Philanthropy & Volunteerism

Thanksgiving a Harbinger of Chanukah Tikkun Olam

As I looked on Facebook, I was thrilled to see La Mesa neighbors posting they were gifting plates of Thanksgiving turkey. I am vegan, but I thought it was so generous of neighbors to give to those who do not have a place to go or are struggling to make ends meet. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Travel and Food

Jewish Political Briefing: Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025

ZAKA’s CEO, Dubi Weissenstern, commented “Tonight is more than a milestone; it is a living testament to the holy work our volunteers do every day.  Our teams run toward pain so others can find comfort. They bring dignity and light where there is chaos and loss. Our concert honor their courage and the supporters who make it possible.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Did Jewry Abandon the Fight for Racial Justice?

Dollinger challenges the standard narrative that Jews were simply “kicked out” of the Civil Rights movement by radical Black activists. Instead, he argues that Jews actively made choices to prioritize their own newfound status and ethnic identity over the continued struggle for racial justice. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Rosenwald School Marker Dedicated in Natchez, Mississippi

Bobby Dennis is the Executive Director of the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture. A year and a half ago, I reached out to him about placing a historical interpretive marker in Adams County, Mississippi, to interpret, remember, and honor the struggle for Black American educational opportunity and the Rosenwald Schools in Adams. [Jerry Klinger]

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Jerry Klinger, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Emphasis of Thanksgiving Should be Giving

When we look closely at the word Thanksgiving, we see that gratitude in America is not only about inviting family and friends to share a meal, but also about giving to those in need and counting our blessings. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Survey: American Jews Feel Financially Vulnerable

Hebrew Free Loans of San Diego’s Executive Director, Mindi Frankel, attended the International Association of Jewish Free Loans conference. She connected with 29 other free loan agencies. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Business & Finance, Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

JFS Releases Video about Its Efforts to Ease Local Pain of Government Shutdown

I’ve been truly moved by how our community came together to support one another. This short video shares just a small portion of that shared effort. Thank you for being a part of a community that lifts each other up. [Dana Toppel]

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Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

From San Diego to Israel and Germany: The Butterfly Project’s Mission of Memory and Empathy Expands Across Borders

Ulla Hadar has researched, among other things, the biographies of the child victims from the Vilnius Ghetto. Ulla and Nicole, too, have developed a close partnership. In June 2025, the pair were invited to Vilnius, Lithuania, to present The Butterfly Project to Lithuanian teachers at a seminar hosted by The Olga Lengyel Institute (TOli). [Press Release]

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Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA

$1 Million Grant to StandWithUs to Combat Workplace Antisemitism

“Workplace antisemitism is one of the most urgent yet overlooked forms of discrimination in today’s society,” said David Fish, Founding Partner of Workplace Law Partners. “Through this partnership, we’re ensuring that employees who face antisemitism have strong legal advocates by their side—and that justice is pursued wherever intolerance takes root.” [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, USA

Federation Extols 5-Year ‘Bridge’ Program for Jewish Teens

The BRIDGE Initiative—Building Resilient Identity & Deep Global Engagement—honors that [Chortek family] legacy by investing in the next generation. Over the next five years, the initiative will house a portfolio of high-impact programs at Federation … (Heidi Gantwerk)

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Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food