Our Two Shekels

My Two Shekels: We’re Still in Business



Did you catch last week’s edition of eNews? The subject line was “Federation is Closing,” and as our outgoing Board Chair Brian Tauber hoped, his final article provoked a range of reactions. Dozens of calls and emails flooded our office from supporters, friends, and interested comm…

My Two Shekels: Bad Jewish Jokes with Michael Jeser


A classic Jewish joke to start Shabbat off right!

My Two Shekels: A Community is Too Heavy to Carry Alone


In the aftermath of the horrific attack on Chabad of Poway on April 27, our entire Jewish community mobilized to respond and support those impacted as they began the long process of recovery and healing. We know from our own biblical text that, a community is too heavy to carry alone (Deut…

My Two Shekels: The Secret Sauce


Our work is made possible by the exceptionally dedicated, compassionate and devoted stakeholders in our community.  Among those stakeholders are our own Federation staff.  These impressive and caring professionals work with donors, community members, families, and institutions day in and …

My Two Shekels: Check Your Assumptions at the Door


In 2004, I graduated with two Masters Degrees, one from the USC School of Social Work and one from Hebrew Union College (HUC) Zelikow School of Nonprofit Management (formerly School of Jewish Communal Service). Those 2 years of studying solidified that I was on the right path to serve the J…