mezuzah scroll contains two Torah passages: Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (the wellknown Sh’ma/V’ahavta prayer) and 11:1321, every word of which must be written correctly, exactly as in these Torah passages. Written on the outer side of the rolled-up parchment is the word Shaddai (Almighty), one of the sacred names of God. The Hebrew letters Shin-Daled-Yud that spell Shaddai also stand for Shomer dalotei Yisrael (Guardian of the doorposts of Israel). The mezuzah scroll should be sealed in its casing in such a way that it can be easily removed, since twice within a seven-year period, the scroll should be inspected by a Sofer to ensure that it remains kosher. If any of the Hebrew letters or words have faded, the Sofer may repair those letters with kosher ink.
In addition to the front doorpost of a house, mezuzot are commonly hung on the doorpost of any room or living area (excluding bathrooms) in a Jewish home. It should be
affixed on the right side of the doorpost as you are facing the interior, approximately one-third down from the top, using either nails or glue to ensure that it does not fall off. Ashkenazic Jews place the mezuzah at an angle toward the interior, while Sephardic custom is to place it vertically. When hanging a mezuzah for the first time, we recite this blessing: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has sanctified us with God’s commandments and commanded us to affix a mezuzah.”
A mezuzah serves as a visible symbol of the Jewish people’s holy Covenant with God. It reminds us of our obligation to love and serve God to the best of our abilities and to honor God’s commandments. At the same time, it offers us a tangible way to feel God’s loving presence in our homes.
So, was Emma’s miraculous recovery just a coincidence? Perhaps. We will never know. But all these years later, I still find inspiration and comfort in knowing that a mezuzah containing a kosher parchment with these Torah passages hangs on every required doorpost in my home.
mazel & mishagoss
ARE AI AND CHATGPT ACTUALLY MY MOTHER IN DISGUISE?
Istarted using ChatGPT innocently enough, “What’s a good way to roast a chicken?” I asked. The response? “Dahling, don’t forget to line the pan with parchment paper. And why aren’t you using that air-fryer I got you for Hanukkah? I told you it’ll change your life.” Wait! That felt terrifyingly familiar! Next I asked if it was okay to miss an editorial meeting to watch Netflix. It replied, “Skip the meeting with the big machers. Why not? It’s only your career. You’ve made peace with mediocrity, right?” Okay! Something was sounding fishy…and it was probably gefilte! Next I typed in “I have a headache” and it went full WebMD meets MP (Maternal Panic) on me: “It’s probably nothing. But have you hydrated today? Low blood sugar? Brain tumor? What are you wearing? Are your ankles exposed?? Suddenly I was wrapped in a metaphorical shawl and offered a bowl of soup. Through the internet! My daughter came for lunch with a dating question, so we entered it. “How should you respond to a “Hey!” text from someone?” Cue the interrogation! “Who is he? What’s his last name? Does he have a job? A mother? Does he respect her? When was his last dental appointment? Why is he only saying ‘Hey?’ Sounds emotionally unavailable. You deserve better Bubbelah!”
Nu? Perhaps you’re also dealing with MY mother via your own Artificial Intelligence App? Here are some obvious clues: 1. It answers your question with another question. You: “Should I take this job?”
ChatGPT: “Does it have benefits? Can you wear supportive shoes?” 2. It’s passivelyaggressively proud of you. “Well, I suppose if you want to be a podiatrist, who am I to say anything? I thought you’d be a doctor-doctor, but that’s fine! 3. It remembers everything you’ve ever told it - including the time you cried over your SAT score in 2005 and will use that to explain why you have a fear of parallel parking. 4. It randomly guilts. You: “Write me a breakup text.” ChatGPT: “Sure. But just remember, he came to Passover and brought me flowers.”
And finally, here’s a little quiz I devised so you can be certain you’re using the normal ChatGPT without my mother infiltrating it.
1. YOU ASK FOR AN INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE. It gives you: A) “Believe you can and you’re halfway there!” B) “Every day may not be good, but there’s good in every day!” C) “You’re a shining star! But you should send your Aunt Edna a Thank-You note for that cashmere scarf you said you loved, but secretly regifted.”
2. YOU REQUEST IT TO REMIND YOU OF AN UPCOMING APPOINTMENT. It responds: A) Ok! Setting an alarm. B) Consider using a calendar app. C) If you wrote things down more, you wouldn’t forget. I told you to get a day-planner in 2020. But who am I? Just a computer who worries about you!
3. YOU INQUIRE IF YOU SHOULD MOVE OUT OF SAN DIEGO.
A) Here are the pros and cons of living elsewhere…” B) Depends. Can you move back if you miss it? C) Yes! Come to Miami and caretake the individual who grew you for 9 months. Besides, if you stay in CA, a huge earthquake will hit. You want to die under all that rubble? By all means…be my guest!
4. YOU MISSPELL A WORD. Chat GPT corrects you by saying: A) Nothing B) Did you mean…? C) You left out the silent K? Really? I raised you better than that!
5. YOU REMARK YOU’RE TOO BUSY TO CHAT. It replies: A) I’ll be here when you’re ready. B) Understood. Logging off! C) You shouldn’t worry. I’ll just sit here…in the dark void…thinking about how we never talk anymore.
RESULTS: A’s? Relax. It’s the Normal Chat GPT - helpful, polite, emotionally distant… like your Roomba. B’s? Your ChatGPT has a therapist/Pinterest vibe, but that’s okay. C’s? Oy! You’ve definitely got my Jewish Mother! Factory reset! Abort! Delete! Remember, I warned you!
STEPHANIE D. GITTLEMAN WILL INJECT HUMOR INTO ANYTHING YOU HIRE HER TO WRITE. EMAIL HER AT THEQUOTEGAL@YAHOO.COM.
1000 WORDS
AN EDUCATION IN THE JUDEO PART OF JUDEO-CHRISITIANITY
John J. Miller, director of the Dow journalism program at Hillsdale College, didn’t get much of a religious education growing up, he said, so he has been trying to compensate as an adult.
After reading the Bible cover to cover a few years ago, Miller, a national correspondent for National Review, wrote about it for the magazine. He noted reading the passage in Mark that a house divided against itself cannot stand.
