The 2022 Peter Chortek Leadership Award (PCLA) recipients gathered on Sunday, March 20 for a celebration brunch at the home of Susan Chortek Weisman and Eric Weisman. These phenomenal, Jewish high school students were celebrated for making a difference in our community through their innovative leadership.

In attendance were the recipients, their parents and other relatives, and many of the PCLA committee members. Beth Sirull, JCF President and CEO, opened the awards program noting how much we miss Elaine Chortek (z"l) who established the award in memory of her husband, Peter (z"l). The selection committee now includes the third generation of Chorteks, comprised of Elaine's (z"l) and Peter’s (z"l) four grandchildren.

On March 27, 2022, more than a hundred individuals and families gathered at Congregation Beth Am to attend the Community-wide Book of Life Signing Ceremony. Over forty personal statements were shared and inscribed in the Book of Life. A video of this special occasion will be coming soon.

Anyone can submit a personal statement for the Book of Life who has committed to include a Jewish organization in their after-lifetime plans, or who has contributed to a current endowment fund benefiting a Jewish organization. The Book of Life is the pinnacle of the Create a Jewish Legacy program, presented by the Jewish Community Foundation. The Book of Life symbolizes promises from one generation to the next -- promises that ensure the long-term strength and vibrancy of our Jewish community. The Book itself is a treasured community archive and housed here at our offices.

We will be holding a smaller ceremony at our office on May 4, 2022, for those that were unable to attend. For more information about this second ceremony, or the Book of Life and leaving a legacy, please contact Sharleen Wollach at:

(858) 279-2740 x110 or sharleen@jcfsandiego.org.

The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians. Our fund holders are supporting a wide array of organizations, and while this is not a comprehensive list, it does provide resources of agencies providing relief on the ground.

As we prepare to celebrate Passover in the warmth of our homes and the embrace of our loved ones, it’s impossible not to think of the Ukrainian refugees, among them tens of thousands of Jews, that will spend this holiday fleeing or being bombed.

The Jewish Funders Network (JFN) and UJA-Federation of New York have set up an immediate emergency matching grant, to provide urgent Passover assistance to thousands of Jews and their neighbors in Ukraine and neighboring countries.

All donations will support matzah and Passover food distribution to residents still in Ukraine, as well as communal seders for displaced refugees and the heroic volunteers helping them in neighboring countries.

Taking care of family is everything for Suzanne and Brian Marcus. So it was a natural step for the couple to recently establish a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) for each of their adult children. They are deeply committed to ensuring a vibrant and secure Jewish future for their own family, and also their extended Jewish families in both San Diego and their country of birth, South Africa.

Sara and Mitch Wagner agreed to be profiled as Donor Advised Fund holders only to encourage others to use their wealth for good. But it’s hard not to discuss their touchingly romantic love story, which included dueling engagement proposals, as well as Mitch’s passion for animals and repairing the world.

Mitch had a successful career as a trial lawyer in San Diego. Among his notable cases was the 2007 wildfire litigation against San Diego Gas & Electric in which Mitch and colleagues represented hundreds of families who lost homes and suffered other losses.

The Jewish Community Foundation is pleased to spotlight families making an impact through their philanthropy. If you or your family would like to be featured, please let us know. Ollie@jcfsandiego.org

On March 24, as part of our giv4 homelessness in san diego initiative, donors volunteered and participated in a site tour at a giv4 grantee Serving Seniors' Gary & Mary West Senior Wellness Center. They prepared and served lunch to seniors and learned about the nutrition, housing, social services, activities, and advocacy work of Serving Seniors.

The University of San Diego's Nonprofit Institute presented the 2022 Kaleidoscope Award for Good Governance to three organizations this year, including Jewish Family Service of San Diego.

Jewish Family Service provides critical food assistance, support for seniors, safe spaces for people living out of their vehicles, employment services, counseling, and refugee resettlement.

"The process of strengthening our governance has been one of incredible teamwork. And as we wrote the application and associated supporting materials, it was a joy to reflect on the outstanding work of JFS and the parts that our board and committees play in supporting JFS' far-reaching and impactful work to improve the lives of people in our San Diego community," said Board Chair Emily Jennewein.

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