Let All Who Are Hungry Come and Eat
In the spirit of Passover, a look at several local groups whose work is Tikkun Olam
By Zach Reff

Passover is one of the most cherished holidays on the Jewish calendar, and for good reason. The true meaning of the holiday encompasses much more than the ten plagues, our flight from Egypt, or even joining family and friends for a Seder dinner. The story of Passover is an awe-inspiring tale of struggle, oppression, divine assistance, and, ultimately, the hope for an improved future.

As we eat the Passover feast among loved ones in our warm homes, it can be easy to forget that there are many people, both in San Diego and worldwide, that still face tremendous struggles and overwhelming oppression. We live in a troubled world and there are many people desperately hoping for the gift that was once given to our ancestors—the chance for a better life.

There is no better way to celebrate Passover than to reach out and help others who are in need, just as we were once helped out of slavery. There is much Tikkun Olam needing to be done and it is our responsibility as Jews, and as a people once enslaved, to do our part in fixing the world. There are an astounding number of charitable, non-profit organizations around San Diego. In the next few pages we will profile a few local organizations doing their part to better our world. These organizations do everything from helping homeless youth get off of the streets, to serving meals to the elderly and aids patients, to giving impoverished Jewish communities around the world a hand. If you’re looking for a way to truly get into the spirit of Passover and do some Tikkun Olam, these non-profits would be a great place to start.

PHOTOCHARITY
They are the invisible ones. The dwell in cluttered alleys and in darkened corners of the city. Many of them have suffered severe trauma including physical, emotional and sexual abuse. They are the homeless youth of San Diego and on any given day there are as many 2000 of them in the city.

“If a kid doesn’t have a home, he doesn’t have anything,” said Jeffrey Sitcov, the founder and President of Photocharity, a charity devoted to helping homeless youth. “Whether we have children of our own is irrelevant,” said Sitcov. “They are our future.”

Sitcov spent most of his life working as a physical therapist and building a successful practice. He seemed to have it all. Then, seven and a half years ago, he suffered a serious spinal cord injury on the job that left him out of work for many months. He was devastated. When he began to recover, Sitcov knew it was time to change his life. “After nine months of soul searching, I decided to help children,” said Sitcov.

Sitcov wanted to support a local organization that empowers children. After some searching he found the Storefront, San Diego’s only emergency housing for homeless youth. Sitcov knew he had found his calling. He decided to start his own non-profit organization both to help raise funds for the Storefront and to help homeless youth all over San Diego. In 2001, Photocharity was born.

An avid photographer, Sitcov initially planned to sell autographed concert photos to raise funds, hence the name Photocharity. Later, he realized that selling autographed music memorabilia like guitars and keyboards could raise more money. The list of musicians that have autographed instruments for Photocharity reads like a who’s who of rock and roll stardom: Billy Joel, Elton John, BB King.
Ehud Barak even signed a guitar for Photocharity when he was recently in town. With the help of these gracious stars, Photocharity has raised over $700,000 to fight homelessness. According to Sitcov, 80 percent of the funds raised go directly toward the cause.

Photocharity also hosts a yearly benefit concert, the Concert of Hope. This year the concert will be held on April 30 at Humphrey’s by the Bay and will feature both the Tommy Castro Band and also music by some of the youngsters who have been helped by the Storefront. More than a thousand people are expected to attend the sold-out show. “It’s going to be packed,” said Sitcov.

Photocharity is also finalizing the purchase of a house in Banker’s Hill that will serve as the very first long-term homeless youth shelter in the city. The house will offer a place to stay for 15-17 children and will also feature trained counselors and support to help the children attend school and find jobs. Beyond that, Sitcov is looking at expanding Photochairty to other cities including San Fransisco and New York. “People can truly make a difference with Photocharity,” said Sitcov. “Whatever they give, they can see actual results.”

To learn more about Photocharity, including how you can help, call (760) 967-3665, or email info@photocharity.com. You can find more information or purchase music memorabilia on their website at www.photocharity.org. This year’s Concert of Hope will be held April 30 from 4-7 p.m. at Humphrey’s by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive

MAMA’S KITCHEN
“The reality is that more people are living with HIV and AIDS than ever before,” said Alberto Cortés, executive director of Mama’s Kitchen, an organization that prepares and delivers meals to San Diego residents living with AIDS. “The other reality is that HIV is still spreading at concerning rates,” said Cortés.