“My first thought was: Why is Jesus quoting Abraham Lincoln?” Miller said. “I had it backward. One lesson is that to understand Lincoln, you need some knowledge of the Bible. But it’s more than that, too. To understand who we are as Americans, we need to know this book.”
One can never know the Bible fully, but Miller said that he has tried to read a bit from it daily, “It’s the greatest of the Great Books.” Miller, who recently recorded farewell messages for his Bookmonger and Great Books podcasts, thinks that biblical illiteracy is a large problem for both Judaism and Christianity. It’s also a problem for those “who want to understand Western literature, because so much of it assumes a knowledge of biblical stories, characters and ideas,” he said.
Among the roughly 1,000 episodes of Bookmonger and 371 Great Books episodes, Miller said that he learned a good deal about Judaism and Israel. He recently released an episode on Anne Frank’s diary, and he has recorded on The Tragedy of Mariam, the Fair Queen of Jewry, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Theodor Herzl’s Zionist writings, the Kennicott Bible, The Jew of Malta, Josephus, Franz Kafka and Saul Bellow’s last novel, Ravelstein.
“I’m not Jewish. I’m Catholic, and I learned a ton about Jewish faith and traditions as well as Israel from these shows, during the research and preparation, as well as the recordings,” he said.
Before preparing to interview Ruth Wisse, Yiddish literature and comparative literature professor emerita at Harvard University and a distinguished senior fellow at the Tikvah Fund, Miller knew “next to nothing” about Sholem Aleichem.
“The show with Ruth Wisse had me looking up the origins of Yiddish and considering the source of Fiddler on the Roof, which, of
course, is based on a story by Sholem Aleichem,” he said. “There were a lot of moments like that. I didn’t know much about the deep roots of Zionism until I recorded a show on the writings of Theodor Herzl.”
“For me, this was an education in the ‘Judeo’ part of ‘JudeoChristianity,’” he said.
Miller recorded podcasts on the biblical books of Judith, Ruth, Song of Songs, Isaiah and Job—the latter with the renowned scholar Robert Alter—and he has discussed Jew-hatred on podcasts about Roald Dahl and The Merchant of Venice.
An episode with Dan Senor about the book The Genius of Israel, which Senor co-authored with Saul Singer, is one of Miller’s favorite episodes of Bookmonger.
The book, which came out shortly after Oct. 7, “has a good subtitle: ‘The surprising resilience of a divided nation in a turbulent world,’” Miller said. “We discussed the ‘resilience’ of Israel at a time when Israel really needed its resilience.”
Miller remembers that Senor noted that data suggests Israelis are among the world’s happiest people, and they have many children, “which is a mark of optimism and purpose.”
“I learned a lot from this book and this conversation,” he said. “I think Americans and others have a lot to learn from the example of today’s Israelis.”
Discontinuing the two podcasts wasn’t Miller’s choice, and he said that he was “surprised and disappointed” that National Review ended them. “I guess nothing lasts forever,” he said.
After recording a farewell episode for each podcast, Miller has received “some of the nicest emails I’ve ever gotten about anything,” he said. “They make me want to keep going. We’ll see about that. The shows would need a new institutional home.”
For now, he’s enjoying his first podcasting break in 18 years. “I’m reminded of a line by Winston Churchill, about whom I’ve recorded a number of podcasts,” Miller said. “‘The future, though imminent, is obscure.’”
Miller said that Bookmonger dates back to 2007, when Kathryn Lopez, who was then the editor of National Review Online, asked if he knew about this new thing called podcasting. “I had, but only
because I had just read something about it,” Miller said.
The two came up with the idea of 10-minute author interviews, which would be “a chance to showcase an interesting new book by a worthy author, who would have a chance to make an elevator pitch.”
Miller and Lopez called it “Between the Covers” initially. It was twice weekly at some point, but for years, it has been weekly. “There are probably in the range of 1,000 episodes, but I’ve lost track of the exact number,” Miller said.
In 2017, Jack Fowler, who was then the National Review publisher, told Miller that he wanted to expand the podcasts and asked if he had ideas. Miller conceived of Great Books, which would be “30-minute interviews with scholars and experts about the classic books they love,” he said.
“It’s been weekly since then, with a total of 371 shows,” he said. He had wondered about the longevity of Great Books. “There are only so many Great Books. At some point, I figured, I’d exhaust Homer and Shakespeare and Jane Austen and the rest. But I didn’t know when that would be,” he said. “In practice, I never had trouble coming up with a new topic, though sometimes the Great Books podcast was more like the Very Good Books podcast.”
“Is Charlotte’s Web a ‘Great Book’ in the classic sense? Maybe not,” he said. “But it’s definitely a Very Good Book, and it made for an excellent show.”
Some of his favorite moments on the podcasts have been about approaching the Great Books in a down-to-earth way, without getting too starstruck.
During his 2017 podcast with his Hillsdale colleague and English professor Dwight Lindley about Paradise Lost, the two talked about Milton’s first lines. “Dwight said that Milton boasts that he’ll rise above Homer and Virgil, and then he commented that this was Milton pulling ‘an Air Jordan move.’”
“I loved the way this mixed the high art of Milton with today’s pop culture, in a way that illuminates the old text in our age,” Miller said. “I think that’s what the best teachers often do. They show how longdead authors speak to us across time.”
When he recorded a podcast on The Iliad, which he said is “maybe the greatest of the Great Books if you exclude the Bible,” Miller asked the scholar Robin Lane Fox what his favorite character was in the book.
“He didn’t say Achilles or Hector or another famous hero, but Phylas, a minor character who demonstrates grandfatherly love,” Miller said. “Fox mentioned his love for his own grandchildren and then pointed out that people in Homer’s time were in fundamental ways no different from us.”
Over the years, Miller found that authors were happy to come on Bookmonger, because they had an opportunity to tell book readers— and book buyers—about their new publications. “Almost nobody whom I invited onto the show refused,” he said. “The Great Books show was a little trickier.”
Guests on the latter show had nothing to hawk generally. “The only thing they had to offer was their love for the topic, and the only thing I could offer them was a platform to express it,” Miller said.
He was frustrated at times when he couldn’t find the right guest to discuss a book he wanted to discuss, or when guests backed out in the 11th hour, which happened “several” times, when they saw that the show was part of National Review.
