Points of Pride: All Made Possible By You
05/29/2025
Welcome to the May 2025 edition of “Points of Pride,” an inside look at Jewish Federation of San Diego’s latest accomplishments and initiatives made possible by your support. From community-building efforts to impactful programs, these highlights reflect the power of our collective contributions.
Leadership in Action: Celebrating Growth and Connection
This spring, Federation celebrated a vibrant season of leadership development with milestones across three impactful programs, each helping to shape the future of Jewish San Diego. The Pauline Foster Women’s Leadership Institute (PFWLI) concluded its fourth cohort with a heartfelt celebration of growth, sisterhood, and purpose-driven leadership. Federation also proudly wrapped up Leading 2gether, a unique program for young couples that fostered personal and shared leadership while building stronger connections to Jewish life and community. The Courageous Leadership Initiative (CLI), developed in partnership with the Shalom Hartman Institute, brought together Executive, Board, and—for the first time—Clergy cohorts to explore complex questions around identity, pluralism, Israel, and Jewish leadership. Rather than traditional skills training, CLI offered deep, values-driven learning and dialogue, rooted in Jewish texts and ideas. These programs cultivate a new generation of passionate, prepared, and connected changemakers, made possible by your belief in the power of leadership. Click here to learn more about our work in leadership.
Honoring History, Embracing Resilience
Last month, 44 San Diegans participated in the International March of the Living, joining more than 7,000 Jews and 80 Holocaust survivors from around the world for a moving journey from Auschwitz to Birkenau. In Poland, participants heard powerful testimonies, honored the memory of those lost, and deepened their understanding of the Holocaust’s lasting impact. Many continued on to Israel, where the experience shifted from remembrance to resilience. In Sha’ar HaNegev, Federation’s sister city, the group toured local projects we support, met with residents committed to rebuilding and healing, and spent an evening with young adults at a community-built pub, where music and conversation offered moments of Jewish joy and connection. They also visited other significant sites across the country—including the grounds of the Nova Music Festival—where they witnessed the aftermath of October 7 and stood in solidarity with communities still recovering. From Poland to Israel, this journey was a powerful reflection on memory, identity, and the enduring strength of the Jewish people. To view more photos from their journey, click here.
Giborim: Building Tomorrow’s Jewish Leadership Today
Giborim, a dynamic leadership development program created in partnership with JPro San Diego and Rabbi Yael Ridberg, bringing together young professionals from 12 Jewish organizations across San Diego, Giborim is fostering cross-institutional collaboration, personal growth, and deep connections with our sister city, Sha’ar HaNegev. They recently completed their fifth session, continuing to build trust, expand their leadership capacity, and strengthen their shared commitment to Jewish communal life. As they prepare to welcome a visiting delegation from Sha’ar HaNegev to San Diego this August, Giborim is already planting the seeds of long-term partnership and purpose. By investing in emerging leaders and strengthening global relationships, this initiative is helping to build a vibrant and resilient Jewish future. Learn more about our efforts to support young adults in San Diego here.
Uniting for a Safer, Stronger San Diego
Federation joined The Finest Community Coalition, a bold, community-wide initiative committed to combating rising antisemitism and ensuring San Diego remains a place where every Jew can live safely, proudly, and openly. Embracing the spirit of “America’s Finest City,” the coalition brings together Jewish and non-Jewish leaders, organizations, and independent initiatives to align strategies, share best practices, and respond collectively to hate. By strengthening collaboration across sectors and amplifying education and advocacy, the Coalition is creating a united front to address antisemitism and foster a more connected, resilient, and inclusive San Diego. Click here to learn more about The Finest Community Coalition or follow their Instagram and Facebook for updates & news.
The Yoms: From Remembrance to Resilience
Our community moved through a sacred arc of memory, mourning, and celebration as we marked Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom HaAtzmaut together. At our Yom HaShoah commemoration, more than 400 San Diegans gathered to honor the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and to carry forward the legacies of our local Survivors. Through stories shared by second-generation descendants trained in Federation’s Preserving the Legacy program, the past was not only remembered—it was entrusted to the future. On Yom HaZikaron, hundreds stood side by side in grief and solidarity, honoring Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror, including those lost on October 7. Together, we held space for heartbreak and resilience, bound by the shared strength of our global Jewish family. And on Yom HaAtzmaut, the lawn of the Lawrence Family JCC | JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS came alive as more than 1,500 community members celebrated Israel’s 77th Independence Day, dancing, creating, singing, and connecting across generations. These communal moments reminded us that memory is a collective act, mourning draws us closer, and celebration is an expression of our enduring spirit as a people. Click here to view more photos from all three meaningful events.
Jewish Heritage Celebration Game at Petco Park
Two weeks ago, more than 350 community members came together for Jewish Heritage Celebration Game at Petco Park, hosted in partnership with the San Diego Padres. The Western Metal rooftop was filled with energy, laughter, and shared pride as families, friends, and neighbors—many meeting for the first time—gathered to celebrate Jewish life in a joyful, public way. This powerful evening was more than a game; it was an affirmation of community, belonging, and visibility. A moving highlight came when Ernest Rady took the mound for a ceremonial first pitch, greeted by cheers that echoed the deep respect and gratitude felt across the stands. Events like this remind us what’s possible when we show up, together, with pride and purpose. As we look ahead, we’re inspired to continue creating these opportunities to gather, connect, and celebrate all that Jewish life in San Diego has to offer. To view our digital photo gallery, click here.
Welcoming Growth: Inside and Out
Federation is evolving—growing our team, reimagining our space, and expanding our digital reach. In just the past two months, we’ve welcomed new talent, refreshed our offices with a bold new look, and launched a redesigned website that brings our mission to life online. These changes reflect more than upgrades—they signal our commitment to innovation, inclusion, and deeper community connection. Click here to explore the new site and see what’s ahead as we grow together.
