The search for the legendary black bird takes a comedic twist in this world premiere adaptation at North Coast Repertory Theatre. Matthew Salazar-Thompson’s ingenious new version of Dashiell Hammett’s noir masterpiece navigates through a labyrinth of deception and desire alongside the infamous Sam Spade, the definitive hard-boiled detective. Deadly intrigue has never been so funny. Reserve your seats now before they vanish like the falcon itself.
Fall under the spell of this effervescent romantic comedy where Jewish-American traditions and love playfully intertwine. The delightful story, sizzling chemistry, and joyous celebrations create a warm-hearted theatrical treat. Fresh, funny, and deeply heartfelt, BEAU JEST delivers the perfect blend of humor and heart that will leave you smiling long after the final bow.
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To learn more about Passover visit Chabad.org
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O a s i s C a m e l D a i r y F a r m - 2 6 7 5 7 C A - 7 8 , R a m o n a , C A R S V P N e
PUBLISHERS
Mark Edelstein and Dr. Mark Moss
EDITOR
Susan Edelstein
ASSISTANT EDITOR Makayla Hoppe
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Donna D’Angelo
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Eileen Sondak
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Emily Bartell, Linda Bennett, Andrea Simantov, Trevor James McNeil, Marnie Macauley, Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort, Galia Miller Sprung, Micah Siva, Lisa McGuigan
This year’s 36th Annual San Diego International Jewish Film Festival, with its multiple ways of viewing the vast selection of films scheduled, was fantastic! Whether in person or virtually from the comfort of your own home, the caliber of offerings gets better every year. Some of our favorites this year were “The Last Spy,” “Ethan Bloom” and “Labors of Love: The Life and Legacy of Henrietta Szold.” However, the absolute highlight of the whole film festival experience for us was keynote speaker, Leonard Maltin. As one of the most respected voices for generations of American film lovers, Mr. Maltin, presently a professor of Cinematic Studies at UCSD, served as film critic for Entertainment Tonight for over 30 years.
As usual, Chair Christina Fink, Founding Chair Joyce Axelrod and the rest of the committee outdid themselves. Some of the other film buffs we ran into at the JCC were Maxine and Arthur Geller, Debbie and Michael Carnick, Allison Lazerus, Nancy Neigus, Ilene Mittman, Jane Siegel, Judith Rubinstein, Marcia and Don Wolochow, Marlene and Marc Hamovitch, Leslie and Shlomo Caspi, Sharon and David Wax, Lynette Allen and Larry Rothenberg, Sharon and Nat Korin, and Lolie Fromm
Mazel Tov to Rebecca Faber Jacobs and Robert Pearlmutter on their engagement. The happy couple are planning on tying the knot in June. Rebecca is the daughter of Beth Faber Jacobs and Ken Jacobs. Robert is the son of Suzanne and Jonathan Pearlmutter of Roselyn, NY.
Save The Date:
Tuesdays, March 10, 17 and 24 , 10 a.m. at the LFJCC: Freud and the Buddha: Paths to Mindfulness and Mental Wellness led by clinical psychologist and meditation teacher, Dr. Oded Shezifi, the course explores mindfulness as a pillar to modern mental health.
Monday-Wednesday, March 16-18, 7 p.m. at the LFJCC: Jacob Goldberg Lecture Series. Professor Jacob Goldberg, former advisor to Prime Minister Ehud Barak, will explore Arab-Israeli and American-Israeli relations, global diplomacy, and regional challenges.
Friday, March 20, 10 a.m. at the LFJCC: Brunch and Briefing with Professor Goldberg. Building off of the lecture series, Professor Goldberg will offer timely insights into Israel’s current political landscape and international dynamics.
Yom Huledets Sameach to...
Norman Greene celebrating his 84th birthday.
Phyllis Spital celebrating her 81st birthday.
Malcolm Jarvis celebrating his 80th birthday.
CELEBRATING
Wedding Anniversaries
with infinite love & happiness, Mazel Tov to…
Linda and Michael Bennett, 57 years.
Karen and Warren Kessler, 56 years.
Aileen and Mark Tiras, 55 years.
Scripps Clinic OB/GYN
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Dr. Fainman specializes in general obstetrics and gynecology, birth control options, pregnancy care and childbirth, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, and hormone replacement therapy and menopause. She speaks English, Spanish and Hebrew.
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310 Santa Fe Drive, Suite 204 Encinitas, CA 92024
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SUSAN EDELSTEIN
The Sweet Season of Spring
Spring is upon us, hooray! No other season is quite as glorious, or anticipated, or enjoyed. The air is warming, the days are lengthening, colors are bursting from the ground, from the trees, the sights and smells bring forth appreciative feelings and involuntary smiles. And even though San Diegans on the whole are not indoor types, our outdoor ranks swell noticeably with the onset of spring. Some of our favorite springtime activities have become annual events, like a day at the Zoo or the Safari Park with extended hours, smaller-than-summer crowds, active and newborn animals, and the limited-time Butterfly Jungle. Or outings to our beloved Balboa Park with its miles of lush trails, abundance of vibrant gardens, and open-air concerts. For many of us, nothing says spring more than the start of baseball at Petco Park, or the opening of the kaleidoscopic Flower Fields in Carlsbad. And yes, spring is prime whale-watching season (head west) and the time for the desert wildflower superbloom (head east). This is also the season to check out the city’s myriad farmer’s markets and plethora of outdoor eateries, and of course, to enjoy our brilliant beaches from Oceanside to Coronado.
Spring is also the time for Purim. As Rabbi Eilfort says, celebrating Purim and spreading love through the four Purim commandments will bring joy to us all. Andrea Simantov says that her love of Jewish humor, nurtured by borscht belt comedians, is found in the Story of Esther. And we are happy to share Pepe Fainberg’s vivid and luminous take on the Megillat Esther.
Our cover story features the remarkable achievements of the Blue Rose Theatre Project’s kid-centered, hands-on learning and teaching of the lessons of the Holocaust through art and their production titled “Echoes of Courage” which will be shared in classrooms throughout the U.S. and beyond.
Our feature on Fox Point Farms may just persuade you to add a trip to the Farm to your list of springtime enjoyments.
Also featured is Galia Sprung’s story of her pioneering her own way, staying afloat and flourishing in Israel.
Happy reading, happy spring. A
LIVING ON THE FRONT PAGE
by Andrea Simantov | andreasimantov@gmail.com
Of Masks and Mirth
Humor is entirely subjective. My parents loved to laugh and were, in fact, two very funny people. In addition to scratchy LPs of Broadway shows that we acted out every Saturday afternoon after rearranging the furniture to replicate a proscenium arch, my siblings and I memorized acts of borscht-belt comedians like Shecky Greene, Jackie Mason, Buddy Hackett, Tobie Fields, Don Rickles, Joan Rivers, Norm Crosby and others. The blonde console stereo knew no respite during the Eisenhower era, as our love for Jewish humor was nurtured. What began for me in the Catskill Mountains was refined with outings to the Westbury Music Fair. (If you know, you know.)
I do not have to be told that something is funny and, consequently, will not watch any program with canned laughter. Equally revolting to me are gags that are played at the expense of another’s dignity. I loathe practical jokes and consider all forms to be chilul HaShem: a desecration of G-d’s name. We don’t knock one another down and certainly do not shame another human being.
The aforementioned children long ago stopped attending the reading of the Book Esther (Megillah) with me, primarily because they either have families of their own or they live in strange locations like Tel Aviv.
But altered marital status and/or geographical inconveniences may not be the only reasons. It seems that my annual reaction to the mention of Haman’s wife, Zeresh, made my offspring cringe while pretending not to know me.