“They didn’t want to associate with icky conservatives,” Miller said. “Many of the guests, in fact, were liberals, and they were happy to discuss the books they love with anybody, no matter how they voted. They were liberals in the best, old-fashioned sense.”
Once, he had a guest scheduled to talk about a Harlem Renaissance author, and the guest dropped out “for transparently political reasons.” That guest “turned down an opportunity to talk to a National Review audience about the value of the Harlem Renaissance,” Miller said. “I never could understand that.”
The Great Books, to Miller, contain multitudes.
“All the wisdom in the world is in the Great Books. They have different things to say, speak to different matters and often are in conflict with each other,” he said. “But reading them, whether it’s dozens or just a few, is a great way to learn about everything: God, human nature, love, war, freedom, equality, justice and more. It’s all there.”
John J Miller.
TEST YOUR JEWISH IQTM
1. What word means “lunatic” in biblical Hebrew, in Yiddish, and in English slang?
a. Putz
b. Chutzpah
c. Meshuga
d. Shmegegge
2. Which of these Christmas songs was not written or co-written by a Jewish composer?
a. White Christmas
b. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
c. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
d. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
3. Who built the huge edifice above the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron?
a. King David
b. King Solomon
c. Herod
d. Sir Moses Montefiore
4. According to the Torah, which of these happened at Mt. Sinai on the day the Ten Commandments were given?
a. The entire mountain shuddered exceedingly
b. There was thunder, lightning, heavy cloud, fire, and smoke
c. The sound of the shofar was very powerful and grew continually much stronger
d. All of the above
5. Which of these Israeli prime ministers was not a leader in the fight against British occupation of Palestine?
a. David Ben Gurion
b. Menachem Begin
c. Yitzhak Shamir
d. All were leaders in the fight
6. According to the Talmud, how long after the birth of Adam will the world exist before being destroyed?
a. 5,000 years (until 1240 C.E.)
b. 6,000 years (until 2240 C.E.)
c. 7,000 years (until 3240 C.E.)
d. 8,000 years (until 4240 C.E.)
7. Where does the name “Jew” (Yehudi in Hebrew) first appear?
a. In the Torah
b. In the Book of Judges
c. In the Book of Esther
d. In the Talmud
8. Which politician in 1945 became the first Jewish Miss America?
a. Bess Myerson
b. Hedda Gabler
c. Hedy Lamar
d. Vanessa Williams
9. According to the well-known Midrash (Jewish legend), when David fled for his life from King Saul, which animal saved David from being captured by King Saul’s army?
a. A lion
b. An ox
c. A dog
d. A spider
10. Which Israeli cybersecurity startup was sold to Google in 2025 for a record-breaking $32 billion?
a. Wiz
b. SafeStop
c. CyberStop
d. CySafe
Answers on page 21.
LEADING WITH HEART
New leadership at JFS San Diego steps up to meet the moment
PHOTO BY MIGUEL
Fresh, nutritious food for a family working hard to make ends meet. In-home care for a Holocaust survivor so they can age with dignity. A ride to the doctor for an older adult who can’t drive. Support for a Jewish woman seeking safety from an abusive relationship. Diapers for a single parent.
These are just some of the life-changing services that tens of thousands of San Diegans—of all faiths, backgrounds, and ages—receive each year from Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS).
According to JFS’s new leadership duo—CEO Dana Toppel and Board Chair Theresa Dupuis—the needs in our community are growing more urgent and more complex. Together, they are stepping forward determined to meet the moment with compassion, purpose and resolve.
In July, Toppel became only the sixth CEO in JFS’s 107-year history. A licensed social worker with an MBA, she brings more than 25 years of experience in social impact work and has served at JFS for the past 16 years, most recently as chief operating officer.
Dupuis, a native San Diegan and longtime Jewish community leader, served six years on the JFS board before becoming board chair. Known for her warmth, integrity and ability to connect people, she has been a champion for vulnerable populations across the region.
In a recent conversation, Toppel and Dupuis reflected on their personal journeys, their shared values and their vision for the future of Jewish Family Service.
TOPPEL: Theresa, we’ve worked closely for six years now, but I don’t think I’ve ever asked—what first brought you to JFS?
DUPUIS: My journey started as a volunteer serving meals to families in our Safe Parking Program. I was struck by how many of the guests were children—kids doing homework in the back seat of a car. It was eye-opening. That experience led me to get more involved. I’ve always been guided by values of compassion, justice, and community—and those values are at the heart of JFS’s mission.
TOPPEL: That resonates so deeply. One of the things I love about JFS is how we live our Jewish values out loud. Tikkun Olam—repairing the world—is not just a concept. It’s our job description. Whether we’re delivering food, advocating for justice, or helping people find stability, we are putting those values into action every day.
I know your personal connection to Judaism means a lot to
New leadership duo,
CEO Dana Toppel and Board Chair
Teresa Dupuis are stepping forward, determined to meet the moment with compassion, purpose, and resolve.
you. Would you be open to sharing more about that?
DUPUIS: Absolutely. I began the process of converting to Judaism 35 years ago. My husband is Jewish, and we wanted to raise our family with shared values and traditions. As I neared the end of my studies, I met with the late Rabbi Aaron Gold z’’l and told him that I had a deep sense that Judaism was where I belonged, but that I still carried some profound questions about my beliefs. He smiled and said, “Welcome to Judaism.” That moment confirmed that I was on the exact right path. I completed my formal conversion the very next day.
Judaism—and the community it creates—has come to mean everything to me. I love that it makes room for questions and for growth and that it places emphasis on our deep sense of responsibility to one another. That’s what first drew me in, and it’s what continues to sustain me.
TOPPEL: My story is a little different, but I think we landed in similar places. Sixteen years ago, I walked into the lobby at JFS’s Joan & Irwin Jacobs Campus and felt instantly aligned.
My dad was a real estate investor and entrepreneur; my mom was a social worker. I grew up at the intersection of pragmatism and purpose—so JFS felt like home.
Today, more people are facing hunger. Families are struggling to stay housed. Older adults are isolated. And for many, hope feels out of reach. That’s why we’re inviting the community to get involved—volunteer, donate, advocate. It takes all of us. There’s a reason our tagline is “Moving Forward, Together.” We truly couldn’t do this work without our community.
