one world. one family. - Jewish Federation of San Diego County

6
UJF’s connection to Israel
As part of its commitment to Jewish people throughout
the world, United Jewish Federation of San Diego County,
in partnership with the North American federation
movement, the Jewish Agency for Israel, the American
Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and the people
of Israel, have developed special relationships with
Jewish communities worldwide. These relationships
are cultivated through special projects, exchanges and
missions that bring Jewish San Diegans together with
Jews in communities throughout the world, creating a
global Jewish safety net and furthering our community’s
commitment to Jewish peoplehood and tikkun olam.
Through a multi-dimensional approach to outreach,
programming and Israel travel, UJF works to strengthen
the connection between Israel and the San Diego
Jewish community. Federation initiatives in the social,
educational, economic and political arenas promote a
shared Jewish identity among Israelis and San Diegans,
creating a strong bond between the two communities.
Bethal Nathan
Supporting Donor
Sha’ar Hanegev
In 1998, UJF formed a partnership with the Ibim Student
Village (a youth village/absorption center that welcomes
young immigrants from other countries who are arriving
before their parents and/or families, and prepares them
to become Israeli citizens) and the Sha’ar Hanegev
Regional Council, located in the north-western Negev.
The Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council (Hebrew translation
meaning Gate of the Negev Regional Council), is
responsible for over 45,000 acres of land, containing ten
kibbutzim, one moshav, one family farm, Ariel Sharon’s
Shikmim, the Ibim Student Village and 6,000 residents.
The goal of the partnership is to provide direct support to
the state of Israel by strengthening the people-to-people
and institutional connections between San Diego and
Sha’ar Hanegev.
Our Sha’ar Hanegev family lives a precarious existence.
They live under the constant threat of Kassam missiles
which strike the region on a daily basis causing injury
to its people and property damage to homes and public
buildings. Equal to the physical damage, the terror and
fear among the residents of the region has disrupted
“normal” everyday life. Additionally, as students and
families fear for their safety, attendance begins to drop,
which greatly threatens the future of the educational
system, and the region itself.
Christians United for Israel (CUFI) hosted its first local
“Night to Honor Israel,” with UJF as the “honored guest”
and nearly 1,000 people in attendance. Over $26,000
was raised and designated for crucial improvements to
the elementary school in Sha’ar Hanegev. UJF Board
Chair Ken Polin personally presented the check to
Sha’ar Hanegev’s mayor, Alon Schuster, during his visit
to Israel in February.
The UJF Israel Center, LLC, the
Sha’ar Hanegev Committee, and the
UJF Board unanimously agreed to
direct $162,000 in IEC funds to the
Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council for
the following programs:
Emergency Cultural Basket Enhancement:
Provided critically needed social/cultural outings and
experiences for families and seniors in the region. This
gave temporary refuge to the residents during the war,
and kept them out of harm’s way.
Social Welfare & Trauma Enhancement:
This division experienced a substantial increase in
the number of individual and family clients due to the
escalating crises. Increased resources were allocated to
better serve the needs of the community during the crisis.
Emergency Extracurricular Activities Support:
After-school programs enabled students to continue their
everyday activities despite the increasing threat of Kassam
rockets. Additional funds helped to relocate the programs
and continue to serve the children.