I can see her with my eyes closed: brash, opportunistic, negative and relatable. First, she bolsters her husband’s ego in an us-against-theworld scenario, no doubt protecting the privileged life she has come to expect.
Soon after, however, seeing the writing on the wall, she jumps ship and, in an all-about-me moment, announces to Haman & Company, “You’re cooked. Hasta la vista, baby....”
With each mention of her name, I howl with raucous, ribald laughter, drowning out both graggers and stalwart readers of the holy book. I mean, the viceroy of Shushan gets browbeaten by his significant other in a scene that intensifies this already character-rich tale of lust, avarice, wisdom and faith — how beautifully constructed is that? My children have begged me to stop thinking about her, to stop being so ‘weird’ in my fondness for the obscure. I can’t. Achashveiros wins the Putz Award, but Zeresh is a different kind of imbecile. If they ever make a film version of Megillat Esther, I’m signing up to audition el pronto for the role.
The not-so-funny but achingly poignant lessons of the Megillah occur when Mordechai implores Esther to intercede on behalf of her people, lest Haman’s genocidal plans come to fruition. Mordechai instructs Esther to plead with the king on behalf of her nation. She responds that to approach him without being summoned is tantamount to a death sentence. Mordechai responds to his niece with the words, “Do not think that you will escape
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WRITTEN IN FIRE
by Trevor James McNeil tremcneil1980@gmail.com
Jack of the Trades
The pressure to choose one thing and stick with it can be paralyzing. Modern edicts like “one’s wheel-house” or “stay in your lane” are based on an unfortunate misunderstanding of the ancient adage “Jack of all trades, master of none,” which is actually just the first half of the adage. Before changing at some unspecified point back in the ‘old country,’ the saying was always, “Jack of all trades, master of none, but oftentimes better than master of one.”
Someone who lived up to the latter half of this age-old wisdom was Matt Cohen. Born in 1942 in the throes of WWII in Montreal, Cohen’s early years were spent in the political pressure cooker of southern Ontario in the 1950s and 1960s, as Canada’s industrial hub went through the painful shift from protectionist conservatism to a more equitable approach influenced by post-war prosperity, sharpening preexisting class divides. Likely inspired by his era, Cohen went on to study political economy at the University of Toronto and went almost immediately into teaching, getting a position as an instructor in political philosophy and religion at McMaster University, following the trajectory of many writers before and since.
Writing all the while, his first novel, “Korsoniloff,” was published in 1969 when Cohen was 27. Soon after, he started teaching at McMaster. Typical of a first attempt by a young writer, it
The style of tight, descriptive prose with a slight twist of weirdness would become a hallmark of Cohen’s style in the coming decades.”
made little traction despite Cohen’s clear talent even at that embryonic stage.
Continuing to teach as an anchor, Cohen’s next book, “Johnny Crackle Sings” (1971), was a bit of a departure, coming in the form of a fragmented novella that combines aspects of both post-modernism and surrealism. Using the internal impressions and memories of a rock musician, the titular Johnny Crackle navigates the cultural landscape of the 1960s. 1972 saw Cohen’s foray into short fiction with the story collection “Columbus and the Fat Lady” followed by “Too Bad Galahad” later that year. The style of tight, descriptive prose with a slight twist of weirdness would become a hallmark of Cohen’s celebrated style in the coming decades.
Between a busy publishing schedule and his duties as a teacher, Cohen
found the time and energy to give back to the literary community that had already treated him so well, founding the Writers’ Union of Canada in 1973 as a member of the executive board.
Taking three years before anything else would see the light of day, Cohen took a turn for the epic. Published in 1974, “The Disinherited” is firmly rooted in the landscape of Cohen’s childhood. Set in a fictional town called Salem in the real regional area of eastern Ontario near the Quebec border, the plot explores the generational inheritance of rugged farmland in the ancient and immutable geography of the Canadian Shield.
Tightening another string on his bow, Cohen also tried his hand at poetry, publishing his first collection, “Peach Melba,” also in 1974. Despite the departure in form, Cohen’s wit, style, workmanship and slight oddness remained intact, the collection remaining very highly regarded in poetry circles despite being a debut effort.
Amping up his turn-out in terms of novels with the theme of gritty social realism, 1975’s “Wooden Hunters” follows a group of misfits isolating themselves, some by choice, on a remote island in British Columbia where logging and rustic tourism for urbanites looking for a safe sense of adventure are the only economies.
Never one to rest on his laurels, Cohen made a serious pivot into speculative dystopia with “The Colours
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Literature continued
of War.” Published in 1977, Cohen uses the tensions of the 1970s to create a vision of North America at war with itself, and the unwilling involvement of a young man who only wants to survive despite the reality of the situation. The novel echoes themes and conditions used to great effect in the 1985 Soviet anti-war film “Come and See,” which is named after a line in the Book of Revelation.
Taking a bit of a break, Cohen returned to short fiction in 1978, unleashing the collection “Night Fliers” followed quickly by “Leaves of Louise” that same year. Continuing with the lighter touch, Cohen published another novel set in Salem, ON, “The Sweet Second Summer of Kitty Malone” in 1979.
Slowing down a bit in terms of novels in the 1980s, the gap between new books increased to between three and four years, and it was the same with the short stories — adult fiction taking a sideline in favor of his most surprising change yet. Debuting in 1987, Cohen’s alter ego, Teddy Jams, published highly-influential children’s books including “Night Cars” (1987), “The Year of Fire” (1993) and “The Stoneboat” (1999).
Hitting his stride again in the late 90s, Cohen released five novels in nine years between 1990 and 1999. His fifth and final novel, “Elizabeth and After” (1999), is a stunning piece of cultural realism and psychological empathy with a touch of playing with timelines, which presents two interconnected love stories in different eras.
Never the sort to stop even when times were bad, Cohen had no less than three manuscripts in different genres (because of course he did), ready to be published after he’d passed. Matt Cohen died December 2, 1999, of lung cancer at the age of 56. A
Growing up in the far north, Trevor James McNeil had little to do other than read when the temperature went below 40 Celsius, and he developed an affinity for stories of all sorts. Graduating from the University of Victoria in 2009, he has been reading and writing in a professional capacity since. He lives in a cabin in the woods with his dog, and firmly believes The Smiths would have been better as a trio.
Israeli Lifestyle continued
the fate of all the Jews by being in the king’s palace. If you remain silent at this time, relief and salvation will come to the Jews from another source, and you and the house of your father will be lost. And who knows if it is not for just such a time that you reached this royal position.”
These lines are glaringly prophetic but not everyone is capable of heeding the forecast. And while it is certainly meritorious to find humor during times of darkness, it is equally important to know when to stop laughing and, with clarity and poise, act for the sake of Heaven. A
New York-born Andrea Simantov moved to Israel 29 years ago. She is a small-business owner and both a print and media journalist. Her popular podcast, “Pull Up a Chair,” is produced by Israel News Talk Radio. She can be reached at andrea@israelnewstalkradio.com.
Teaching the Holocaust Through Performance and Play
by Makayla Hoppe
Eleven years ago, Siobhan Crews set her sights on creating a theater company for children that would challenge them and treat them as working professionals. Thus, the Blue Rose Theatre Project was born. Their most recent production, and a lifelong passion project of Siobhan’s, is “Echoes of Courage.” The studentwritten and performed play was created with education in mind, providing teachers and their classrooms a new and engaging way to teach and learn about the Holocaust.
“‘Echoes Of Courage’ is an idea that I had about 30 years ago when I lived in Chicago,” Siobhan said. “I was working with teachers in schools, doing outreach, and I was really frustrated because teachers wouldn’t teach the Holocaust — it wasn’t mandatory — and they said it was just too hard, and kids couldn’t understand it.”
