Hillel Board Presidents’ Challenge

Wayne

As immediate past president, I have seen firsthand how Hillel of San Diego has grown to meet the increasing demands from the Jewish students across our four San Diego campuses.

I’m so proud of how far we’ve come, but much work still needs to be done! Student participation doubled last year and has increased by an additional 20% already this year.

On the heels of Mitch Siegler’s Presidents’ Challenge, I’m pleased to share that Mitch Siegler, Todd Kirschen, David Michan, Emily Jennewein, and I have been joined by other past Hillel of San Diego board presidents Herb Solomon, Steve Solomon, Joel Smith, Hollie Bierman, Bob Lapidus, Michael Breslauer, Jane Scher, and Judy Gumbiner to challenge our community to match our increased annual gifts and raise $175,000 by midnight, December 31st!

Naomi and I have been longtime supporters of Hillel, but now, we all must step up even more. We give to Hillel because Jewish continuity matters to us. Hillel impacts Jewish students beyond their four years of college.

Hillel’s Board Presidents’ will match your gift dollar-for-dollar. Please join us in building a brighter Jewish future.

With sincere appreciation,

Wayne

Other Stories From Hillel

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January 6, 2026

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Over the past few months, an individual repeatedly harassed Hillel San Diego, prompting us to obtain a restraining order. Today, that individual attempted to break into our Melvin Garb Hillel Center and left an unidentified package.

You Made it Possible. Now We Must Sustain it.

December 21, 2025

Over the past five years, and especially since October 7th, this community has shown up in extraordinary ways. Your leadership made it possible for Hillel of San Diego to respond immediately and decisively in moments of crisis, expanding support, strengthening safety, and meeting students in their most vulnerable moments. Thank G-d you did. Because of you, students know exactly where to turn — and they know they will not be turned away.

Why Hillel of San Diego Matters Right Now

December 19, 2025

As we enter the final days of Hillel of San Diego’s year-end efforts to raise $500,000 by December 31, our family is proud to stand with this community and publicly join this effort to strengthen Jewish life on San Diego’s campuses. We do so while holding two truths at once. We are celebrating the light and resilience of Hanukkah, even as we grieve the tragedies and violence that have shaken Jewish communities in recent days. Joy and heartbreak coexist. For Jewish students, that tension is not abstract but rather something they are navigating every day on campus

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