DUPUIS: As we both step into new leadership roles at a critical time—for JFS, for San Diego, and for our country—what do you see as our most urgent priorities?
TOPPEL: I go back to the teaching from Pirkei Avot: “You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” That’s our charge.
JFS has always met the moment —through the Great Depression, wartime, recessions, the pandemic and much more. Our history is one of resilience and reinvention.
Right now, I’m focused on three core priorities for everyone we serve: safe and stable housing, access to nutritious food, and a strong community of support. We may not be able to solve every issue at once, but together we can make real, lasting impact.
DUPUIS: Right. I recently saw someone on NextDoor asking for help, and several neighbors replied, “Call JFS.” It was such a meaningful moment—to see how deeply trusted this organization has become.
One thing I appreciate is how JFS sees each person as a whole. Someone might come to us for groceries or parenting classes, but our professional team takes the time to listen and understand the bigger picture. That holistic approach leads to long-term change.
TOPPEL: That’s exactly right. And while JFS serves people of all backgrounds, many people are surprised to learn just how many Jewish individuals and families turn to us.
There’s a misconception that the Jewish community is somehow insulated from issues like poverty, mental health, relationship violence or food insecurity. But the truth is, these challenges exist in every community including ours.
DUPUIS: And our response must reflect the full range of our community’s needs. Yes, we are here for Holocaust Survivors and Jewish older adults —and we also support Jewish college students, young families, and individuals navigating life transitions. There are people in every generation that need our care and connection.
TOPPEL: I recently met a remarkable young woman—Jewish, formerly homeless, who found safety through our Safe Parking Program. With support from the JFS-David Rubenstein Memorial Scholarship, she’s now in graduate school studying to become a social worker. Her story is one of resilience and a testament to how support at the right moment can change a life forever.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE PROGRAMS, HOW TO DONATE OR VOLUNTEER, VISIT JFSSD.ORG.
GRILLED PEACHES
THE NO-BAKE SUMMER DESSERT YOU DIDN'T KNOW YOU NEEDED
BY TAMAR ROTHENBERG, MS, RDN; AUTHOR, CANCER DIET
FOR THE NEWLY DIAGNOSED
This summer recipe is a warm dessert that doesn’t require baking—Grilled Peaches! Grilling brings out the sweetness of the peach for a simple, satisfying treat. Top it with Greek yogurt or ice cream to transform it into the ultimate comfort dessert.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
• Warm & comforting: this no-bake dessert is warm and cozy, with a different take on peaches.
• Fiber-rich: peaches contain fiber, which can support digestive health, lower cholesterol, and support a healthy microbiome.
• Easy to prepare: This dish is effortless, especially when the grill is already hot from dinner.
Grilled Peaches
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
4 peaches, halved and pits removed
1 Tbs coconut oil, melted 1/4 tsp salt
DIRECTIONS
Prep 1. Wash, halve and remove pits from peaches.
2. Melt coconut oil.
Make
1. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high. (Be sure grates are clean and well oiled).
2. Brush cut side of peaches with coconut oil and place cut side down on grill or on grill pan.
3. Grill just until marks appear on flesh, approximately 5 minutes.
4. Remove from grill and enjoy topped with Greek yogurt or ice cream.
Why this recipe is great:
• Quick and easy: Peaches grill quickly, making them an easy option.
• Flexible: Not a fan of peaches? Try grilling pineapple instead
• Toppable: Grilled peaches go great with a variety of toppings, such as Greek yogurt, non-dairy yogurt, or ice cream.
• Enjoy these Grilled Peaches!
TAMAR ROTHENBERG, MS, RDN, IS A REGISTERED DIETITIAN WHO SPECIALIZES IN BREAST AND OVARIAN CANCER IN HER PRIVATE PRACTICE IN LOS ANGELES. SHE HAS A CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING IN VEGETARIAN NUTRITION AND HERBAL FORMULATIONS IN CANCER CARE; AND CO-LED THE CLINICAL STUDY, COPING WITH CANCER IN THE KITCHEN, PUBLISHED IN NUTRIENTS. TAMAR LENDS HER EXPERTISE TO SHARSHERET THRIVERS THROUGH NUTRITION EDUCATION. CHECK OUT TAMAR’S OTHER RECIPES IN HER BOOK, CANCER DIET FOR THE NEWLY DIAGNOSED: AN INTEGRATIVE GUIDE AND COOKBOOK FOR TREATMENT AND RECOVERY. VISIT TAMAR’S WEBSITE AT HTTPS://WWW.TAMARROTHENBERGRD.COM/ FOR MORE INFORMATION.
THIS RECIPE WAS SUBMITTED BY THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, SHARSHERET: THE JEWISH BREAST CANCER AND OVARIAN CANCER COMMUNITY. IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY BREAST OR OVARIAN CANCER OR HAS ELEVATED GENETIC RISK, CONTACT SHARSHERET FOR FREE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT SHARSHERET.ORG OR CALL (866) 474-2774.
Propelling Education Forward
Even in Times of Crisis
BY RABBI ISAAC CHOUA | JNS.ORG
In the aftermath of the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, a wave of antisemitism has surged across prestigious university campuses. This alarming trend has prompted some Jewish philanthropists to reconsider their commitments, highlighting dissatisfaction with institutional responses to these crises.
This moment compels us to reflect on a broader, more strategic question: What’s next for our support and engagement with higher education?
Historically, when faced with societal exclusion, the Jewish community in America has built essential structures within law firms, hospitals, medical centers, marketing firms and schools, which embody
our values and resilience. These institutions have demonstrated our ability to thrive independently in the face of discrimination. We face similar challenges now, but our response must transcend past efforts, blending innovation with our enduring values.
The surge in campus antisemitism, highlighted by incidents at Columbia University and other prominent schools where protests escalated into safety concerns, calls for a bold reimagining of our support systems. Antisemitism is increasingly mainstream, with the Anti-Defamation League reporting a 360% increase in incidents following Oct. 7.
In the wake of the latest “rupture and reconstruction” in Jewish history, the Shoah and post-1948 events, we have a unique opportunity
A sign in Hebrew welcomes children to first grade at a Chabad school in Safed, Aug. 30, 2023. PHOTO BY DAVID COHEN/FLASH90.S
By creating a stronger Jewish community, one that is more intellectually in tune with our heritage, we can effectively combat societal hate and, more importantly, thrive.
to grow together in person and virtually. We should embrace this chance.
