Meet Your Federation Board of Directors

Board Chair
Jeff Schindler
Jeff Schindler, Board Chair of Jewish Federation of San Diego, is a CPA, career CFO, and real estate investor, with leadership experience in San Diego-based companies and Jewish non-profits. The son of Holocaust survivors, Rose and Max Schindler (z”l), he has deep ties to the local Jewish community. Jeff helped steer his community in his role as co-President of Temple Emanu-El during the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to helping to lead his synagogue, Jeff recently led the restoration of San Diego’s original 1972 Holocaust memorial monument, which is now proudly housed at the Jewish Federation building. Jeff also co-chaired the recent San Diego Jewish Federation March of The Living Delegation to Poland.
As Board Chair, Jeff is focused on expanding the Goldberg Center for Holocaust Education, including launching a mobile museum and classroom, engaging the next generation of leaders and philanthropists, continuing Federation’s strong partnership with Israel and her people, and combating antisemitism through coalition and community. Jeff is a native San Diegan, and he has been married for over 33 years to his beloved wife, Rachel, and they are the proud parents of three grown children, Moriah, Joey, and Jonny.
2026 – 2027 Executive Committee
Simone Abelsohn
Director-at-Large
David Bark
Immediate Past Board Chair
Melissa Brill
Women's Philanthropy Board Chair
Kira Finkenberg
Director-at-Large
Heidi Gantwerk
President & CEO of Jewish Federation
Allison Hauser Erickson
Vice Co-Chair, Campaign
Sonia Israel
Vice Chair and Chair Elect
Larry Katz
Treasurer
Ingram Losner
Vice Co-Chair, Campaign
Jack Maizel
Director-at-Large
Meryl Maneker
Secretary
Robert Rubenstein
Director-at-Large
Jeff Schindler
Board Chair
Elliot Scott
Director-at-Large
2026 – 2027 Board of Directors
David Bark
Immediate Past Board Chair
Tina Beranbaum
Director-at-Large
Melissa Brill
Women's Philanthropy Board Chair
Silvana Christy
Director-at-Large
Debbie Deverett
Director-at-Large
Ronit Droker
Director-at-Large
Kira Finkenberg
Director-at-Large
Heidi Gantwerk
President & CEO of Jewish Federation
Allison Hauser Erickson
Vice Co-Chair, Campaign
Sonia Israel
Vice Chair and Chair Elect
Sara Kabakoff
Women’s Philanthropy Campaign Co-Chair
Larry Katz
Treasurer
Debbie Kornberg
Director-at-Large
Seth Krosner
Director-at-Large
Michael Levinson
Jewish Community Foundation Board Chair
Ingram Losner
Vice Co-Chair, Campaign
Jack Maizel
Director-at-Large
Meryl Maneker
Secretary
Jeremy Pearl
Permanent Guest / Jewish Community Foundation CEO
Lisa Pearl
Director-at-Large
Marisa Polin Nelson
Women's Philanthropy Campaign Co-Chair
Robert Rubenstein
Director-at-Large
Shari Schenk
Director-at-Large
Jeff Schindler
Board Chair
Elliot Scott
Director-at-Large
Charlene Seidle
Permanent Guest/Jewish Community Foundation CPO
Sarah Shekhter
Director-at-Large
Victor Shlionsky
Director-at-Large
Elizabeth Siegler
Director-at-Large
Howard Somers
Director-at-Large

