
Join JPro San Diego and the Center for Jewish Care for an afternoon of appreciation and wellness as a contribution to all our professionals working for our Jewish Communal organizations. The professionals sustaining the San Diego Jewish community continue to serve our most vulnerable, foster connection, provide space for Jewish tradition, and ensure San Diego Jewish life thrives. JPro wants to thank YOU for all that you do to keep this community strong. We see this as an investment in your resilience and professional capacity. So please, enjoy some wellness practices, have some fun, reconnect with colleagues, and help us celebrate your contributions.
JPro San Diego will also honor several of our colleagues for their work, including the awardee and finalists of the Michael Jeser Outstanding Jewish Professional Award
This event is complimentary – pre-registration is required.
12:00-1:30pm Lunch and recognition of Michael Jeser Award winner and finalists
1:30-3:30pm Afternoon Sessions (selection email will be sent to registrants prior to event)
3:30-4:30pm Optional Concluding Excursion to Moonlight Beach: “At the Water’s Edge”
Our Afternoon Sessions include:
- Art of Intention with Carly Lobenstein: Explore and manifest your personal intentions through art in a tactile workshop focused on creating meaningful pieces from your chosen words.
- Jewish Comfort Cooking with Marissa Dates, founder of the Jewish baking blog North Shore to South Bay and member of the Center for Jewish Care staff: Join in for a fun and reflective cooking class! We will spend the session creating our own modern take on the classic Jewish comfort food, blintzes! Bring your creativity and an empty stomach!
- Giving Words to Sorrow: Creating Lament Psalms for Our Times with Rabbi Susan Freeman of the Center for Jewish Care at JFS. Join as we reflect on experiences of the last 6 months through the template of Psalms and modern Laments. During this session you will be able to engage and connect with colleagues through a creative writing process culminating in the sharing of insights, prayers, and poetry.
- Soulful Soil with Coastal Roots Farms: Ground yourself in the soil with some hands-on activities at Coastal Roots Farm
- Relaxation Station with Ilene Tatro: Come enjoy a cup of coffee and some unstructured time to connect with colleagues and old friends!
*Optional Concluding Excursion to Moonlight Beach with Temple Solel’s Rabbi Alexis Berk: At the Water’s Edge
Standing with our toes in the Pacific, waves gently breaking, we will share in a contemplative moment. The ocean will witness our aspirations and soothe our agitations, as we conclude the powerful day together.
Food under the supervision of Rabbi Eilfort of Chabad and Member of the Vaad HaRabbonim of San Diego.
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Please reach out to paige@thehivesd.org if you are interested in attending.




Black, Jewish and Queer. These three identities weave the fabric of who I am, but it took a long time to believe that they could exist together.
Lee and Toni Leichtag established the Leichtag Foundation in 1991 following the sale of their business. Lee and Toni were lifelong entrepreneurs with a passion for innovation and for supporting talent. They believed that only with big risk comes big reward. Both born to families in poverty, Toni to a single mother, they strongly believed in helping those most in need and most vulnerable in our community. While they supported many causes, their strongest support was for young children and the elderly, two demographics who particularly lack voice in our society.
Lifelong Baltimoreans, Rabbi George and Alison Wielechowski and their sons, 11-year-old Lennon and 9-year-old Gideon, are more than pursuing the good life in Southern California. Having moved to San Diego more than three years ago, they are fulfilling a lifelong dream.






You would think that as the executive director of San Diego LGBT Pride, Fernando Zweifach López Jr., who uses the pronoun they, has done all the coming out they possibly can. A queer, non-binary individual who has worked for many years on civil rights issues, López also speaks openly and often about their father’s family, Mexican-American migrant workers who tilled the fields of rural California.
Stacie and Jeff Cook understand commitment. They live it.
