Sha’ar HaNegev native fills S.D. Jewish Fed’n post

itamar_harari
Itamar Harari

SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Itamar Harari has been appointed as Director of Community Initiatives to oversee many initiatives of the Jewish Federation of San Diego, including the development of partnerships and collaborations.

Harari was raised in Sha’ar HaNegev, which is San Diego’s sister city in Israel. He served as an elite paratrooper in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) where he was as a commander. His time in the IDF and his mother’s inspirational Holocaust survival story led Harari to a life of Jewish community service.

After moving to the US, Harari earned his doctorate in education from the University of California Santa Barbara. He then spent the last four years working for Los Angeles’ Jewish Federation before joining the team in San Diego.

“We are thrilled to welcome Itamar to the Federation.  We are excited to have someone with his extensive experience, passion and drive as part of the team and we look forward to working with him to grow and engage the San Diego Jewish Community,” said Heather Wolfson, Senior Director, Community Partnerships.

“I am so excited to join an incredible team of professionals and volunteers who are committed to continuing to strengthen the San Diego Jewish community.  I feel fortunate to be part of strong community of individuals and families who truly care about their San Diegan Jewish and non-Jewish neighbors.  I’m confident in the strength and ability of all of us here to continue to strengthen the Jewish community in San Diego by engaging and connecting more individuals and families with our work,” said Harari.

The addition of Harari will advance Federation’s goal of creating the most welcoming and inclusive Jewish community in the country and caring for Jews in need around the world, according to Wolfson.

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Preceding provided by the Jewish Federation of San Diego County.