Siobhan had read “The Diary of Anne Frank” in third grade and was frustrated when she learned she wouldn’t be studying it in school. Instead, her class read “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.”
“I’ve been trying to understand it ever since,” she said.
She finally received funding for the project in 2019. Middle school students would interview survivors and research those who were lost, turning their stories into a play. Siobhan stood by her belief that if middle school kids could write it, they were mature and smart enough to learn about it.
The world-premiere production was held on April 7 and 8, 2025, at New Village Arts in Carlsbad. This year, “Echoes of Courage” was performed on Feb. 18 at the Grand Ritz Theater in Escondido.
“We’re doing this one to get a really solid video of the show that can
be distributed to schools across the country,” Siobhan said. “We’ve been asked by about eight schools to come in and do the show, but [the cast] is 20 kids from five different schools. I just can’t schedule that. We figured that a video would reach the most people. It comes with a study guide, a copy of the play, any resources the teachers need, and all the primary source material. So, we’re hoping that we’re making it easy on teachers.”
Siobhan’s goal for the project is to get the play and its materials to as many classrooms as possible.
“We really just want to get it out there so we can just openly share it with whoever — it’s never been meant to make money,” she said.
The Stories
Grace Howard is an 18-year-old UC Davis freshman on track to become a veterinarian. “Echoes of Courage”
by Sarah Gimbel.
Photos
learning a lot more about Rose Schindler, her stories became very personal to me, and I wanted to protect her hope, courage and spirit... I’m glad we could share this with you.”
The Actors
Middle school students interviewed survivors and researched those who were lost, turning their stories into a play.
began as one of her assignments while she was a student at the Rhoades School in Encinitas, but it transformed into something beyond the classroom. Grace helped start the project by working as one of the first writers on the play.
“I became very interested in a young girl, Rutka Laskier,” Grace said. “She was 14 years old and very close to my age at the time these assignments were given. I was mesmerized by her story through a 60-page diary she had written in Polish, chronicling several months of her life under the Nazi rule in 1943. Her diary remained in the hands of her friend for 64 years and was not released to the public until 2005. Rutka was one of the unfortunate individuals who did not survive.”
A good portion of the play follows Rose and Max Schindler, Holocaust survivors who lived in San Diego since 1956. Livia Hollingsworth Spiehler, an 18-year-old high school senior, is both a performer in the show and a contributing writer to the script, covering Rose and Max’s story.
“I was introduced to the project in sixth grade,” Livia said. “That’s when I started listening to a lot of podcasts of Rose Schindler... I’m so grateful for the project. I think that I continued with it through all these years because, after
After the performance on Feb. 18, the cast of children and young adults, aged 9 through 19, discussed being a part of the project and what it meant to them. The cast consisted of 60% non-Jewish and 40% Jewish students.
Regardless of upbringing or
religious background, the kids and young adults all found something meaningful in the experience.
Ari Gimbel, 12, both performed in and wrote the music for the show. He portrayed Motele Schlein, a “12-year-old Jewish musician who became a legendary partisan during the Holocaust.”
“He joined a resistance unit after his family was murdered by the Nazis and used his talent as a cover to perform at a Nazi officer’s club,” Ari said. “He smuggled explosives into the building in his violin case and detonated them, killing scores of German officers.”
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Teaching the Holocaust
Ari has been involved with the show since the world-premiere production last April.
“As the great-grandchild of Holocaust survivors, the idea of kids my own age educating our peers about the Holocaust really spoke to me,” he said.
In addition to the role of Motele, Ari also performed the role of a Nazi prison guard. He was asked how he felt about playing the role of a Nazi as a Jewish person.
“It was a very different experience than I’ve ever had. It was crazy deciding people’s fate with a flick of my finger. And that’s different from last time, where I only played Motele. That brought a new sense of understanding to it.”
Ari worked on the play’s music by listening to Holocaust-era songs and being inspired to write what came to his heart.
“I hope that future participants can learn more about the Holocaust than they ever have before, and start to feel a deep and personal connection, even
if they don’t have a family connection themselves,” he said.
The Butterfly Project
“Echoes of Courage” has partnered with The Butterfly Project to help audience members understand just how many children fell victim to the Holocaust. The organization operates worldwide by encouraging kids to paint ceramic butterflies and publicly display their art; they aim to reach 1.5 million butterflies, one for every child lost.
“I first met [The Butterfly Project] when I did ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ many years ago at North Coast Rep,” Siobhan said. “That’s where I met Rose Schindler. She came and spoke to the audience after the shows. There’s
nothing more powerful than having a personal connection, and that’s what The Butterfly Project specializes in. They make sure that they have people talking to you who have a family history — who can tell you real stories.”
Special To San Diego
Siobhan aims to get “Echoes of Courage” taught to students across the country, and even around the world (“Some schools in Europe may be interested as well,” Siobhan added). However, the project is very rooted in San Diego. Local students wrote the script, inspired by some survivors who made San Diego their home..
“San Diego does such phenomenal work,” Siobhan said. “There was a very large group of survivors at one point. Unfortunately, we’ve lost a lot of them. San Diego really has the heart of the Jewish community. They do their best to put out the information and get people to understand that the stories are not just stories, the stories are real.”
Congratulations to the cast and artistic team behind “Echoes of Courage.” May each story live on for generations to come. A
For more information on “Echoes of Courage,” visit bluerosetheatreproject.org.
Siobhan Crews and Ari Gimbel.
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We are here for those individuals currently living in their cars, providing the immediate support and dignity they need to lift them out of crisis. Whoever they are, and whatever their story, we ensure that no Jewish members in our community have to face their hardest moment alone.
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The Lessons of Purim
by Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort
The Jewish people are blessed with a unique calendar, specific to Judaism. There are numerous significant days, each with its own observances and traditions. Foremost is the Shabbat, a weekly day devoted to our relationship with the Creator, family and community.
Other days of great importance include Passover, when we commemorate the Exodus from Egypt and the birth of our nation, and Shavuot, when we commemorate the gifting of the Torah and the formalization of our role within the world. Then come the High Holidays: Rosh Hashanah, when we re-accept upon ourselves G-d’s sovereignty, Yom Kippur, the day we address our shortcomings and re-affirm our connection to the Almighty, and Sukkot, when we commemorate the protection enjoyed by the Jewish people during their time wandering in the desert.
All the above-mentioned holidays are commanded in the Torah. There are, however, additional holidays mandated by the Rabbis. The Rabbinic holidays include Chanukah, which commemorates the miraculous victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian Greeks
A series of seemingly disconnected events, when viewed after the fact, point to G-d’s authorship.
and the rededication of the Holy Temple with the lighting of the Menorah. And then we have Purim, the holiday that commemorates a series of seemingly disconnected events, which when viewed after the fact, point to G-d’s authorship of the specific details within the minutiae of daily life.
The Jewish people had achieved high office, wealth, (relative) freedom and power within the ancient Persian empire, which was the superpower of its day and age. A nefarious and villainous individual usurped his way into the good graces of King Ahachashvairosh.
Haman had an implacable hatred of the Jewish people. Imagine, a single individual able to orchestrate the potential annihilation of the entire
Jewish people, G-d forbid. But then again, the seeds of hatred he sowed must have found fertile ground in which to sprout.
Does this story sound familiar?
Through extraordinary divine intervention, Haman’s evil plot came down upon his own head. He and his co-conspirators were the ones who were destroyed, and the Jewish people were not only saved, but experienced unprecedented influence and blessings thereafter.
