Heidi Gantwerk

Come witness the remarkable resilience in Sha’ar HaNegev

After years of war, extended evacuation, separation, and profound grief, there is a new energy in Sha’ar HaNegev focused on rebuilding and reconnecting its 10,000 residents. I came away moved, inspired, and immensely proud that San Diego has been such a critical partner in this work. (Heidi Gantwerk)

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Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Federation fundraises for many good causes

By Heidi Gantwerk in San Diego As this campaign year comes to a close, I am reminded of what our community can accomplish when we show up for one another, especially in moments that test us most. The ongoing war in Israel, the long road to recovery, and rising antisemitism here at home have challenged

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Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

San Diego’s Jewish executives forge bonds with Sha’ar HaNegev counterparts

Last week, our Israeli counterparts visited here to understand what it means to be Jewish in America today, and how Jewish organizations are working to ensure that we are safe and that Jewish life thrives in San Diego. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Federation’s Heidi Gantwerk traveled to D.C. to lobby for more money for security of religious institutions

We have long believed that security cannot be an afterthought for any community of faith — and today is a devastating reminder that this reality extends to every house of worship in our city and across the country. That is why we are in Washington fighting for resources that protect communities like the one attacked today. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Heidi Gantwerk, Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Holocaust van will take education to students instead of vice versa

We realized that if we truly wanted to reach students where they are at scale, we needed to rethink the entire model. So, we asked: what if, instead of waiting for students to come to us, we brought the experience directly to them? [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Heidi Gantwerk, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The importance of San Diego’s Holocaust commemoration this Sunday

This Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center | JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS, members of our community will come together to commemorate Yom HaShoah. I urge you to join us for this moving and meaningful event. Many of San Diego’s remaining Holocaust survivors will be there, and I cannot overstate what an honor it is to be in the room with these precious souls. To be in their presence is a privilege we will only have for a short time longer. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Heidi Gantwerk to participate in national hookup about Mideast War

Jewish Federation of San Diego President & CEO Heidi Gantwerk has been invited by Jewish Federations of North America to be featured in a special national briefing tomorrow morning, March 12, on the conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran. [Press Release]

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Heidi Gantwerk, International, Israel, Middle East, Press Release, San Diego County, USA

Federation mission to India ‘refreshing’ and broadening

For two weeks, we were transported into a place more “foreign” than anywhere else I have visited, yet every encounter was positive, welcoming, and gracious. Through our modern Western lens, we kept asking about antisemitism, historically or today. It simply isn’t there, and I cannot express how refreshing that was to hear. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

We Danced Again

For two years, we’ve carried the words “we will dance again” in our hearts. And to close out FED360, we did just that. We danced. Joyfully, energetically, breathlessly, unapologetically. Together, we celebrated the strength and resilience of our community and the impact of building belonging and connection. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

It feels like one big global family as Jews from the Americas and Israel meet in Mexico City

 Throughout the visit, we were constantly struck by the powerful sense of connection and peoplehood we experienced. After speaking with the head of the Maccabi program in Guatemala for just five minutes, we had invited one another to visit our homes, and it already felt like we had known each other for far longer. (Heidi Gantwerk)

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Heidi Gantwerk, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

A trip to Chile and spreading the light here in San Diego

[A]s 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. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Law Enforcement Officials Pledge Protection for S.D. Chanukah Events

I say once again: Jews around the world, and right here in San Diego, have the absolute right to feel safe and to be safe. We should not have to hide our joy, move our celebrations indoors, or “tone it down” to avoid attracting any unwanted attention. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish Federation Launched 4 Simultaneous International Trips

For the past four years, we have leaned into travel as one of the most effective ways to build our own Jewish community, strengthen San Diego’s sense of “Am Yisrael,” and connect people to the essential, often lifesaving work Federation supports around the world. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Heidi Gantwerk, International, Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

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