Sha'ar HaNegev Connecting our hearts and minds as one inspired ...

Sha’ar HaNegev
Connecting our hearts and minds as one inspired and thriving
global Jewish people, with a strong Israel at our core.
As the Jewish Federation of San Diego County continues to build on
our rock-solid commitment to the State of Israel, we have taken our
partnership with the Sha’ar HaNegev region to a new level this year to
deepen Jewish identity in both communities. Since 1998, when the San
Diego–Sha’ar HaNegev partnership was initiated by Federation and
the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council, with strong support from many
outstanding Jewish leaders from both communities, Federation has
invested more than $11 million to support an improved quality of life and
greater function and outcomes for preschoolers, seniors, young people
returning from IDF service, new immigrants and others in dire need.
Through Federation, the people of San Diego have helped more than
2,000 new immigrants to Israel learn how to become productive
residents with fulfilling lives. Federation continues to support the
Sha’ar HaNegev municipality and its 7,000 residents who live adjacent
to Gaza. Residing at the frontier of terrorist attacks, these stalwart
Israelis continute to hold down the fort for the Jewish people with
great resilience, and yet maintain a positive outlook on life. Some of
the highlights of last year’s accomplishments of the Sha’ar HaNegev
enrichment programs include:
• Providing 240 elder Jews facing serious economic and social
challenges with transportation, meals and a host of cultural, physical
and educational activities to strengthen their well-being and
resilience of spirit at the Yachdav Elderly Center.
• Offering Music Education for Preschoolers to 400 children who
face challenges growing up with the trauma imposed by the
security conditions. The program teaches them how to play musical
instruments as an effective coping mechanism and form of therapy.
• Training 18 young adults, many returning from the IDF, through the
Informal Education and Youth Instructors program to council and
coach 450 teens, who are struggling academically and/or socially, to
maintain a routine and sense of purpose and represent positive role
models for the younger children.
“Your support, your presence amid
the challenges during this sensitive
time, and this moving dedication
ceremony has meant so much to our
community, and our partnership.
None of this would have been
possible without you… I thank of all
you for demonstrating how deeply
you care about the people of Sha’ar
HaNegev through your presence at
the dedication of the Alexander
Joseph Viterbi Art Center and
School cellebration!”
—Alon Schuster, Mayor of Sha’ar
HaNegev Regional Council
JEWISH FEDERATION OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
www.jewishinsandiego.org

Sha’ar HaNegev
• Offering 150-200 women of Sha’ar HaNegev a place to gather on
Fridays before Shabbat, through a program called Shishi Nashi:
Women Together on Fridays, to deal with a wide spectrum of
emotional, financial and other family issues arising from living in this
region, and to recharge, support each other and heal together, so
that they can return to their families with renewed energy.
Mediterranean Sea
Beit Hanoun
Ashkelon
Sha’ar
HaNegev
Equally rich are the bonds, both new and long lasting, that have been
established between individuals, students, teachers, organizations, and
leaders, nurturing both communities and infusing our Jewish lives with
greater meaning.
This summer, after many years of planning, fundraising and construction,
the opening of the Yitzhak Shavit High School of Sha’ar HaNegev was
enthusiastically celebrated amid hundreds of Israeli and international
dignitaries. Following the escalation of rockets into Sha’ar HaNegev in
2008, it was decided that the region needed a specially shielded high
school that would provide a safe haven for pluralistic Jewish values. The
Jewish Federation of San Diego County took a bold step as the first
organization to commit its support to building the school while still in its
early planning stages.
Built to educate up to 1,800 students, the school features state-ofthe-art
security technology, including bullet- and shatter-proof glass,
chemical warfare safety rooms, and 28 bomb shelters around the
schoolyard. In addition, the Alexander Joseph Viterbi Art Center, funded
through the generosity of the people of San Diego and the Jewish
Federation, was dedicated by Andrew and Erma Viterbi in memory
of their late son. Nearly 80 San Diegans made the trek to attend this
dedication and the school opening, demonstrating how much they value
this special partnership.
Through this very special partnership between San Diego and Sha’ar
HaNegev, mutual understanding is growing between Americans and
Israelis, and the promise of a stronger global Jewish identity is being
realized.
Your support for the Jewish Federation of San Diego County brings much-needed
educational, cultural, business and social benefits to the people of Sha’ar HaNegev, helping
to fulfill David Ben-Gurion’s dream of seeing the Negev bloom. For more information about
the community’s partnership with Sha’ar HaNegev, please contact Federation’s Israel &
Overseas Center at 858.571.3444.
1997
BEGINNING OF SHA’AR
HANEGEV - SAN DIEGO
PARTNERSHIP
Jordan
$11 Million
IN FUNDING PROVIDED TO
SHA’AR HANEGEV OVER THE
PAST 13 YEARS
2012
SEPTEMBER NEW SCHOOL
OPENED
1,800
STUDENTS TO BE SERVED AT
THE NEW SCHOOL
800+
CHILDREN, TEENS AND ADULTS
DIRECTLY BENEFIT FROM
THE PROGRAMS
FEDERATION FUNDS
JEWISH FEDERATION OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
www.jewishinsandiego.org