Perhaps the most extraordinary aspect of the Purim story, as told in the Book of Esther, is how G-d’s authorship is deeply camouflaged, so deeply in fact, that His name does not appear in the Megillah at all. From this anomaly we are meant to learn that G-d’s presence is indeed ever-present. He is always right here, among us, involved with us, and guiding our steps. We must simply attune our senses to perceive Him. The blessings of properly attuning ourselves to be receptive are far too numerous to specify. But what we can do is picture the peace of mind we must surely experience when we are confident in the knowledge
that our Father in Heaven is also our G-d, who is intimately connected and involved in every aspect of our lives. When heading to the synagogue on Purim, try to meditate on G-d’s closeness and connection when listening to the inspiring words of the Megillah. Picture the Almighty’s unwavering love for each of us when spreading that love through the Purim commandments of giving charity to the poor, sharing food gifts with our fellows, and participating in a festive Purim banquet. A feeling of wellbeing and joy will envelop each of us. And we will truly experience “A freilichen Purim,” a Purim filled with happiness! A
Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort co-directs, with his wife Rebbetzin Nechama Eilfort, Coastal Chabads, Chabad at La Costa, Encinitas, and Carlsbad North where everyone, regardless of level of knowledge or observance, feels cherished and loved. Rabbi Eilfort welcomes and encourages comments and questions: rabbie@chabadatlacosta.com.
POPULARBACKBYDEMAND!
Medical misadventures, Jewish wit and real-life storytelling in one hilarious evening of stand up.
Dr. Maisel knows the heart inside and out. For decades, the former cardiologist treated the sickest patients at the VA hospital and pioneered a lifesaving diagnostic test. He also knows laughter is powerful medicine.
In a comedic coming-of-age story, Maisel draws on a life of outrageous experiences, from growing up as one of the only Jewish kids in rural Michigan (I was basically a ‘Jewnicorn’), to wrestling racists in medical school, to sewing up a postpartum episiotomy a little too complete.
Maisel’s performance pulses with rhythm and sharp punch lines that keep audiences roaring from start to finish. The result is fast-paced stand up that is equal parts heart and hilarity.
Hollenbeck. Produced by Victor Paz Jr.
Fox Point Farms — A Community Idyll
by Susan Edelstein
Located in Encinitas just off Highway 5 is a 21.5-acre world unto itself called Fox Point Farms whose goal is “activating regeneration in agriculture and community.” In other words, an agrihood. The core of Fox Point Farms consists of a 3-acre farm which supplies and supports the surrounding components including a market, a restaurant, a brewery, a cafe, an apothecary and more. This area is lush with the Encinitas Ranch Golf Course across the street and San Diego Botanic Gardens right down the road. Fox Point Farms blends into the neighborhood in terms of its love and appreciation for nature’s beauty and bounty. The Farm is sustainable, resilient, and its “closedloop process” eliminates waste, recycles byproducts, drives efficiency and steers clear of supply chains. All good for the planet. But even better, Fox Point Farms has become a gathering place for the community. On any given day, there are people, children, dogs all milling about and partaking of the Farm’s myriad offerings.
The creator and owner of Fox Point Farms, Brian Grover, began this expansive project with a clear intention as he told SDJJ, “Since envisioning the community back in 2017, it was always clear this needed to be something real
and authentic, not just a development, but a place built with intention and lived in daily.” Fox Point Farms is a “true farm-first model paired with restaurants, a market, and gathering spaces that make the farm financially resilient
and constantly experienced by the community, not just visited.”
When asked what it took to bring this project to fruition, Brian said, “What made Fox Point Farms possible was a unique set of circumstances: the right
The community was designed from the start to blend a working farm, hospitality, and a walkable neighborhood into one integrated ecosystem.
piece of land, in the right place, with a prior landowner that believed in our vision. And even then, it took a long time, a lot of patience, a little bit of luck, and a very clear vision to justify why keeping meaningful open space and a working
farm here matters. So yes, it was difficult. But that’s also why Fox Point Farms is so special.”
As San Diego’s first agrihood, it was important that Fox Point Farms be more than just an occasional destination, that it would “truly resonate with the local community, meeting the demand for a place where engagement is naturally built into the design. The community was designed from the start to blend a working farm, hospitality, and a walkable neighborhood into one integrated ecosystem—not a ‘farm theme,’ but real agriculture that actually drives the food, the programming, and the daily rhythms.”
The Farm’s devotion to the land will allow its ecosystems to thrive for “generations to come.” As Brian explained, “When we say ‘generations to come,’ we mean we’re managing the farm so the land gets healthier over time, rather than more depleted. We focus on building soil health (compost, cover crops, minimal disturbance), rotating crops and animals so the ground can recover, and creating habitat with diverse plantings that support pollinators, birds and beneficial insects. In a coastal region where open space is constantly under pressure, preserving and actively stewarding this acreage helps the ecosystem stay resilient for decades, so future families inherit a place that’s more alive, not less.”
There are many events on offer at Fox Point Farms which encourage people to return again and again. For example, there are daily tours led by one of the farmers where you get to stroll among all the growing things and meet and feed the animals, and on Tuesdays and
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At left & above: Haven Farm + Table restaurant. Photos courtesy Fox Point Farms.
PHOTOS: Maria Russo.
Fridays, you can get your hands in the soil and learn new gardening practices. There is live, outdoor music spotlighting local musicians on Tuesdays and Fridays at sunset, and Monday brewery tours and tastings as well as Wednesday wine tastings. The atmosphere at Fox Point is easygoing and inviting and friends and families meet there regularly. There are also hands-on workshops where you can create herbal-infused oils or pressed flower designs. The wellness studio offers restorative sessions of yoga, Pilates and dance in a serene setting. Fox Point also has spring break camps for kids ages 5-12 which include planting, harvesting and caring for the animals. Also within this sprawling development are 250 residential units including 40 units of affordable housing. Now they’ve thought of everything, you might never have to leave the Farm!
Indeed, Fox Point Farms is an intentional community sanctuary where people want to gather, eat, drink and socialize. You can relax, enjoy a cup of coffee or a beer, both brewed on site, while the kids frolic on the expansive lawn. You can dine in at Haven restaurant or gather goodies to go at Harvest Market, all options straight from the Farm.
Brian has brought together an impressive crew of farmers, chefs and artisans who present the Farm’s bounty in each separate entity and link the whole thing together.
“Farmers, chefs, artisans, brewers and facilitators are all aligned around a shared purpose: building something meaningful and rooted in sustainability. The collaboration between teams creates constant knowledge-sharing and collective momentum. It’s a group of people who believe in the mission and want to build something lasting together.”
As a resident at the Farm, some of Brian’s favorite experiences are “the simple times with his kids on the farm. Some days he’ll take his daughter on a horse ride around the property, waving to neighbors along the way. Other days his son is up on the tractor with him, wanting to help and be part of the crew. What he loves just as much is watching other kids interacting with the property: climbing, exploring, and getting curious around the animals and fields in a way that’s primal, timeless and instinctive, not driven by screens or technology.”
Fox Point Farms is proving that an agrihood can be more than just an idyllic aspiration, it can be a repeatable, sustainable microcosm where residents and neighbors connect with the land through food and shared experience. A
Top: Harvest Market and Haven restaurant, from farm perspective. Bottom: The farm tractor train.
PHOTO: Cori Lynn Deason.
PHOTO: Maria Russo.
