The Leichtag Latest – July 2014
Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Partners,
As we experience a beautiful summer here in Encinitas and advance exciting programs and developments in each of our strategic areas and at the Ranch, our minds and hearts are also deeply attuned to the situation in Israel and Gaza, and especially to our friends and partners in Jerusalem. While there is much despair, hand-wringing and certainly a sense of heartbreak and helplessness, we’ve also been proud and encouraged by the rays of light that exemplify the importance of civil society in the city. Like the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens opening itself as safe and sacred space for those fleeing rocket attacks in the South of Israel and for those from both West and East Jerusalem to come together to enjoy the bucolic natural setting. And the anti-violence demonstration attended by more than 1,000 people organized by some of our closest partners in Jerusalem just days after the painful and emotional funerals of the three young Israeli boys as well as a young Palestinian boy.
This weekend at the Ranch, we observed the iftar after the Ramadan fast—a program collaboration between the Jewish Food Justice Fellowship and the Pacifica Institute, a group founded by Turkish Americans striving to build connections and shared narrative. Even as our hearts break, we come together with a sense of genuine willingness to explore shared narrative. We hope and pray that these kinds of activities will help gird us in future tough times.
We’re honored that the legacy of Toni and Lee Leichtag continues to guide us and inspire us every day and in every way. The Leichtags looked at the possibilities rather than the problems and believed in the power of diversity, creativity and disruptive thinking to really make a difference. Their vision is our roadmap.
| Jim Farley | Charlene Seidle |
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| President & CEO | Executive Vice President |
Read the rest of the newsletter here.
Stacie and Jeff Cook understand commitment. They live it.
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.