The Jewish Women’s Foundation (JWF) held their Annual Meeting at the end of April. This event was the first in person event in over two years and was well attended. JWF welcomed inspiring author, Lillian Faderman, who recently wrote the book Woman - The American History of an Idea. We thank JWF Council member Liz Nederlander Coden for hosting us in her beautiful home.

Beth Sirull, President and CEO of the Jewish Community Foundation, led a conversation with Lillian, who shared her colorful background where she gets her courage from, and some of her favorite notable Jewish women from American history.

Jessica Effress, current Council Member and immediate past JWF Chair, presented Marcia Hazan a special gift to honor her continued leadership in JWF. Marcia has been instrumental on various JWF initiative grants committees since 2006 and has had a multitude of other roles in which she has been an affective contributor and furthered the JWF mission as an ambassador.

JWF is currently planning for a robust second year of our current grants initiative with social and educational events and volunteer opportunities. For more information about JWF and how you can become a member, please contact Sarah Schatz at sarah@jcfsandiego.org.

We were delighted that, for the first time in 3 years, the Jewish Teen Foundation was able to hold its first Check Ceremony in-person. Fifty Jewish high school students, parents, and nonprofit representatives gathered at Congregation Beth Am to deliver grants totaling over $23,000 to anti-Semitism education and veterans’ homelessness organizations.

These six organizations, selected by the students after an extensive RFP and interview process, was a testament to their passion, determination, and teamwork in a year where they had to adapt to a hybrid in-person/online program and nonetheless accomplish all the program objectives.

For more information on the Jewish Teen Foundation, please contact Rachael Cunningham at (858) 279-2740 x125 or rachael@jcfsandiego.org.

Jessica Ludwig joins JCF as our new Grants Officer where she will work closely with some of our most engaged donors as well as the organizations they support. Jessica will oversee new grant processes and help to guide us in grantmaking services on behalf of our generous donors. She begins after nearly 20 years in the nonprofit industry, working in museums and informal education both nationally and abroad. Having worked on both sides of philanthropy, she brings a unique insight into the needs of nonprofit organizations as well as the many ways in which the community can support.

A Southern California native, Jessica received her master’s degree in International Museum Studies from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and professional certificate in Grant Writing both from San Diego State University. She has family nearby and a sister in Colorado, and enjoys spending her time watching soccer, practicing yoga, and soaking up the sun whenever possible.

Every Friday night, Amy and Adam Jacobs light the Shabbat candles with their baby daughter Aylana and use that moment to pause and reflect on the week. Their shared practice of regular reflection, guides them in their many leadership roles – including at this summer’s San Diego JCC Maccabi Games – and in their philanthropy as JCF Donor Advised Fund holders.

While Amy and Adam grew up in different environments, they share similar values. Amy was raised in a relatively modest setting in Edmonton, Canada, while Adam grew up in San Diego and is the son of Jerri-Ann and Gary Jacobs and grandson of Joan and Irwin Jacobs, who co-founded Qualcomm. But giving back was equally important to both families, and Amy and Adam make it a priority to work together on their philanthropy.

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

Recently more than a hundred individuals and families gathered at Congregation Beth Am to attend the Community-wide Signing Ceremony. Over fifty new personal statements were shared and inscribed in the Book of Life.

The Book of Life is the pinnacle of the Create a Jewish Legacy program, presented by the Jewish Community Foundation San Diego. Anyone can submit a personal statement for the Book of Life once they have committed to include a Jewish organization in their charitable estate plans, or who have made a meaningful contribution to a current endowment fund benefiting a Jewish organization.