Proud and Prepared:
A First-Hand Perspective on Jewish Activism and College Readiness in San Diego
by Sydney Geft
As high school juniors working towards success in the college admission process next fall, my classmates and I are under constant stress to get good grades, high SAT and ACT scores, and participate in impressive extracurricular activities while trying to have an enjoyable high school experience. Assuming all of our hard work pays off, we will finally be able to exhale next year when we are committed to our college of choice and excited for a new journey. However, amidst all of the excitement we will feel upon entering college will be a shared nervous feeling knowing that a lot of the campuses have been platforms and settings for antisemitism. It’s unsettling to realize that all of our hard work throughout high school will land us in a place where we may feel ashamed of our Jewish identity.
But thankfully, the Jewish community in San Diego has prepared
us for the harsh reality we may face. Specifically, I am actively learning how to combat antisemitic rhetoric and action in nonviolent ways in the American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) Leaders for Tomorrow (LFT) San Diego Cohort.
I am one of 19 sophomores and juniors from various local schools who meet for two hours once a month at Congregation Beth El to learn how to advocate for Jewish people in the intimidating world we will soon enter. Under the leadership of Dr. Sara Brown, Kelsey Greenberg, Sophia Muroff and Sebastian Feldman, we learn how to eloquently, politely and effectively support and defend the Jewish people and the state of Israel to people with differing and often hostile views.
Next month, our cohort will go to Washington, D.C., to speak with legislators about antisemitic issues. Each of us is also required to plan and execute advocacy projects in San Diego. My project
addresses the boycott against Israeli and Israel-supporting artists, films and brands — I have created social media pages to publicly celebrate and endorse Jewish media. I am also planning to host a series of dance classes for Jewish youth at local studios to enhance their pride in their culture, learn new Israeli songs, and have a great time dancing with their friends.
There are 18 other creative and impactful advocacy projects in progress from the rest of my cohort, all of which give back to our San Diego Jewish community while preparing us for life outside of this community in only two short years. A
Sydney Geft is a 16-year-old junior at San Diego Jewish Academy. She is currently working hard in order to gain acceptance to an esteemed university where she hopes to study political science and continue dancing competitively.
Creating Something Out of Nothing in Israel
by Galia Sprung
Iwas sorting books for the move from our house to an apartment.
As I relegated books to the recycle bags and saved others for a book dealer who somehow finds homes for them, I pulled out “The Holt Guide to English” and paused. I even caressed the blue cover. The first professional book I ever bought — in desperation — when I fell into teaching English.
My first husband and I divorced in 1980, and I moved with our daughters, then seven and five years old, to an agricultural boarding school located on moshav Nahalal, an agricultural community in northern Israel. With no family in Israel and no money, a friend used her influence to get me a job as an “alternate” housemother. This title was created especially for me. Each day, I’d
take over for one of the dorms, allowing the permanent housemother a day off.
It was a job, and it included living accommodations. Within a week of arriving, even before the school year began, word was out that a native English speaker was in town. The “Please tutor my son — or daughter” requests astounded me. No questions asked about my experience or credentials. Being a native speaker was my doctorate. What did I care? I needed the money, so I agreed.
After the first few sessions with these junior high and high school kids, I had to admit that I was drowning in the oblivious world of native speakers of any language: You know how to read and write properly, but nothing about the rules that got you there. >>
I drove to Haifa, found a bookstore and bought my first professional reference book. I gave it a place of honor — in the bathroom.
“No, we don’t say, ‘If I will see him...’ I’d correct Tamar as I drank my tea.
“But why? In Hebrew we...” she’d ask, seriously needing an explanation.
“Because in English... Oh, excuse me a second. I really need to run to the bathroom... I’ll be right back,” I’d say and run into the bathroom, look up the rules for using conditionals (as I learned they are called), flush the unused toilet and go back armed with the knowledge of a real English teacher! And the students kept coming. The English department head was also thrilled to find a native speaker, experienced or not.
“Do you have a college degree?” Ivan asked.
That’s all that mattered.
“Yes. I majored in political science and journalism at UCLA.”
“Journalism? You can teach!” I started with 8th grade boys whose English was close to nonexistent. And I loved it.
Ivan opened the door to the English teaching world for me, but it was my colleague Sheila who pushed me all the way through it. She left school that December when her husband’s company sent him off to Africa for a two-year stint. In desperation, the school gave me her schedule of three classes, making me a full-time English teacher — and full-time alternate housemother. Every morning, I left my sleeping daughters and went to my assigned dorm for the day. I walked into 10 or 12 rooms, to wake up these teenagers, making sure they washed the floor of their room before leaving for breakfast. After breakfast and after going to my quarters and getting my daughters ready for school (they walked on their own with other children), I returned to the dorm to supervise the
My first professional book, “The Holt Guide to English” still had a place on my shelf many years later.
Photos courtesy Galia Sprung.
two students who, instead of attending their first period classes, cleaned the dorm. I was also coordinator of the music lessons, a nothing job I was assigned to help justify my being on the payroll. I’d sit in the music room at a little table, making sure that the various music teachers arrived at their appointed time, filled in the chart for the following lessons and scheduled practice times. Boring. I don’t do boring.
I came to Israel to be a pioneer. To be a farmer on a border moshav, but here I was on Israel’s first moshav, now well-established, celebrating its 60th anniversary. Divorce took away the moshav that I had helped create, leaving me sitting in a cold music room, or teaching English like so many Englishspeaking immigrants. The dream I had been living — working in the fields, driving a tractor, being spokesperson for the moshav — was no longer. I needed something special. Something I couldn’t be doing if I had stayed in the States. My music-room job included working with the older kids who were part of the school’s popular “Lahaka” musical troupe, which sang and danced in the fashion of the famous army performing troupes of the day. The army troupes were prestigious and the launch pad
continues on next page >>
Something Out of Nothing
for success in the entertainment world after completing army service. Topol, Yehoram Gaon, Arik Einstein and Shlomo Artzi are just a few worldrenowned performers who got their start in a lahaka.
In those days, even a boarding school lahaka was glamorous. I manipulated my boring duties into a position the school quickly realized they couldn’t do without — a position that gave me purpose and prestige.
I started out just scheduling rehearsal time for the lahaka but saw an opportunity. I had to make myself indispensable to the performers. I took their costumes to the moshav laundry and retrieved them as the first step. I attended every rehearsal to “help” with incidentals — whatever they were. Where
the troupe was, so was I. A performance at another school? Of course I had to accompany them. I managed the props. I cared for the costumes. I cared for them. I helped with makeup (Me help with makeup? I faked the expertise). They now relied on me. No one questioned my responsibilities. I became the responsible adult for their travels. We — it was now “we”— were invited several times to the President’s Residence, the Knesset and WIZO (Women’s Internation Zionist Organization) dinners with the richest women in Israel and VIPs from abroad. Going to these venues gave me a reason to dress up, to put on my own makeup (no one to help me!), to worry about how my hair looked. All inspiring and uplifting, combatting my feelings of loss and insignificance. I was integral to something — to the success of the Lahaka’s
LEFT: Lahaka publicity photo, 1981.
BELOW: Visiting my old dorm thirty years later. (The dorm and the school were no longer in use as a new modern regional school had been built.)
performances. This, however, did not endear me to the other housemothers. Before I parlayed my assignment to the music department — in the days when I was still an alternate house mother and teaching only one or two classes — I had tried to get the housemothers included in staff meetings with homeroom teachers, guidance counselors, and group counselors. I thought we should be more involved in the whole picture of working with boarding school kids, especially since the majority came from very difficult backgrounds.
“Stop making waves!” the women told me. “We’re not interested. Who needs meetings?” But now they were jealous of my status, my travels — or “getting out of work” as they saw it. I saw
it as making something out of nothing. They were content with making sure dorm kids knew how to wring out floor cloths. I wasn’t. I made a job where none had been.
