Category: Blog


Reflections from Poland – March of the Living

April 25, 2025

Image for: Reflections from Poland – March of the Living

Dear Friends: People have asked us why we joined Jewish Federation of San Diego’s March of the Living mission—and why we agreed to co-chair the trip. For each of us, […]


From Darkness to Light: Why We Remember, Mourn, and Celebrate in This Order

April 18, 2025

Image for: From Darkness to Light: Why We Remember, Mourn, and Celebrate in This Order

Shabbat Shalom, friends,  Soon – and every year around this time – the State of Israel and Jews around the world take part in a deeply emotional journey. Within the […]


Why the Passover Story Still Speaks to Us Today

April 11, 2025

Image for: Why the Passover Story Still Speaks to Us Today

Dear friends, Tomorrow night, like millions of Jews around the world, I will sit at a seder table with family and friends to retell the story of Passover and our […]


Shabbat Reflections from a Busy Week

April 4, 2025

Image for: Shabbat Reflections from a Busy Week

Dear friends, Every Monday morning, our entire Federation staff sits down for a 30-minute “huddle.” We talk about what’s happening in the world, share joyful simchas and heartbreaking tragedies, reflect […]


Jewish Life is Built Together

March 24, 2025

Star of David necklace in palm of hand

Dear friends, San Diego’s Jewish community has shaped my life in profound ways, and I am honored and excited to step into the role of Jewish Federation of San Diego’s […]


Collecting Moments of Hope

September 19, 2024

Image for: Collecting Moments of Hope

Dear friends, A week after October 7th, my family and I went to the wedding of the daughter of some of our closest friends, whom we have known for a […]


100 Days.

January 12, 2024

From the desk of Heidi Gantwerk

This Sunday marks 100 days. One hundred days since the “Black Sabbath;” since more than 200 Israelis and foreign nationals were taken into Gaza as hostages. One hundred days of […]


Marking One Month

November 11, 2023

From the desk of Heidi Gantwerk

Dear Friends, This past week, marking the one-month mark since the October 7 Hamas attack, has brought equal parts inspiration and joy and grief and anger. I want to start […]


A Weekend of Reflection: Shabbat Shalom and G'mar Chatimah Tovah

September 22, 2023

Image for: A Weekend of Reflection: Shabbat Shalom and G'mar Chatimah Tovah

Dear Friends, This week, in preparation for Yom Kippur and the demanding work of teshuvah (repentance), I spent some time looking back at 5783, and all of the communications we […]


Looking Back- 1 Year into the War in Ukraine

February 24, 2023

From the desk of Heidi Gantwerk

Dear Friends, It is hard to believe that today marks a full year to the day since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. And even more disturbing is that there is […]

Jewish in San Diego logo

Connect with Us

Sign up today to learn more about us and to come to one of our upcoming events!