In the past decade there have been a number of medical breakthroughs allowing AIDS patients to live longer lives with fewer complications. This, in turn, has led to the false perception that the AIDS epidemic is no longer a problem.
Government funding for AIDS research and support programs (like Mama’s Kitchen) has declined steadily. “The perception that it’s not a big deal is really skewed when you think about the reality of AIDS,” said Cortés. The truth is that the AIDS epidemic is still a growing and deadly problem with 40,000 new cases reported every year in America. Those suffering from the disease still need care and support.

Because AIDS wreaks havoc on the immune system, eating balanced meals is a crucial step toward keeping patients healthy. When you consider that many of those living with AIDS are poverty stricken, take toxic medications and suffer from intense nausea, the risks associated with not eating a healthy diet increase tenfold. Mama’s Kitchen works to ensure that no AIDS patient in San Diego and the surrounding area ever goes hungry or lacks proper nutrition.

Since Mama’s Kitchen was founded in 1990, the organization has provided over three and a half million meals to people with AIDS. A core of dedicated volunteers for Mama’s Kitchen hand deliver meals to men, women and children with AIDS completely free of charge every day of the year. They prepare and deliver three meals a day and supply 100 percent of the daily nutrition recommended for people infected with the virus. The organization provides, on average, more than 700 meals a day. And although Mama’s Kitchen has more than 800 volunteers on their roster, they are always looking for more and they hold volunteer training sessions twice a month.

Mama’s Kitchen holds four large fundraising events every year including the upcoming Mama’s Day food tasting event on May 12th at the Hyatt La Jolla. The tasting features dozens of the top chefs in San Diego preparing a sampling of esculent edibles for attendees and all the proceeds go toward support Mama’s efforts.


NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY
“I am constantly reminded how little is understood or known about multiple sclerosis,” said Jamie MacDonald, the President and Chief Operating Officer of Pacific South Coast Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society. Although the disease is widespread, it is safe to say that MS does not often enter into the national dialogue and that fundraising for research is therefore hard to come by. “It’s not cocktail party conversation. People don’t talk about multiple sclerosis,” said MacDonald.

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic disease of the central nervous systems that affects an estimated 400,000 Americans. There are roughly 18,000 people living with MS in Southern California and 240 new cases are diagnosed every year in San Diego.

The disease is progressive and unpredictable. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and include everything from numbness in the limbs, to blindness and paralysis. Some people with MS are able to lead normal productive lives while others are not so fortunate and must rely on caretakers.

“Although it’s not considered a fatal disease, it has such horrendous impact on an individual and their family, from all sides of the coin that you want to look at, that we have to be more aggressive,” said MacDonald. “We have to have a greater sense of urgency. We have to find the answers we’re looking for sooner rather than later.”

The National MS Society exists with the mission of not only finding a cure for MS, but also of providing support and care for those with the disease and their families.
The South Coast Chapter, which encompasses San Diego, Orange and Imperial Counties, will offer more than 62 unique programs this year to help sufferers. These programs range from water aerobics classes, to providing financial assistance, to informational classes for the newly diagnosed and even public awareness campaigns. The society is the largest private founder of MS research in the world and has raised more than $420 million dollars toward studying the disease since its inception in 1946.

There are three fundraising walks this month for the South Coast chapter including one April 8th at UC Irvine, a night walk April 29th at Legoland, and a final walk April 30th at the Embarcadero Marina Park South in Downtown San Diego. More than 15,000 people are expected to participate in these walks to raise money for MS research. There will also be a golf tournament on April 24th at the La Jolla Country Club to benefit the society.

“I am always impressed with the American spirit to give to those less fortunate, and in a disaster we are the best. We came forward and gave for hurricane Katrina and for Rita and for the tsunami in Indonesia,” said MacDonald. “And yet, for people with MS, every day is a little tsunami or earthquake. You don’t have to go out of state or country to make a difference in someone’s life.”

To learn more about the National MS Society, or to get involved or walk in one of the upcoming events, call (800) FIGHT-MS, or call the South Coast Chapter at (760) 448-8400. You can also check out the organization online at www.nationalmssociety.org.

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE
Not only is Jewish Family Service (JFS) one of the largest Jewish charities in town, they are also one of the oldest Jewish organizations in San Diego. The large and far-reaching organization was founded in San Diego way back in 1918. According to Jill Spitzer, the current Executive Director of the San Diego chapter of JFS, whenever a community of Jews begins to form, one of the first things they ask themselves is how they can help the poor and the needy.

“The number of people needing assistance with basic life needs is growing and that is troubling,” said Spitzer. JFS looks to address these needs and to insure no one on the community gets left behind.