The following year, a housemother left the campus, and I was given my own dorm of 10th grade girls. In addition, I taught five classes and was given one day a week off to study at Oranim Teachers’ College. I was also taking evening classes from Haifa University to meet the ministry’s requirements to get my teaching license. Fortunately, during the first year, my daughters and I became close with two high school girls at the school who became my unofficial adopted daughters. They babysat for my girls when I had my evening classes, made their Purim costumes, came over for dinner, braided their hair and generally helped out — all strictly against
boarding school policy. Years later, we danced at their weddings and attended the brit mila ceremonies for their babies. I bought many more reference books during those two years at the school and attended every professional conference for English teachers. I later sat for matriculation exams — in Hebrew — for immigrant teachers, a requirement for certification. I went through that doorway Ivan had opened and found a career. I taught high school English for 25 years and continued for many years after retirement as a senior matriculation exam marker and worked part time for the ministry of education. My new career wasn’t all I took away from our two years at Nahalal. There was a simple chair the troupe used that had the word “Lahaka” stenciled on the back. I don’t remember why they needed their own chairs, but somehow one ended up
on the moving truck when we left, as did a thick plastic hanger with the same stenciled word. I don’t think anybody missed them. The hanger was a souvenir; the chair I just needed. Forty-four years have passed, and the hanger is in my closet. The chair’s blue lamination slowly warped over time, and a few years ago, it was placed on the junk pile for pickup. It would not have made the cut for our downsizing anyway. “The Holt” book, although in excellent condition, didn’t either, but I found it a good home. A
Galia Miller Sprung moved to Israel from Palm Springs, California in 1970 to become a pioneer farmer and was a founding member of a moshav in the Jordan Rift Valley. Today, she is a retired high school teacher, a writer and editor. She lives with her husband in Tzufim.
A CENTURY OF PARTNERSHIP:
American Friends of the Hebrew University and the Transformation of Scientific Innovation
The establishment of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) in 1925 represented more than the founding of an academic institution; it embodied a visionary approach to knowledge creation that would fundamentally reshape scientific inquiry in the Middle East and beyond. Concurrently, the formation of American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) under the leadership of philanthropist Felix M. Warburg created an unprecedented model of international academic partnership that has sustained and amplified the University’s impact for a full century.
This relationship produced measurable outcomes across multiple dimensions of human progress: scientific breakthroughs that have saved millions of lives, technological innovations that have transformed industries, and social research that has influenced policy worldwide. The partnership between AFHU and Hebrew University represents a paradigmatic example of how sustained philanthropic investment in academic excellence can generate returns that benefit all humanity.
Historical Foundation and Visionary Leadership
The conceptual framework for Hebrew University emerged from the First Zionist Congress in 1897, but its realization required the collaborative vision of extraordinary intellectual leaders. Albert Einstein, whose theoretical contributions revolutionized physics, served not merely as a founding father but as an active participant in the University’s development.
His role extended beyond symbolic endorsement to practical engagement: he delivered the University’s inaugural scientific lecture, edited its first collection of scientific papers, and served on both the Board of Governors and Academic Council. Einstein’s commitment to the institution was so profound that he bequeathed his entire literary estate and personal papers to Hebrew University in his last will and testament. This bequest, which included over 55,000 items ranging from scientific manuscripts to personal correspondence, established the Albert Einstein Archives as one of the world’s most significant repositories of scientific and intellectual history. The economic value of Einstein’s intellectual property rights, which Hebrew University holds exclusively, continues to generate resources that support research and education.
The University’s founding committee included other luminaries whose contributions shaped modern thought. Sigmund Freud, whose psychoanalytic theories transformed psychology and psychiatry, lent his support to an institution dedicated to advancing human understanding.
Martin Buber, the philosopher whose work on dialogue and human relationships influenced both academic discourse and practical conflict resolution, saw in Hebrew University a platform for exploring the fundamental questions of human existence.
Chaim Weizmann, who would become Israel’s first president, understood that the University represented what he termed “the first major project of modern Zionism.” His vision extended beyond nationalist aspirations to
END PHOTOS: Then & Now: 100 Years of transformative research at the Hebrew University. CENTER PHOTO: An oil painting by Leopold Pilichowski titled “The Opening of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem,” depicting the opening ceremony held on HU’s Mt. Scopus campus on April 1, 1925.
encompass a universal commitment to scientific progress and humanitarian advancement.
The Centennial Moment: Reflection and Vision
Joshua Rednik, CEO of American Friends of the Hebrew University, articulates the profound significance of this centennial milestone with clarity and conviction. “Over the last 100 years, few institutions have had as significant an impact on the land, people, and politics of Israel as the Hebrew University,” Rednik states. “We frequently say Hebrew University was the original Zionist project before Israel was even Israel. It has touched every corner of Israeli society.”
When Rednik assumed his role in 2022, he expressed being “thrilled and honored to lead AFHU into the future as the University approaches the centennial of its opening in 2025,” noting that “rarely has a University contributed so profoundly and left such an indelible mark on humanity through its award-winning research, visionary leadership, extraordinary facilities, brilliant faculties and dedicated students.”
Professor Tamir Sheafer, President of the Hebrew University, emphasizes the University’s comprehensive mission: “As a leading research institution, the Hebrew University sees itself as responsible for educating future generations, conducting groundbreaking research across nearly all fields of study, fostering extensive international engagement in both research and teaching, building strong ties with advanced industries in Israel and abroad, nurturing a diverse academic community, and translating knowledge into meaningful social impact while maintaining deep involvement in local communities, throughout Israel and within the international community as well.” His vision encompasses not merely academic excellence but social responsibility and global engagement, priorities that align seamlessly with AFHU’s commitment to connecting resources with Israeli innovation.
These perspectives from both AFHU and Hebrew University leadership demonstrate the alignment of vision and purpose that has sustained the partnership through a century of dramatic change and challenge.
Quantifiable Impact on Scientific and Medical Progress
The partnership between AFHU and Hebrew University has generated measurable outcomes that demonstrate the tangible value of sustained philanthropic investment in research excellence. Hebrew University faculty and alumni have received ten Nobel Prizes across multiple disciplines, with particular strength in economics and sciences. Fittingly, the most recent Nobel Prize was awarded in 2025 to Prof. Joel Mokyr, an HU alumnus and current visiting professor, for his contributions to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying sustained technological progress and the role of innovation in economic development.
Daniel Kahneman’s receipt of the 2002 Nobel Prize in Economics for his work on behavioral economics, conducted while at Hebrew University, fundamentally altered how
economists understand human decision-making. His collaboration with Amos Tversky produced insights that have influenced fields ranging from public policy to corporate strategy, with applications that affect millions of lives through improved healthcare delivery, financial services, and educational approaches.
Robert Aumann’s 2005 Nobel Prize in Economics recognized his pioneering work in game theory, mathematical frameworks that have proven essential for understanding strategic interactions in economics, politics, and social relations. Aumann’s contributions have practical applications in auction design, negotiation theory, and conflict resolution— tools that governments and organizations worldwide employ to achieve more efficient outcomes.
The University’s medical research has produced breakthroughs with direct humanitarian impact. Hebrew University researchers have contributed to advances in cancer treatment, Alzheimer’s research, and infectious disease management. The institution’s work in agricultural sciences has led to the development of drought-resistant crops and innovative irrigation technologies that address food security challenges in developing nations.
Perhaps most significantly, Hebrew University has generated over 11,500 registered patents, ranking among the top institutions globally for technology transfer and commercialization. These patents have spawned more than 180 start-ups, creating economic value that extends far beyond academic recognition. The University’s technology transfer activities demonstrate how basic research can generate practical applications that benefit society while creating sustainable revenue streams for continued scientific advancement.
