By Heidi Gantwerk in San Diego
The last few weeks of the year are always both stressful and joyful, sometimes in equal measure. I often find myself more spent than ever by the time New Year’s rolls around. This year, when dear friends invited us to their daughter’s wedding in Chile, my husband and I said yes, and we took the last two weeks to travel and explore a part of the world totally new to us.
Our trip was scheduled to begin the morning after the horrific shooting in Sydney. After a frantic flurry of texts and emails with city and law enforcement officials and reporters, early-morning meetings and phone calls with staff, it was time to trust our talented team and go. It felt strange – and a little disconnected – leaving during Chanukah, especially after such a terrible attack, but as the plane took off for Santiago, a young family in the row across from us brought out electric candles and began singing the holiday blessings with their toddlers. We sang along, and everyone wished each other a chag sameach. The mother looked over at me and said, “We all need to do everything we can to bring light into the world today.” I felt a weight lift, and off we went.
Wherever we traveled in Chile – from the glaciers of Patagonia to rural wine country, and from the hills of Valparaíso to a wild and festive wedding in Santiago – people were unfailingly welcoming, gracious and kind. Chile is a big country with no more than 20,000 Jews, mostly in Santiago, and they are generally well integrated into Chilean society. I wore my Magen David everywhere; I do not take it off. People were curious and interested. Nowhere did we encounter antisemitism, aside from the occasional pro-Palestinian graffiti – and even that was relatively infrequent in a country known for its colorful street art.
We truly unplugged on this trip; it is hard not to when visiting such a beautiful and friendly country where we felt safe and welcome. We were there to enjoy spectacular scenery, wine, food and a festive celebration. Yet in quiet moments, I found myself coming back again and again to the young parents on the plane, who made the effort – on a red-eye flight – to bring their children the light of Chanukah in a world that was feeling particularly dark that day. The mother was right. We all need to bring a little more light into the world.
Without question, we will face daunting challenges in 2026. That, sadly, is a certainty. As our Chief Development Officer, Michael Rabkin, wrote to you earlier this week, “when Jews live openly, visibly, and together, there are those who see that presence as intolerable.” We will continue investing every day in our community’s security, and we will work with our partners to build bridges and fight antisemitism. Israel faces an extraordinarily difficult period of rebuilding and recovery; the trauma of the past two years is deep and broad, and we must step up to support healing and strengthen the Jewish state.
And most importantly, we must double down on shining light into the darkness. I am not much for New Year’s resolutions, but recharged and ready for year ahead, I have had the chance to reflect on all the light we have brought to our community this year – and it has only made me more excited for all that the coming year has in store.
In 2026, we will make the light brighter by:
–Empowering the next generation of Jewish leaders with once-in-a-lifetime teen travel opportunities, leadership development programs, and programs that build powerful Jewish identity.
–Celebrating and creating opportunities for Jewish belonging for anyone (and everyone!) seeking for meaningful Jewish experience and connection.
–Investing in the strength of our community’s talented leaders, both lay and professional, and cultivating a new generation of passionate, prepared, and connected changemakers.
–Launching our Legacy of Light Goldberg Institute for Holocaust Education, shining a light on history in ways that are immersive, personal, and deeply relevant.
–Traveling the world to make us stronger at home, ensuring Federation Mission participants experience Jewish life abroad and return home feeling inspired, connected, and proud.
At Federation, we are here and we are ready. Hineinu.
But here’s the thing: none of this happens without you showing up, signing up, leaning in and, of course, financially supporting this sacred work. No one else is coming along to invest in vibrant Jewish life but Jews.
Let’s make 2026 the most exciting, engaging, creative and connected year for our Jewish community ever. All in, together!
Wishing you a very happy New Year and Shabbat Shalom.
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Heidi Gantwerk is President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of San Diego.