Other items in today’s column include
*Chabad Hebrew Academy conducts 31-hour fundraising campaign
* Political bytes
*Coming our way
SAN DIEGO – Judge Victor Bianchini, an active member of the Jewish community, has been saluted in the video at the top of the page by his alma mater San Diego State University for his career as a Marine Corps, lawyer, California Superior Court Judge, part-time U.S. Magistrate, private mediator, 2018 alumnus of the year of SDSU’s College of Letters and Science, and now a world-class fencing champion in the over 70-years-old division.
In addition to these various distinctions, Bianchini has regularly emceed the annual exchange program luncheon that brings together student volunteers from Jerusalem’s biblical zoo with peers in San Diego as part of a ten-day program of behind-the-scenes visits to local animal attractions and other sightseeing venues. This is a program that is coordinated under auspices of the Jerusalem Foundation by Helena Galper, financially supported by Robert Price, among others, and congressionally recognized by Rep. Susan Davis.
During his student days as an Aztec, Bianchini was a member of the student government and also served as a cheerleader.
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Chabad Hebrew Academy successfully conducts 31-hour fundraising campaign
Chabad Hebrew Academy challenged its supporters to help it raise $1.25 million in just 31 hours, with a group of donors agreeing to a 3:1 match for all funds raised during the drive. The matchers were Barry & Marlene Berlovitz, Campus of Life, Elaine Chortek, Richard & Sharon Gabriel, Barry & Bridgette Galgut, Leonard Hirsh, David B. Mandel, Alan & Rochelle Saloner, Colin & Beverly Seid, Ingrid van Moppes, and Charles & Randi Wax.
Hundreds of supporters responded. Here is a partial list of those who donated $10,000 or more, as they were listed on the Chabad website: $40,000: Avraham Biseser; $36,000: Stan Smiedt; $30,800: Jay & Lisa Gelbart; $30,000: EJF Philanthropies; $28,800: Jeff Abelsohn; $21,600: Mr. and Mrs. Schorr; $20,000: The Bauman Family; Stanley & Andrea Factor, Harvey and Linda Rogoff; M. Sacal; Janine Subel. $19,680: Jorge and Aviva Saad; $18,000: Lillie Masur. $16,000: Helena Reisman, Sid Selati. $14,400: Anonymous, Charles Klein, Felix Kohn, Mr. and Mrs. Manheim, In Honor of Devorah Paley, Scott Rubinstein, Craig & Amy Saloner, Steiner Family. $10,400: Mandy Kahn, Mr. and Mrs. Melnick; $10,000: Jacque Rheaume, Eva Shaw.
With 30 seconds to go on the countdown, the goal of $1,250,000 was reached. When the end of the 31 hour period, at 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10, arrived, the total was $1,255,188.
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Political bytes
*“This week, the most conservative Republican on San Diego’s City Council entered the race for mayor!” warned Assemblyman Todd Gloria’s mayoral campaign staff in an email. That was a bit of political hyperbole. There are only two Republicans on the City Council, Scott Sherman being the one referred to in the email; the other being Chris Cate. “Todd Gloria is the only candidate in this race who has received the endorsement of the San Diego County Democratic party, so we must united behind Todd to make sure we take back the mayor’s office,” the email went on to say. Rival candidate Barbara Bry’s veteran campaign consultant, Tom Shepard, meanwhile sent out this appeal from her campaign: “I am not going to lie. This mayoral race just got tougher. Another status-quo candidate just filed for mayor,” he said in reference to Sherman. “And word has it that both sides are already preparing their attack pieces against us. Luckily, Barbara has always been a maverick who excels in the face of adversity …”
*Terra Lawson-Remer, a candidate in the 3rd County Supervisorial District, says if she is elected “I will fight to reverse our county’s disinvestment in elder-care, and fight to improve the health and well-being of San Diego seniors.” She said the county’s current “In Home Supportive Services” (IHSS) program helps “only those with very low incomes and virtually no assets.” People who have more assets “are often forced to spend down their assets, struggling to make ends meet until qualifying for aid. The lack of in-home assistance runs up the bill for taxpayers too, forcing seniors to end up in government-funded emergency rooms unnecessarily.” Her proposal: “Make access to IHSS available on a sliding scale – so that ALL seniors who cannot afford private care on top of San Diego’s cost of living can access quality care in their own homes.”
*3rd District Supervisor Kristin Gaspar warned her supporters that “the labor unions have opened an independent expenditure account and are willing to spend more than 6 figures to take me out of this race. This is no longer a typical local race now that outside money has infiltrated our region.” Gaspar, a Republican, is opposed by Democrats Olga Diaz, who is an Escondido City Councilwoman, and by Terra Lawson-Remer, an environmental attorney.
*The non-partisan Office of Congressional Ethics has released an anticlimactic report on Congressman Duncan Hunter’s misappropriation of funds—with the evidence cited hardly a surprise since he had already pleaded guilty to charges brought against him by the U.S. Attorney’s office and now is awaiting sentencing.
*Although she will be spending a lot of time running for Congress in the 53rd CD from which Susan Davis is retiring, colleagues of Georgette Gomez unanimously reelected her to a second term as President of the San Diego City Council. Time will tell whether the kovod and extra hours this position entails will be benefits or liabilities as the March 3 primary election approaches.
* Three state legislators from San Diego County – State Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins, and Assemblymembers Todd Gloria and Shirley Weber—are hosting a holiday open house at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11, in the 6th floor auditorium of the State Building at 1350 Front Street downtown. While admission is free, the legislators have requested that attendees bring an unwrapped gift from a wish list for homeless students in elementary and middle schools. Requested items include backpacks, jackets, hoodies, socks, closed-toed shoes, underwear, pajamas, blankets, and non-perishable food items.
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Coming our way
* Chaya Andrusier, Rebbetzin of Chabad of East County, is promoting “BeJEWled,” a program for women to “assemble a unique piece of jewelry” and “create an additional piece to donate to a women’s shelter,” at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 15, at Pacific Beads, 9332 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Fee $18. Reservations via this website.
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Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com