Economic and Social Transformation
The partnership between AFHU and Hebrew University has catalyzed economic development that extends throughout Israel and into the global technology sector. Hebrew University graduates have founded or led major technology companies, contributing to Israel’s emergence as a leading innovation economy. The institution produces one-third of Israel’s civilian research output, making it a central driver of the “start-up” nation.
AFHU’s fundraising capabilities have been instrumental in this transformation. In this past fiscal year ending September 2025, the organization raised $89.2 million—the largest annual contribution in its history—demonstrating the continued confidence that American donors place in Hebrew University’s mission. This financial support has enabled the University to attract and retain world-class faculty, construct state-of-theart research facilities, and provide scholarships that ensure access to education regardless of economic background.
The social impact of this partnership extends beyond economic metrics to encompass contributions to democratic governance, social justice, and cultural understanding. Hebrew University graduates include four Israeli Prime continues on next page >>
Ministers, numerous Supreme Court justices, and leaders across multiple sectors of Israeli society. Twenty-five percent of current Knesset members and two-thirds of Israel’s Supreme Court justices are Hebrew University alumni, indicating the institution’s profound influence on democratic institutions and legal frameworks.
The University’s commitment to diversity has created educational opportunities for students from all backgrounds, including Arab-Israeli students who comprise nearly 20% of the student body. This inclusive approach has generated research and policy recommendations that address minority rights, social integration, and conflict resolution — contributions that have relevance far beyond Israel’s borders.
Contemporary Challenges and Institutional Resilience
The two years following October 7, 2023, have presented Hebrew University with unprecedented challenges. The conflict resulted in over 7,500 Hebrew University students, faculty, and staff being called to military service and has had a profound impact on the entire university community.
Despite these challenges, the University has maintained its research output and educational programs, demonstrating the institutional strength that has remained for a century. The enduring partnership between AFHU and HU has been resilient during times of crisis and validates the long-term strategy that both organizations have pursued, showing how sustained philanthropic commitment creates institutions capable of weathering extraordinary difficulties while maintaining their core mission.
Hebrew University’s research partnerships span continents, creating networks of scientific collaboration that amplify the impact of AFHU’s investments and extend HU’s knowledge and expertise across the globe. The institution maintains active research collaborations with leading universities in the United States, Europe, and Asia, facilitating knowledge transfer that benefits the global scientific community. AFHU stands squarely alongside the University in efforts to mitigate the worldwide rise in antisemitism and efforts to derail Israeli academia.
Future Directions and Strategic Opportunities
As both institutions enter their second century, strategic opportunities exist to expand their impact across multiple dimensions. Hebrew University’s goal of achieving a toptwenty global ranking is supported by AFHU’s commitment to raising $100 million annually, a target that would provide resources for faculty recruitment, infrastructure development, and program expansion.
The emergence of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and sustainable energy as critical research areas presents opportunities for Hebrew University to build on its existing strengths in computer science, medicine, and environmental research. AFHU’s role in connecting American expertise
and resources with Hebrew University’s research capabilities positions the partnership to address emerging global challenges in these fields.
The growing recognition of mental health, social inequality, and democratic resilience as critical societal issues aligns with Hebrew University’s strengths in psychology, sociology, and political science. Research in these areas, supported by AFHU’s fundraising capabilities, can generate insights and interventions that benefit societies worldwide.
The Boundless Potential of Collective Partnership
Now that the centennial year has concluded, the partnership between American Friends of the Hebrew University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem stands as a testament to the transformative power of sustained philanthropic commitment to academic excellence. The measurable outcomes — ten Nobel Prizes, over 11,500 patents, hundreds of medical breakthroughs, and countless contributions to human knowledge — demonstrate the tangible returns that result from long-term investment in research and education.
More significantly, this partnership has created an institutional model that demonstrates how international collaboration can address global challenges while fostering scientific advancement and social progress. The relationship between AFHU and Hebrew University proves that sustained commitment to academic excellence generates benefits that extend far beyond the immediate recipients of that support.
The future remains uncharted, filled with challenges that current knowledge cannot fully anticipate and opportunities that emerging technologies will create. Yet, the centurylong partnership between AFHU and Hebrew University has established a foundation of institutional strength, international collaboration, and innovative capacity that suggests no challenge is insurmountable when approached through collective commitment to scientific excellence and humanitarian values.
Through their continued partnership, American Friends of the Hebrew University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have demonstrated that there is no limit to what can be accomplished when vision, resources, and dedication combine in service of advancing human knowledge and improving the world for all people. The next century beckons with possibilities that their collective strength and shared commitment make not only achievable, but inevitable.
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Samuel's Story: Back on the Road, Back to Life
The Need: A Crisis of Independence
Our member, Samuel, an 80-year-old widower living in a remote trailer in East County, found himself at a breaking point. Navigating life with a handicap and grieving the recent loss of his wife, his world was turned upside down by a double automotive crisis.
After 2 tires blew out on his truck, he veered off the road. For him, his truck isn't a luxury; it is his only way to reach doctors and grocery stores. Without it, his ability to live independently was impossible.
How
We Helped: Bridging the Gap
Having supported this member with a $360 on-going monthly rent stipend, Kindness Initiative was ready to step in when this emergency hit. Our Case Manager, who conducted the initial in-person intake at the member’s home, maintained close contact to understand the urgency of the situation. We facilitated an emergency purchase of four new truck tires.
In His Own Words
The member’s gratitude highlights the profound emotional weight of this assistance "I recently contacted Kindness at a point in my life where I needed help and felt desperate... I am completely reliant on my automobile in order to shop, visit my doctors, and basically live independently. I have no desire to live any other way. I was close to losing hope. That has changed around with the help of Kindness."
- Samuel
The Outcome: Tears of Relief
When we confirmed that the tires were approved and payment would be sent to the mechanic, Samuel was overcome with emotion. He called our office in tears, not of sadness, but of pure relief and joy. Because of this intervention, a kind, appreciative senior is no longer "losing hope" and can continue to live the independent life he deserves.
Photo: Micah Siva
Food
BY MICAH SIVA
Jewish-ish Brussels Chopped Salad
I firmly believe that life is too short to eat bad salads, and I’m always on a mission to make a hearty, craveable salad that includes something for each of the five tastes — from sweet to umami. Inspired by Italian chopped salads with cheese, tomatoes, pickled things, I wanted to make it a little Jew-ish. It can be hard to find a solid vegetarian chopped salad, one that feels hearty but also light, fresh and also withstands time. And in my quest of spending less money dining out and more time dining in, I knew I had to play around with a version of my own. I love using shaved brussels sprouts in my salads — it means that leftovers taste incredible and there’s no risk of wilting. To shave my brussels, I use the slicing disc on my food processor to make easy work. Let this sit before serving — it just gets better with time!
2. Combine the brussels sprouts and salad dressing in a large bowl, tossing to combine. Let the dressing sit and marinate the brussels for 30 minutes. While the brussels marinate and soak up the dressing, you can chop and prep all your other ingredients.
3. Once the brussels sprouts have marinated, add the chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, parsley, dill, red onion, dates and feta cheese. Toss to combine.
4. Add the pita chips right before serving.
Local Arts
BY EILEEN SONDAK
THE OLD GLOBE THEATRE
theoldglobe.org
The Old Globe’s brand new version of Ibsen’s groundbreaking masterpiece, “Hedda Gabler,” will keep audiences glued to their seats through March 15. This emotion-packed take on the enduring classic stars the mesmerizing Katie Holmes in the title role. What a treat for local theatergoers.