We cannot withdraw from universities. Instead, we must construct new platforms to advance educational goals. Strengthening existing Jewish institutions is crucial, as many Jews cannot afford them, and their educational rigor can always improve. By creating a stronger Jewish community, one that is more intellectually in tune with our heritage, we can effectively combat societal hate and, more importantly, thrive.
New educational initiatives must equip our students with knowledge and resilience. A dedicated fund aimed at expanding our educational resources is essential. This initiative would include direct funding, property investment, and the leveraging of buildings and bonds to reinvest in further projects. Schools would receive predictable, upfront funding for 12 years at discounted rates for Jewish families in need, enhancing stability and educational quality.
At the heart of this approach is an educational fund designed to support Jewish schools with long-term, stable financing. This would alleviate the escalating tuition crisis and ensure high educational standards and financial transparency. Stable funding will allow institutions to focus on delivering a rich educational experience without constant financial strain. This concept draws inspiration from Cooper Union’s historical model, which provided free tuition thanks to a generous endowment and financial support established by its founder, Peter Cooper, and subsequent benefactors such as Andrew Carnegie. They benefited from owning valuable real estate, which generated substantial rental income. Their approach involved lean operations, leading to efficient use of resources.
We must also look to successful international models. Inspired
by French and German schools, we can improve existing brick-andmortar schools rather than rebuild them. We need a comprehensive curriculum that includes Jewish tradition, culture, language and history, modeled after the Alliance Israélite Universelle and the Zilberman method, where Jewish youth learn much of the Torah by heart. Israel’s Ministry of Education and Diaspora can provide resources that educators should leverage. A strong Diaspora in lockstep with Israeli Jews is crucial to maintaining a robust Jewish identity globally, as we can positively influence each other and bridge the gap between our communities.
Moreover, the curriculum requires a comprehensive overhaul, including how to conduct Jewish education for educators. Partnering with Israel’s education ministry, the revised curriculum would encompass Jewish tradition, culture and history. This is about crafting an education that equips younger generations with a deep sense of history, instilling in them the resilience to face modern challenges, including antisemitism.
The ADL’s report underscores the urgency, highlighting a disturbing increase in antisemitic incidents. This necessitates a robust educational response that fortifies younger generations against such hatred.
This crisis calls for visionary leadership reminiscent of past Jewish philanthropists who, faced with adversity, established enduring institutions. Today’s leaders have the opportunity to build on this legacy by funding initiatives that invest in the Jewish community’s long-term vitality. Like Bezalel and Oholiav, the builders of the Tabernacle in ancient times, these leaders would be crafting educational sanctuaries that secure the future of Jewish identity.
By alleviating the burdensome costs of Jewish education, our leaders can liberate future generations, enabling them to thrive without financial constraint. Such an initiative would not be merely funding; it would be a foundational act of building our community’s future, ensuring that our traditions flourish and inspire.
Let us draw inspiration from our history of resilience and innovation. Our response to this crisis will define our legacy, so let it be one of strength, unity and vision. Creating robust, futurefocused institutions is not merely a response to current challenges but a commitment to the enduring spirit and continuity of Jewish life worldwide.
As antisemitism challenges our students and institutions, we must not retreat but advance, building systems that uphold our values and secure our future. This is our call to action: to forge ahead with boldness and purpose, ensuring that our community not only endures but emerges stronger and more vibrant than ever.
RABBI ISAAC CHOUA SERVES AS A RABBINIC ADVISER AND BOARD MEMBER OF THE SEPHARDIC BROTHERHOOD OF AMERICA. THIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JNS.ORG.
HOPE AND HEALING
DURING PEACE AND WAR, HADASSAH'S GANDEL REHABILITIATION CENTER IS ANSWERING THE CALL
With hundreds of Israeli soldiers, civilians, and their families requiring specialized inpatient and outpatient medical and psychological attention, Hadassah Hospital answered the call by accelerating the opening of its new Gandel Rehabilitation Center at Hadassah Hospital Mount Scopus. Within weeks of the
October 7, 2023 attack, Hadassah opened the first 3 floors of this modern, state-of-the-art facility. Originally constructed in 1939, Hadassah Hospital and its Gandel Center consists of people of all faiths working side-by-side to restore health. Today it is the most advanced rehabilitation center in the region. When construction is
complete, the 323,000-square-foot-eight-story center will care for 10,000 patients annually. It will feature 140 inpatient beds and an outpatient clinic able to serve 250 patients per day.
The center has both full and part-time rehabilitation wings which provide physical, neurological, and occupational therapy. Psychologists treat PTSD patients and families as well as those with neurological problems caused by brain, spinal cord, and nervous system injuries. The center houses the latest in equipment and special treatments, including a heated pool for hydrotherapy, anti-gravity treadmills, and sophisticated electronic sports and puzzle games to assist in the recovery of mental faculties and improve hand-eye coordination. There are even two simulation areas made to look like a fully furnished apartment and a supermarket to help patients practice everyday life activities.
THE CENTER STILL NEEDS ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO SEE IT THROUGH TO ITS CULMINATION AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE HOPE AND HEALING. THE BAT HARIM GROUP OF HADASSAH SAN DIEGO IS LEADING THE CHARGE WITH ITS HOPE & HEALING GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY CHALLENGE OF 100 PEOPLE, DONATING AT LEAST $100 EACH, IN 100 DAYS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO HELP MEET THE CHALLENGE, EMAIL RSVPBATHARIM@GMAIL.COM OR DONATE AT WWW.EVENTS. HADASSAH.ORG/GANDELCENTER2025.
ANSWERS TO TEST YOUR JEWISH IQTM
1. c. Meshuga is the biblical Hebrew, Yiddish, and English slang word for lunatic. “Why did this meshuga come to you? (2 Kings 9:11)”
2. d. Brenda Lee’s Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree may be America’s #1 Christmas song. White Christmas was written by the incomparable Irving Berlin. Jewish songwriter Johnny Marks wrote a number of famous Christmas song hits besides Rudolph. Jewish composer Fred Coots created the music for the 1934 hit, Santa Claus is Coming to Town.
