By Heidi Gantwerk
Jewish Federation of San Diego
SAN DIEGO –May is a month of profound significance for Jews around the world, marked by three meaningful holidays: Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom Ha’Atzmaut. Each day offers a unique opportunity for remembrance, reflection, or celebration, respectively, while collectively serving as poignant reminders of our shared history and enduring spirit as a people.
This year’s events, organized by Federation in partnership with the Lawrence Family JCC | JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS and IAC San Diego, with the support of countless other partners and volunteers, saw overwhelming participation. Despite the current challenges we face, I am consistently in awe of our community’s desire to come together, live proud Jewish lives, and celebrate our heritage. And it has never felt more crucial to do so.
We marked Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, with a moving ceremony at the JCC. More than 700 of us – including many of San Diego’s remaining Holocaust survivors and their families – gathered to pay tribute to the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust and to light candles in memory of the local survivors we lost in the past year. Each presentation and musical offering was a testament to the horrors endured and the indomitable spirit of those who survived. Among the crowd, there was a shared sense of heaviness as we reflected on the road that lies ahead for Jewish life in San Diego, in Israel, and around the world.
Just a week later, more than 1,000 San Diegans gathered on Shelter Island to observe Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Day of Remembrance, for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism. The program featured heartfelt tributes from local Israelis, their stories and songs weaving a tapestry of grief and pride. The names of the fallen were displayed throughout the event, each name a stark reminder of the sacrifices made for our homeland. This year’s ceremony held an added layer of heartache as we remembered the more than 1,600 lives lost since the horrific attacks of October 7 – including dozens of community members from San Diego’s Israeli sister region, Sha’ar HaNegev. The large turnout was a powerful testament to our community’s solidarity and unwavering support for Israel.
The somber mood of Yom HaZikaron gave way to joyous celebration the following Sunday during Celebrate Israel: Now and Forever, in honor of Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. The atmosphere at the JCC was electric, filled with music, dance, and the vibrant energy of nearly 4,000 people coming together to celebrate Israel’s 76th year of independence. From powerful performances by Israeli supergroup Shufuni and the Hope for the Hostages Square to the community-crafted garden of Anemones and so much more, it was a day of inspiration and meaning. The presence of young families, children waving Israeli flags, and elders sharing stories of Israel’s early days highlighted the multi-generational bond that holds our community together.
This year’s events demonstrated the San Diego Jewish community’s resilience and unity. Despite geopolitical tensions, anti-Israel protests across our college campuses, and the rising tide of antisemitism, we showed up for each other, affirming our shared identity and commitment to our heritage.
As we navigate these turbulent times, the importance of community becomes ever more evident. Our stories bind us together and strengthen our resolve. This month, through our gatherings and shared experiences, we reaffirmed the power of storytelling and the unbreakable bonds of our community. Let us carry forward the lessons of Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom Ha’atzmaut, and continue to find strength and inspiration in each other. May our stories, memories, and celebrations serve as a beacon of hope and unity for all.
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As President & CEO of Jewish Federation of San Diego, Heidi Gantwerk oversees the nearly 90-year-old nonprofit in its mission to broaden and deepen engagement in Jewish life, strengthen Jewish identity, foster dynamic connections with Israel, and care for all Jews in need. Federation also serves as a primary convener of the San Diego Jewish community – mobilizing the community’s resources, leaders, and organizations to address the community’s most critical needs, creating profound impact locally, in Israel, and around the world. To learn more, visit jewishinsandiego.org.