Fiasco Theater returned to the Globe’s White Theatre with a Globecommissioned world premiere, titled “Bartleby,” adapted from a work by Herman Melville. This side-splitting exploration of work and will has a very contemporary twist and a generous helping of the absurd. You can enter Bartleby’s exciting world through March 15
SAN DIEGO
JUNIOR THEATRE
juniortheatre.com
“Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” is at the Casa del Prado through March 15. This appealing musical revolves around the journey of a brave young girl determined to change her family’s fortune. The story weaves folklore and fantasy to create a memorable theatrical experience for audiences of all ages.
LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE
lajollaplayhouse.org
The La Jolla Playhouse is serving up a delicious world premiere. “Recipe,” based on a book by Bob Spitz, follows the renowned chef – Julia Child –from her early days in Pasadena to Paris. In the City of Lights, Child honed her skills at the celebrated Cordon Bleu and found true love. This new play will whet your appetite for more Julia through March 22
NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE
northcoastrep.org
North Coast Repertory Theatre is ready to unveil a world premiere production of “The Maltese Falcon,” a compelling adaptation of the beloved film noir. The show, opening on March 4, is being described as “full of humorous deadly intrigue.” If that description intrigues you, you can see the hard-boiled detective, Sam Spade, at the top of his game through April 5. Sounds like it has all the elements of a tense thriller, with comic undertones.
NORTH COAST REP: Richard Baird and Louis Lotorto in the World Premiere of “The Maltese Falcon.” Photo by Aaron Rumley.
LA JOLLA MUSIC SOCIETY
theconrad.org
The La Jolla Music Society will be presenting The Bad Plus with Chris Potter and Craig Taborn, delivering two performances on March 12, followed on March 20 by Le Consort: A Trio Sonata Soiree, as part of the chamber music series. Violinist Augustin Hadelich and pianist Francesco Piemontesi are on tap for March 21 for the Winterfest Gala. Doodle Pop will entertain the small fry set on March 22 and virtuoso pianist Lang Lang will thrill audiences on March 26. The Ravi Shankar Ensemble rounds out the month for the La Jolla Music Society on March 29
CYGNET THEATRE
cygnettheatre.com
“The Lehman Trilogy” is slated to open on March 25. The epic Tony Award-winning play spans more than 150 years, tracing the triumphs and low points of the Lehman Brothers from their immigrant roots to the height of their Wall Street power. This thought-provoking and visually striking theatrical tour de force will remain on the boards through April 19
LAMB’S PLAYERS THEATRE
lambsplayers.org
The Lamb’s Coronado home will lead audiences on a “hysterical adventure” on March 25, when “The Play That Goes Wrong” takes up residency. The farcical comedy uses slapstick and physical comedy to tell the story of an amateur theater company’s ill-fated attempt to stage a 1920s murder. The show will keep theater buffs in stitches through May 24
NEW VILLAGE ARTS
newvillagearts.org
New Village Arts Theatre will present “Matt & Ben” on March 27. The zany San Diego premiere is a send-up of the creativity and friendship between Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. You can have a laugh-out-loud good time at the theater with this new work through April 3
Broadway San Diego will be presenting “The Notebook — The Musical” April 14-19 at the Civic Theatre. Based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic film, “The Notebook — The Musical,” featuring music and lyrics by multiplatinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, is a not-to-be-missed love story for the ages “full of butterfly-inducing highs and beautiful songs.”
NEW VILLAGE ARTS: San Diego Premiere of “Matt & Ben,” March 27-April 3.
LA JOLLA MUSIC SOCIETY: “Doodle Pop.”
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• We treat patients of all ages — including those with complex medical histories — and offer 24/7 availability for patient support.
• All care is provided exclusively by Dr. Tsvetov, from consultation through surgery and final restoration.
• For patients with limited upper jaw bone, we offer zygomatic and pterygoid implants to avoid invasive sinus lifts and bone grafting. We also offer subperiosteal implants for those who aren’t candidates for traditional dental implants but want a fixed solution
• All prosthetics are designed and crafted in our on-site dental lab for a precise, personalized fit.
• We use premium brand materials and offer a lifetime implant warranty
• Transparent, fair pricing and flexible financing options are available.
Temecula Dental Implants & Oral Surgery temeculafacialoralsurgery.com | 951-302-9100
Harold Pidgeon – Rancho Santa Fe
Shirley Katz – San Diego
Nora Weiner – San Marcos
Sharon Sinder – San Diego
Shimshon Shvil – Oceanside
Dorothy Hirsch – San Diego
Lilian Schulmann – San Diego
Alvin Abrams – Carlsbad
Zoya Leonoff – Hallandale, FL
Herbert Goldstein – San Diego
Vitaly Dashevsky – San Diego
Samuel Galan – Port St. Lucie, FL
Marc Poland – Oceanside
Benedict Gross – Solana Beach
Joe Weiner – San Diego
Renee Rosenthal – San Diego
Matthew Sokolove – San Diego
Benjamin Cary – San Diego
Abram Kanovsky – San Diego
Aaron Muller – Poway
Ralph Golden – El Cajon
On behalf of AM Israel Mortuary, We extend our condolences to the families of all those who have recently passed. The families of those listed above would like to inform the community of their passing.
AM ISRAEL MORTUARY
We Are San Diego’s ONLY All-Jewish Mortuary Serving the community for over 40 years. (619)583-8850
Fighting Parkinson’s Step-by-Step Walk
on Saturday, April 11, 2026
Join the walk to fight Parkinson’s Disease at the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego’s 24th Annual Step-by-Step Walk on Saturday, April 11 at Liberty Station.
By supporting the Step-by-Step Walk, you empower PASD to provide essential resources to thousands of individuals impacted by Parkinson’s throughout San Diego County. Your assistance is vital in maintaining our outreach and capacity to serve the community, providing aid to local caregivers and families of those in need.
Participants can choose to walk or run, with options for the 5K or the 2.5K. So, lace up your walking shoes to be a valuable resource and unwavering ally for people with Parkinson’s disease! Check in begins at 7:30 a.m., walk begins at 9 a.m. A
Register as an individual, a team, or sponsor a walker at parkinsonsassociation.org. For event questions or to register via phone, please call (858) 215-2570.
Photos courtesy Parkinson’s Association of San Diego.
619 668-4334
Philip.Bresnick@morganstanley.com
www.morganstanleyfa.com/bresnickbresnick CA Insurance Lic #0A05261
JWV POST 385 — NORTH COUNTY “Boldest Post in the West”
• Fight anti-semitism
• Support our military overseas
• Comradeship
• Support Naval Hospital San Diego & Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton
• and much more . . . Meet 2nd Sunday of the month 11:00 AM Veterans Association North County (VANC) 1617 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058
Col Maxwell S. Colon retired/USA 858-232-1645
JWV is the oldest congresssionally commissioned veterans organization in America
Did you know San Diego Jewish Journal can be delivered to your inbox at no cost?
Digital subscriptions are free! You’ll receive each issue on the first day of the month until you unsubscribe. Digital subscriptions also include the annual Jewish 411 business directory and our popular “Guide to the High Holidays.” We’ll also occasionally send you offers from our partners. We won’t fill up your inbox or share your address.
Hard copies are also available at over 70 high-traffic locations throughout San Diego County.
To start your digital subscription, sign up at sdjewishjournal.com (click on “Subscribe to Enews” in the top left corner) or scan the QR code below.
APRIL 19, 2026
DOORS OPEN AT 12:00 PM
Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine
SCAN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORING THE SUMMIT!
FEATURING KEYNOTE
Ambassador Dr. Deborah Lipstadt
FEATURING WORKSHOP SPEAKERS INCLUDING
SCAN TO GET YOUR TICKET OR VISIT AJC.ORG/SANDIEGO/SUMMIT