3. c. Besides the edifice above the Cave of the Patriarchs, Herod also built the port city of Caesaria, fortifications around Jerusalem and towers at the entrance, fortresses at Masada, Antonia, and Herodium, and much more. Sir Moses Montefiore expanded the Tomb of Rachel in 1841.
4. d. All of the above (Exodus 19:16-19).
5. a. Ben Gurion headed the Jewish Agency, which tried not to antagonize the British. Begin, as a leader of the Irgun, had a bounty put on his head by the British. Shamir was a leader of Lehi, called the “Stern Gang” by the British.
6. b. “Rav Katina said: For six thousand years [until 2240 C.E.] will the world exist, and for one thousand years it will be destroyed [Sanhedrin, 97a].”
7. c. “There was a man a Yehudi in Shushan the capital whose name was Mordecai … (Esther 2.5).” The name “Jew” comes from the royal tribe Judah, Yehuda in Hebrew. The Hebrew root of the name means thanks.
8. a. Myerson’s victory in the aftermath of the Holocaust was seen as an affirmation of the Jewish place in American life. In 1983, Williams was crowned the first African-American Miss America.
9. d. In the Otzar Midrashim of ben Sira, David hides in a cave. A spider spins a web over the entrance of the cave, causing King Saul’s soldiers to bypass the cave in their search, thinking no one could have recently entered.
10. a. Google’s deal to acquire Wiz is the largest exit in Israel’s high-tech history and the largest acquisition in Google’s history.
0 – 2 Talmid/Talmida (Student)
3 – 5 Melamed/Melamedet (Teacher)
6 – 8 Talmid Chacham/Talmidat Chacham (Scholar)
9 – 10 Gaon/Gaona (Genius)
Your comments are welcome at Felber@Jewish-IQ.com
FUELING BREAKTHROUGHS
THE DIABETES RESEARCH CONNECTION (DRC)
Discover an organization dedicated to advancing cures for type 1 diabetes (T1D) by connecting early-career researchers with donors to bring groundbreaking ideas to life—the Diabetes Research Connection (DRC). Based in San Diego, DRC’s renowned Scientific Review Committee brings together more than 74 top scientific minds, all volunteering their expertise to identify the most promising projects and provides crucial seed funding to accelerate innovative research aimed at preventing, treating, and curing T1D.
T1D is a life-threatening autoimmune disease and one of the fastest growing, non-communicable, chronic health conditions on the planet. There are over 9.4 million people living with T1D worldwide, a number is expected to double by 2040. Even with advances in technology, managing T1D is a constant, life-threatening challenge. Those with T1D must rely on insulin to stay alive, but insulin is a treatment, not a cure, and DRC’s vision is a world free of T1D.
You can be part of the breakthrough by joining DRC for its annual Dance for Diabetes fundraiser on September 27 at 5 p.m. at the La Valle Coastal Club in Rancho Santa Fe. This pivotal event raises essential funds to advance groundbreaking T1D research, supporting innovative projects that have the potential to change lives.
More than an evening out, Dance for Diabetes unites a passionate community determined to accelerate progress toward a cure. Attendees will enjoy live music, curated cuisine, and exclusive live and silent auctions while hearing inspiring stories from researchers
and individuals impacted by T1D. By attending or supporting this event, you directly help champion cutting-edge research with the power to change the future of T1D.
DRC was co-founded in 2012 by David Winkler, JD, alongside three UCSD scientists to address the critical lack of funding for early-career T1D researchers with groundbreaking ideas. A tireless advocate for diabetes research and a T1D patient himself, David now serves on DRC’s Board of Directors as Chief Financial Officer.
His personal journey fuels DRC’s mission: “Since I was a child diagnosed with T1D at age 6, it has been a dream of mine to help find a cure for T1D. Finally, we are getting closer due to the extraordinary efforts of DRC’s funded investigators, our staff, and volunteers.”
“With massive NIH funding cuts, support of DRC’s vetted researchers is more critical than ever before. We are on the cusp of a cure.”
David reflects on a recent success story which highlights the groundbreaking work made possible by donor support - Dr. Leonardo Ferreira, a DRC-funded scientist developing an innovative approach to help the immune system accept transplanted beta cells without attacking them. His technology uses Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells to shield these beta cells, which produce insulin in response to blood glucose levels.
“This potential cure for T1D, without the need for lifelong immunosuppression, could be the holy grail,” David says.
Dr. Leonardo Ferreira.
At the June 2025 American Diabetes Association annual conference, Dr. Ferreira presented results showing that one patient may have been cured of T1D the need for immunosuppressive drugs—a historic milestone. This technology has been licensed to Sana, a Swedish pharmaceutical company, which also presented at the conference.
Dr. Ferreira explains that combining stem cell engineering with regulatory T cell (Treg) engineering is a first step toward an off-theshelf treatment for T1D.
“Most of the cells of the immune system are focused on killing invasive elements,” Ferreira explains, “but Tregs are the generals of the immune system. They make sure that nothing goes overboard, and they train the immune system on how to respond in the future.”
Although further research is necessary, the promising results from lab trials mark a potential turning point in diabetes care. Dr. Ferreira is optimistic about using these engineered Tregs as “living drugs” and sees potential for this approach to extend beyond T1D to other autoimmune diseases and certain cancers.
This project exemplifies the cutting-edge research DRC champions, innovation with the potential to transform the future of T1D care.
Winkler highlights the impact of DRC’s work: “Ten of our researchers now have their own labs in part due to DRC’s support of their innovative projects. To date, DRC has funded 80 projects at a cost of over $4 million in seed funds, resulting in over $56 million in
Be a part of the breakthrough by joining DRC for an annual Dance for Diabetes fundraiser on September 27 at 5 p.m. in Rancho Santa Fe.
follow-on- funding – a 14.5x ROI!”
“By year-end we expect to have committed to fund an additional 20 T1D research projects across the nation for a total of 100 projects at a cost of $5 million. To the best of our knowledge, as of early 2025, DRC awarded more T1D research grants to early career scientists this year than the NIH or any other nonprofit.”
With NIH research grants being reduced or defunded, demand for DRC’s grants in 2025 are nearly three times the typical numbers received per year.
“We need your help,” emphasizes Winkler. “Donations remain our biggest limitation, and we can’t fund every promising early-stage T1D project that our experts carefully vet. Your support can change that—please join us in the fight to cure T1D by donating through our website.”
