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Jewish Family Service offers help to those hurt by economy
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)—In the past month, calls to the Jewish Family Service's Access line increased by 25%. Compared to this same time last year, JFS has had 82% more calls for help. In the current economic crisis, people are requesting counseling; help with basic needs such as food and shelter; support with daily coping skills; and help with advocacy, budgeting, employment, benefits and insurance.
What happens next:
After talking with our intake staff, clients attend a weekly orientation where they learn information about available community resources, personal budgeting, and the other supportive services offered at JFS.
Following the orientation, attendees meet individually with a case manager to address specific needs. During this meeting, next steps are identified and clients leave with an active plan to address their situation. Follow-up appointments are often made to offer on-going assistance and coaching.
Clients may be provided with financial assistance for rent, utility bills, transportation, food, and/or medical costs, when a viable plan is in place, and it is evident that the assistance will help them in improve their situation.
JFS is dedicated to helping its clients find lasting solutions in a timely, effective manner. Clients who contact the agency via the intake line are admitted swiftly and are provided with concrete, solutions-based information.
If someone you know needs help, please have them call the JFS Access Line at (877) 537-1818. All calls are completely confidential.
All calls are returned within one business day.
JFS also offers free workshops addressing issues from Bankruptcy to reducing stress. Additionally, the Hebrew Free Loan Association offers loans to members of the Jewish Community.
Sderot children are 'Moms for Israel's concern at JNF eventSAN DIEGO (Press Release)—The children of Sderot took center stage on August 5th at Jewish National Fund's launch of its “Moms For Israel” Campaign in San Diego.
San Diego Board member, Debbie Seid, opened her beautiful North County home for a Tacos and Margaritas Ladies Night Out, ably aided by sister Board Members Debbie Elghanian and Mimi Gross.
Guests were invited to eat, drink and shop from the various vendors selling everything from Judaica straight from Israel by Na'ama Rivel, to Trudy James' beautiful custom-made jewelry, to a unique line of hand-made greeting cards, including cards for all life-cycle events as well as all the Jewish holidays, designed and produced by Char Allen. Each of our vendors donated 20% of all purchases to JNF's important work in keeping the children of Sderot safe and active.
JNF Board member Lauren Lizerbram displayed the newest line of Simcha Invitations, which include the planting of a tree in Israel with each invitation purchased. Funds raised by “Moms for Israel” will support JNF’s first-of-its-kind secure indoor recreation and community center in Sderot, as well as scholarships for Sderot kids to attend camp in the Jerusalem hills, away from the terror of Kassam rocket attacks from nearby Gaza.
If you are interested in hosting a “Moms for Israel” event in your home, please call Hermine Mahmouzian, Southern California Regional Consultant at (310) 990-4371.
JNF’s next “Moms for Israel” gathering will take place after the high holydays.
San Diego Catholic educators travel to Israel to bear witness
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)—Two San Diego Catholic school teachers were among a group of Catholic educators from around the country that traveled to Israel to learn about anti-Semitism and the Holocaust as part of the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) nationally acclaimed Bearing Witness Advanced program.
Feather Gentry an educator from Saint John the Evangelist, and Sister Annalisa Burgos from Vincent Memorial Catholic High School participated in the San Diego Regional Bearing Witness Institute in 2008 and were among 2 of the 19 educators selected to attend the Bearing Witness Advanced program. The San Diego Regional Bearing Witness Institute is an annual program that brings together Catholic educators from across the county to learn about the history of anti-Semitism, Nostra Aetate (the Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions of the Second Vatican Council), interreligious liturgy interpretations, the importance of Holocaust education, and fostering Jewish-Catholic Relations.
Bearing Witness Advanced provides educators with an opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of Israel against the backdrop of Jewish history, the Holocaust, and Catholic-Jewish relations. “This trip was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. I grew as a person, an educator, and a Catholic Christian. I was in awe of the beauty of Israel and the vibrant life of its people. As a student and teacher of the Holocaust I realized how important and necessary it was to teach about the life and the rich culture of the Jewish people prior to, during, and following the Holocaust. As a Christian I felt complete in a way I had not prior to this trip. I am truly grateful to have this amazing opportunity," reflected Ms. Gentry.
“Combining experts’ knowledge of the Holocaust with the words of those who experienced it can have a unique and powerful impact,” said Dr. Ed S. Alster, ADL’s Director of Education. “The teachers learned firsthand how anti-Semitism can lead to tragedy if left unchecked. The experience should enable them to convey these lessons to their students more effectively.”
At Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Authority, the teachers heard from Holocaust survivors, historians and pedagogical experts. Also visited was Christian and Jewish holy sites, as well as meeting with
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interfaith experts. To lend a contemporary sense of Israel, the group traveled around the country, and met with authors, journalists and political analysts.
To prepare for the trip, the educators attended an introductory seminar at Seton Hall University with Holocaust and anti-Semitism experts.
The 19 participants in the 2009 Bearing Witness Advanced seminar hailed from Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. All are graduates of regional ADL Bearing Witness programs.
Since its inception, Bearing Witness has trained more than 1,000 Catholic school educators across the country. In 1998 it became an ADL nationally sponsored program and ADL regional offices began replicating the initiative in 2002. Bearing Witness is endorsed by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Jewish license plate
SDJA shepping nachas from its many well accomplished students
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)—San Diego Jewish Academy welcomes a total of 348 upper school students, including 23 new students and 63 seniors, to Maimonides Upper School (MUS) this year.
This year’s student successes began in May, when 77 students in grades 10-12 took 142 AP course exams. 32% of SDJA tests received scores of 5 (the highest score possible), 54% scored 4 or higher, and 80% scored 3 or higher.
 
Eighth graders Ari Colton and Melissa Fagan wowed judges with their projects at the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair (GSDSF). Both won first place in their respective divisions and represented San Diego Jewish Academy at the State Science Fair in Los Angeles. All of the eleven SDJA entrants received awards at GSDSF.
SDJA’s Daniel Penner just returned from the summer of a lifetime at the Bronfman Youth Fellowship in Israel. This prestigious leadership program is one of “the top scholarship programs particularly noted for producing the strongest candidates for highly selective institutions," according to the guide, "What it Really Takes to Get Into the Ivy League and other Highly Selective Colleges."
In their all-expenses-paid five weeks together, the Fellows encountered the land and people of Israel, studied Judaism and major issues in contemporary Jewish life, and learned about themselves and each other.
Of the 33 students in the Class of 2009 who applied to college, all were accepted to four-year universities, and for the sixth consecutive year SDJA graduates were accepted by the finest schools in the country, including: UC Berkeley, UCLA, University of Pennsylvania, Washington University in St. Louis, Brown University, Tufts University, New York University, Emory University, Claremont McKenna College and Michigan University with over $1.6 million in merit scholarship offers.
Joe Satz Trio performs at Bing Crosby Restaurant, Fashion Valley
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)-- The Joe Satz Trio, including some familiar names from the local Jewish community, will be performing from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, August 17, at Bing Crosby's Restaurant and Piano Bar in the Fashion Valley Shopping Center, opposite Bloomingdale's.
Trio members include Joe Satz on piano, Lee Sarokin on drums, and Rocky Smolin on the electric bass.
How to meet Jewish officeholders
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)--Following are upcoming public events involving Jewish public officials, as culled from the San Diego Democratic party's E-Zine. We have bold-faced the names of officeholders who are members of the Jewish community:
Saturday, August 29 —2nd Annual Suffrage Parade and Ball. Saturday, August 29th, 4:00 - 5:00 pm parade. Meet at the Kate Sessions Statue and Parade across the Laurel Street Bridge in Balboa Park - Dress as suffragists, bring your banners and signs or just watch the fun! Vintage cars welcome! Honorary Parade Marshal: Congresswoman, Susan Davis, along with Judy "The Beauty" Forman and Gracia Molina de Pick. 6:00 - 9:00 pm dinner and dance at the Balboa Park Club Ballroom. "Journey to the 1930's" with the Sue Palmer Orchestra - Marathon Dance and Costume Contests Historical Reenactments - Vintage Cars - Cuisine and Music. $25 to $30 tickets available NOW at the Women's History Museum at (619) 233-7963.
Sunday, August 30--Celebrating 30 years of service - Congressman Bob Filner’s Birthday Party. Noon to 2:00 pm. At the Will T. Hyde Friendship Park in Chula Vista - behind the Chula Vista Public Library at 4th Avenue and F Street. Info: (619) 425-1998.
Friday, September 25--Spring Valley-Lemon Grove Democratic Club "Happy Hour." 5:30-7:30 pm. Special Guest: Assemblyman Marty Block. At Por Favor Restaurant, 3307 Lemon Grove Avenue. $10 covers soft drinks, chips and salsa, and membership in the club for a year. RSVP to George Gastil at georgegastil@gmail.com or (619) 465-9176.
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