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Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Partners,
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. |
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| Jim Farley |
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| President & CEO |
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| Charlene Seidle |
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| Executive Vice President |
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| Jim Farley |
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| President & CEO |
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| Charlene Seidle |
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| Executive Vice President |
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Upcoming Events at the Ranch
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Sukkah Design Competition
We're excited to launch the Sukkah Design Competition for Sukkot at the Ranch (Sunday October 12th, 2014).
If you or anyone you know is a designer/architect, we encourage you to submit and share! 3 finalists are chosen, and top voted design wins $3,600. More details at tinyurl.com/sukkahdesign.
Designs are due by August 18th. Learn more.
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Food Justice Films at the Ranch
Presented by: Jewish Food Justice Fellowship
Sunday August 10th
5pm-7:30pm
The Ranch (map)
 "Forks Over Knives," the first in the Food Justice Films at the Ranch series, examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting our present menu of animal-based and processed foods.
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After the film, the Fellows will lead a discussion to help process how our diets effect our health, how food can be medicine, and what issues do people have with the claims made in the film.
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Vineyard Volunteer Corps:
Establishing the Cordon
The cordon is the horizontal arm of the vine that will carry the fruit in coming years. We're looking for our Vineyard Volunteers to help establish these and see how far the Vineyard has come for a morning of light volunteer work.
Sunday, August 10th
9am-Noon
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Our Grantees in Jerusalem
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Pluralistic Service and Concert in Jerusalem
A pluralistic service and concert at the new First Train Station complex in Jerusalem was held two weeks ago to welcome Shabbat. A record number of people attended -- over 500 -- from all denominations, seeking a chance to sing and pray together and express hope for an end to violence, seeking the peace for which Jerusalem is always striving.
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The Foundation co-funds the regular summer Kabbalat Shabbat programs through the Ginot Ha’Ir Community Center, and we heard from a number of participants that this particular gathering was incredibly healing and cathartic.
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Self-Sufficiency in North County
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San Diego City Council Votes To Raise Minimum Wage
San Diego’s City Council voted Monday to increase the minimum wage for the City of San Diego, along with providing earned sick days. The largest city in the country to approve such a measure, San Diego’s landmark decision is a milestone for our region and the nation. This action may lead North County municipalities to consider similar measures in the future.
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The Leichtag Foundation is proud to have contributed to this outcome by funding the research used by the Center on Policy Initiatives to produce the “Making Ends Meet†report, which provides information on the income required to meet basic needs in San Diego County without public assistance. We have also provided funding to the Center on Policy Initiatives over the past three years to expand the organization’s capacity to advocate and address issues of equity, good jobs and fair wages.
Congratulations to all who helped pass this important legislation!
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HAN Legislative Breakfast
The Hunger Advocacy Network (HAN) hosted their annual legislative breakfast on June 20th, featuring Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins. The Hunger Advocacy Network is comprised of leading social service agencies, food banks, and advocacy organizations from throughout San Diego County.
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The event brought HAN members together with elected officials and their staff to participate in an informative presentation on the interrelatedness of the cost of living, low wages, and hunger in San Diego. HAN also provided an update on its state policy priorities and current advocacy efforts. Read more.
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 Leichtag staff with Deborah Szekely, founder/owner of Rancho La Puerta and Golden Door Spas, among many other achievements, at the SAFSF forum.Leichtag Foundation in Denver!
Three Leichtag Foundation staff members attended the Sustainable Agriculture & Food System Funder’s 12th Annual Forum held June 17-19 in Denver, Colorado. This conference gathered more than 200 funders from across the nation with a shared interest in economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially responsible systems of food production, processing, distribution and consumption.
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Click here for staff highlights from the conference, complete with Denver’s own vegan rapper DJ Cavem. Read more.
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San Diego-Israel Connections
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San Diego and Jerusalem Botanic Gardens at APGA
At the APGA (American Public Gardens Association) conference, we learned that botanic gardens are starting to reorganize and integrate farming and food system components - in other words transitioning from being centers of botanical reserve and display to becoming hubs for broader food justice interests.
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The Leichtag Foundation recently provided a matching grant through the Jewish Funders Network Jerusalem Matching Grant Initiative to the Jerusalem Botanic Gardens to develop itself as a co-working and creative hub for environmental and social action programs.
You can read more about collaboration between the SDBG and Jerusalem Botanic Garden here.
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Shalomaste!
What's more fun than Yoga in a barn? The North County Jewish Hub had yoga in Barn 2 last week.
If you'd like to attend a Yoga class at the Ranch, Waters of Eden has classes every Monday at 9am ($12/class).
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Jewish Food Justice Fellowship
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Hosting Robert Egger & San Diego Grantmakers
The Jewish Food Justice Fellowship hosted a discussion with Robert Egger, Founder and President of L.A. Kitchen and D.C. Central Kitchen, on June 24 in Barn 2 at the Ranch. Egger motivated the attendees to consider the roots of our current food system, reframe our understanding of the issues we face, and think creatively about ways to address hunger while creating jobs and building the local economy. More than 90 nonprofit leaders, food system advocates, local residents and business owners were inspired to consider how Egger’s social enterprise models for kitchen incubation, food recycling, and culinary job training could be applied in the San Diego region.
If you missed it, watch the video. Read more.
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Sustainability in Nepal
The Fellows traveled to Nepal to learn how advancements in agriculture have created more sustainable communities.
Don't miss this photo narrative!
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Moishe House and Jewish Food Justice Fellowship held a learning retreat on Cooking, Gardening, and Food Justice. Watch.
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Sustainability in Israel
How is Israel leading the world in advancements in resource management, water reclamation, and desert agriculture?
Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of the JFJF's "Exposure" Photo Narrative.
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