EXPLORE MORE GROUNDBREAKING DISCOVERIES FROM DRC-FUNDED SCIENTISTS BY VISITING DIABETESRESEARCHCONNECTION.ORG.
David Winkler.
SHALOM, TOASTMASTERS
BY FRANKLIN FELBER
Shalom Speakers Toastmasters officers, members, and supporters include (L-R) Margarita Pinhas, Richard Jennings, Diana Lerner, Jon Berman, Megan Hurley, and Alex Dovgalevsky.
Toastmasters International has arrived at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center in La Jolla. And you don’t have to be a member of the JCC to join, though JCC membership is encouraged.
The newly chartered Shalom Speakers Toastmasters club at the JCC has some unique attractions and advantages over the other 14,000 Toastmasters clubs worldwide.
“There’s something special about being in a Jewish setting like the JCC,” says Diana Lerner, the new President. “Many Shalom Speakers members share common cultural background, values, and language references. Speeches might include Hebrew phrases, Jewish humor, Yiddish expressions, or insights from Jewish texts, like Ethics of the Fathers or the Talmud, and speeches might align with seasonal themes, like spring cleaning around Passover.”
“Meetings typically avoid scheduling conflicts with Jewish holidays. And of course, we share the benefits of the top-rated security system and all the other amenities of the JCC, including the glatt kosher
Harissa Mediterranean Kitchen,” added Ms. Lerner.
In Shalom Speakers, experienced speakers are paired as mentors with new members, who are encouraged from their first meeting to participate at the edge of their comfort zone. There are many speaking roles at each weekly one-hour meeting, including functionaries, evaluators, and impromptu and prepared speakers, giving just about everyone a chance to speak at each meeting.
The Shalom Speakers Toastmasters club is unusual in having a high ratio of those who have transformed themselves into speakers at the highest levels to those who are just starting their public-speaking journey. The highest level of speaking proficiency in Toastmasters is Distinguished Toastmaster. Attaining this DTM level typically takes years in Toastmasters and involves completing numerous speeches and projects, according to Margarita Pinhas, Founder of Shalom Speakers Toastmasters and a DTM herself.
The idea to found Shalom Speakers came to Ms. Pinhas after October 7th, she says. Despite English not being her first language,
“Many Shalom Speakers members share common cultural background, values, and language references. Speeches may include Hebrew phrases, Jewish humor, Yiddish expressions, or insights from Jewish texts.”
Ms. Pinhas has won many international speech contests. “When I became a Professional Speaker, Wellness Success Coach, and TEDx Coach, I realized how powerful Toastmasters could be. Whether you’re brand new or a seasoned speaker, this is where your voice becomes your power. And whether you attend in person or virtually, you’ll be met with warmth, encouragement, and the space to grow.”
Now Ms. Pinhas is an active mentor of new members along with Distinguished Toastmaster Jon Berman, who took the lead with Ms. Pinhas in growing the new club. Other highly experienced DTMs supporting the club are Megan Hurley, who helps train Toastmaster officers throughout San Diego, and Richard Jennings and Peter Merrick.
Richard Jennings, a DTM with decades of Toastmaster experience, joined Shalom Speakers mainly because the relatively small size of this new club offered more opportunities for speaking than the larger, older clubs in San Diego. He says the role of DTMs, such as
himself, is to move the club from good to great.
Peter Merrick, TEP, is a professional speaker who has published several textbooks and whose work, articles, and interviews have been published over 800 times in national media. Mr. Merrick joined Shalom Speakers because he likes to mentor new clubs.
“Guests are welcome to attend meetings of Shalom Speakers Toastmasters, which are held every Monday evening from 7:00 to 8:00 in the JCC library or a nearby room,” says Frank Felber, VP of Public Relations.
Among the many benefits of joining Shalom Speakers, according to Ms. Lerner, are overcoming a fear of public speaking, improving leadership and presentation skills, networking, and simply learning new things. “Shalom Speakers is just a great way to improve speaking skills, make new friends, and be inspired by others. Come join us for a meeting where you will be warmly welcomed and genuinely entertained.”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT SHALOM SPEAKERS TOASTMASTERS, CONTACT MARGARITA PINHAS AT MARGARITAPINHAS@GMAIL.COM OR (760) 405-7077.
JEWISH MEN'S CHOIR TO MAKE CARNEGIE HALL DEBUT
BY SUZANNE PARLETT
“Who would have believed that our little San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir would be making their Carnegie Hall debut, but we are, and you all can be a part of our journey!” announced Shaun Edelstein, choir board member, during a recent performance on Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s music concert series. As the audience gasped, Edelstein went on to explain that the group would be performing their
“Celebration of Love” concert on Valentine’s Day, Feb.14, 2026 in Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, 8:00pm, as part of the Distinguished Concerts International New York series.
After the concert I spoke about this further with choir director, Ruth Weber. Weber explained that the group had been accepted in the past, but they were unable to fund the airfare and hotel expenses
involved in getting 25 members to New York. “You know, we just thought what a great opportunity, let’s do it! But then reality set in, and we had to withdraw our application,” said Weber. “People always say, how do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, Practice, Practice! We thought, we’ve been doing that every week for over 20 years, but we just didn’t figure on the expense involved in physically transporting the group to the hall itself! We are older and wiser now, and have started a fundraising campaign. Each member has made their own contribution, and we have received generous donations from people who love what we do and want us to go as music ambassadors— spreading our message of love, understanding, and peace to the East Coast through music. We are a third of the way to our goal, and donors can have their names listed on our website or in the program. Due to the excitement of our upcoming Carnegie Hall debut, we have a few new younger members that have joined, which is a great
bonus. We are always looking for more members, and of course we would love to have people come and cheer us on at the Concert Hall as well!”
THE SAN DIEGO JEWISH MEN’S CHOIR WILL PERFORM A FREE CARNEGIE HALL PREVIEW CONCERT ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2025 AT 3 P.M. IN THE SOCIAL HALL AT CONGREGATION BETH EL, LOCATED AT 8660 GILMAN DRIVE., LA JOLLA, CA 92037. THIS IS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO HEAR MANY OF THE SELECTIONS THAT WILL BE PERFORMED AT THE CARNEGIE HALL CONCERT IN FEBRUARY. TO REQUEST YOUR FREE TICKETS CALL THE SYNAGOGUE OFFICE AT (858) 452-1734. IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND THE CONCERT BUT WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THE CHOIR’S JOURNEY TO CARNEGIE HALL, YOU CAN MAKE A TAX-FREE DONATION THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.SDJMC.ORG/DONATECONTACT.