Today, there are over 140 JFS chapters in America, and, according to Spitzer, San Diego is the twentieth largest. Spitzer estimates that JFS helps about 17,000 people in San Diego every year with an operating budget close to $7 million dollars. They have over 150 staff members and more than 300 volunteers. “Basically, we are the 911 in the Jewish community, although our services are for the general community too,” said Spitzer. “We are a one-stop-shop for a lifetime of help. We are here to help people who have problems that impact their ability to live and survive and thrive on a day to day basis.”

The San Diego chapter of JFS offers more than 40 diverse programs, helping virtually every niche of society. They have programs geared toward helping single parents, refugee immigrants, adults with mental illness, the young, the old, the poor, the hungry and even those simply needing a friend. “The range and extent of our services is really quite vast,” said Spitzer.

JFS charges a sliding scale fee for many of its programs, and Spitzer notes that no one is ever turned away for not being able to afford the cost. The organization is also a beneficiary of the United Jewish Federation, who provides with both funding and support.

JFS has a number of exciting events and fundraisers coming up including a “Heart and Soul Gala” on Saturday, April 1st to present Mitzvah awards, and a lecture by young author Lizzie Simon in support of mental health awareness on May 10.

“We believe it’s important to address the needs and concerns of the Jewish community,” said Spitzer. “If JFS doesn’t do it, no one will.”

To learn more about Jewish Family Service, or to volunteer, call Mark Earl, the Director of Volunteer Services, at (619) 574-2597. You can also find the organization online at www.jfssd.org .

Mama’s Kitchen also recently announced that they will soon begin providing meals to people in San Diego with chronic illnesses other than AIDS. “Our ability to express our mission is dependant on the support of the community,” said Cortés. “We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organization and we treat people with respect, not just our clients, but also our volunteers, donors, and everyone involved.”

To find out more about Mama’s Kitchen or to volunteer, you can call them at (619) 233-6262 or visit their website at www.mamaskitchen.org. The Mama’s Day food tasting event will be held on May 12 at the Hyatt La Jolla. Tickets to the event are $120 and are available at the door, by calling, or on their website.

YOUNG ADULT DIVISION (YAD) OF THE UNITED JEWISH FEDERATION
Hip Havana rhythms. Attractive young professionals swinging to live salsa music. Kosher Cuban appetizers. Ay ay! Get ready for the hottest charity event in town, the Young Adult Division’s (YAD) inaugural ONE event on Saturday, April 8th to support the oft neglected and poverty stricken Jewish community in Cuba.

“The concept behind ONE is that each year we will select a region of the world where Jews are living under oppressive rule or are impoverished and we’ll celebrate that culture—their music and their dance and their food,” said Evan Papel, co-chair of the ONE event. The ONE event will be held at Aubergine, one of the trendiest nightspots in downtown San Diego. According to Papel, not only is the night meant as a fundraiser for Cuban Jews and YAD’s other philanthropic endeavors, but also to make sure that young Jews in the community are connecting with one another. “San Diego is such a spread out town that it’s actually challenging to build community,” said Papel. “There are a lot of people who want to connect but the opportunity isn’t right there in front of them.”

So, why Cuba? “Its an isolated country that has a history of Judaism that has dissolved over time. But, it has an amazing culture,” said Papel. “The music of Cuba is infectious.”

YAD is a national organization under the umbrella of the United Jewish Federation that strives to unite young professional Jews in their 20s through their 40s with social events, and meaningful volunteer opportunities. The San Diego chapter of YAD features everything from book clubs, to film screenings, to Shabbat dinners encouraging people to branch out and make new friends.

When planning the ONE event organizers knew they had to make a splash to bring out Jews in the community who aren’t typically involved. “We all agreed that music and a high profile event on a Saturday night is a way to elevate our profile,” said Papel. In addition to a live band, Saóco Son, and professional dance troupe, Omo Ache, the night will also feature a silent auction and a raffle drawing. Papel said he expects a sell-out crowd and more than 400 in attendance.

“For people who haven’t been to Aubergine, it’s happening,” said Papel.
“It’s a really hot hot venue. It’s really fun and it’s gorgeous. People are going to want to be looking sharp. Ladies and gentleman will definitely want to be dressing up.” Who knew that repairing the world could be so exciting?

The ONE organizers know that Cuba may be far away from sunny San Diego, but its Jewish residents are close at heart. “Tikkun Olam is blind. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or who you are,” said Papel.

The ONE event will take place the night of Saturday, April 8th beginning at 7 p.m. at Aubergine Night Club and Restaurant. Tickets to the event are $40 before April 4th and $50 thereafter and can be obtained online at www.one-san-diego.org

To find out more about YAD or its programs, call (858) 571-3444, or visit them on the web at www.yldsandiego.org.

For feedback, contact editor@sdjewishjournal.com.