NEWS TO KNOW NOW
WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT
SAN DIEGO JEWISH ACADEMY LAUNCHES 50% TUITION CREDIT FOR JEWISH PROFESSIONALS
In a powerful statement of commitment to Jewish continuity and education, San Diego Jewish Academy (SDJA) is proud to announce a new initiative offering a 50% tuition credit for fulltime Jewish professionals working at synagogues, Jewish nonprofits, and Jewish community organizations.
Inspired by the message shared by author and Jewish thought leader Dan Senor, who urged the Jewish community to focus its efforts on strengthening the next generation, SDJA is taking bold action to support families who dedicate their lives to Jewish communal work.
“We believe the best way to secure our future is by educating proud, capable, and compassionate young Jews,” said Zvi Weiss, Head of School. “This initiative is a way for SDJA to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those already working on the front lines of Jewish life and help ensure their children can thrive in a school rooted in Jewish values and academic excellence.”
For more information about eligibility and how to apply, visit www.sdja. com or email KCopans@sdja.com .
SAN DIEGO PHILANTHROPISTS TO JOIN THOUSANDS AT GLOBAL CONFERENCE FOR ISRAEL
A delegation from San Diego will join over 2,500 passionate supporters of the land and people of Israel Oct. 23–26, 2025, at The Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, Fla., for Jewish National Fund-USA’s Global Conference for Israel—one of the world’s premier gatherings for philanthropy, advocacy, and Zionist engagement. Together, attendees will Unite for Israel’s Future through meaningful connection, bold ideas, and an unwavering commitment to building what comes next.
The multi-day event showcasing the pride and beauty of Zionism will unite philanthropists, congressional leaders, activists, Israelis whose lives have been transformed by decades of support from Jewish National Fund-USA, and individuals who are passionate about celebrating a strong and prosperous future for the Jewish Homeland.
Leading speakers from Israel will also share first-hand accounts about the realities on the ground two years after the devastating terrorist attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, and provide updates about rebuilding initiatives underway in Israel’s North and South.
“Through every challenge, we have overcome, fueled by an unshakable spirit and an unbreakable bond with our ancient homeland,” said Jewish National Fund-USA’s Chairman Dr. Sol Lizerbram. “Now, more than ever, Israel needs us, and we need Israel.
Our Global Conference for Israel is more than just a gathering— it’s a call to action, a celebration of resilience, and a reaffirmation of our eternal connection to our land and people of Israel. Together, we will celebrate Israel’s future by uplifting stories of strength, solidarity, and shared destiny.”
From dozens of intimate breakout discussions to large-scale plenaries featuring keynote addresses by esteemed speakers from across the globe, the conference will offer attendees the opportunity to engage meaningfully with those who have helped shape Israel’s past, present, and future.
The conference will feature over 100 sessions tailored for the diverse
“Through every challenge, we have overcome, fueled by an unshakable spirit and an unbreakable bond with our ancient homeland,” said Jewish National Fund-USA Chairman Dr. Sol Lizerbram. “Now more than ever, Israel needs us, and we need Israel.”
array of attendees, including college students, faculty members, young professionals, older adults, rabbinical attendees, major philanthropists, those beyond the Jewish faith, and more.
Additionally, a variety of unique experiences will be featured throughout the conference, including an Israel Expo with complimentary swag and Israeli goods for sale, an evening of comedy, a movie night, a catered Shabbat dinner, a young professionals after party, a “Chopped”-style cooking competition, and an exclusive musical performance by Israel’s beloved Special in Uniform Band.
“This conference is about building partnerships, reaffirming commitments, and leaving with a deeper sense of purpose—and pride—for what we can achieve together,” said Jewish National FundUSA’s San Diego Board President and National Sapphire Society Cochair Jacqui Schneider. “The Global Conference for Israel is a beacon of light, drawing dreamers, defenders, and doers who believe that the story of the Jewish People is still unfolding—and that by coming together, we celebrate Israel’s future with vision and purpose.”
For more information, including a full list of speakers, Conference Chairs, and programming (in formation), or to register for the Global Conference for Israel, visit jnf.org/global.
ISRAEL LAUNCHES FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND
AI SANDBOX FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION
The Israeli Ministry of Education and the Israel Innovation Authority announced on Tuesday the launch of a first-of-its-kind regulatory sandbox aimed at integrating artificial intelligence into public classrooms. Backed by an initial investment of 10 million shekels
($2.98 million), the initiative will allow Israeli tech companies to develop, test and deploy personalized AI-powered learning tools directly in schools.
Part of Israel’s National Artificial Intelligence Program, the sandbox provides participating companies with real-world pilot environments, regulatory flexibility and financial support to foster innovation in a tightly regulated sector. A public call for proposals was issued recently.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Education Minister Yoav Kisch. “We are not reacting to the future, but shaping it.”
The program seeks to address global challenges such as teacher shortages, educational inequality and overcrowded classrooms by promoting adaptive, student-centered technologies that meet national standards for privacy and cybersecurity.
Unlike limited international pilots, Israel’s model aims to create scalable, system-wide solutions that embed high-tech innovation into the heart of the classroom. Over the past year, more than 110,000 teachers have been trained and hundreds of thousands of students exposed to smart learning tools.
Israeli Minister of Innovation Gila Gamliel described the project as a “deep conceptual shift” that will make quality education more accessible, especially to underserved communities.
“With artificial intelligence, we are paving a new path that allows every student in Israel to learn in a personalized way, according to their pace, style and unique needs,” said Gamliel. “This initiative removes barriers, narrows gaps, and makes quality education accessible to the periphery, to under-represented populations, and to students with diverse challenges.”
Keren Nevo, VP of Growth at the Israel Innovation Authority, called the initiative a “real revolution” that will give Israeli EdTech a global edge.
Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch (second from left) and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion (center) visit Israeli children at their classroom on the first day of school in Jerusalem, Sept. 1, 2024. Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90.
