Leichtag Foundation

12/25/2025

December 25th brings together two special pieces of the Leichtag Foundation story. First, we celebrate what would be the 84th wedding anniversary of Toni and Lee Leichtag z”l, honoring not only their devoted partnership but also their dedication to the community as a couple.

Second, we bring our attention to the rich cultural history of the beautiful Poinsettias now in bloom. For almost 90 years, Poinsettias blanketed the hillsides of the Paul Ecke Ranch, now Leichtag Commons. The Ecke family cultivated a hardy, compact variety of the plant, which they sent to be displayed on the sets of televised Christmas specials. Native to Central America, Poinsettias were used by the Aztecs for medicinal and decorative purposes, and called cuetlaxochitl. They have been associated with Christmas for centuries as "Flores de Noche Buena" (flowers of Christmas Eve).

Leichtag Foundation wishes a very merry Christmas to all who celebrate, and may this wedding anniversary of the Leichtags remind us of the power of unity in uplifting our communities.

05/21/2025

We have exciting news to share: the Jewish Community Foundation San Diego and Leichtag Foundation’s philanthropy team – Impact Cubed – are reuniting!

Effective August 1, we will integrate our philanthropic advisory services, educational offerings, nonprofit capacity building efforts, and deep commitment to serving our community.

Together, we will be better equipped to address pressing community needs, celebrate joyous Jewish life, combat antisemitism, rebuild and revitalize Israel, and leverage and expand capacity, expertise, and strategic relationships.

🔗 in bio to read all about it.

05/21/2025

We have exciting news to share: the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego and Leichtag Foundation’s philanthropy team – Impact Cubed – are reuniting!

Effective August 1, we will integrate our philanthropic advisory services, educational offerings, nonprofit capacity building efforts, and deep commitment to serving our community.

Together, we will be better equipped to address pressing community needs, celebrate joyous Jewish life, combat antisemitism, rebuild and revitalize Israel, and leverage and expand capacity, expertise, and strategic relationships.

Click here to read all about it:

A JCF Donor Advised Fund comes with convenient grantmaking, recordkeeping and access to donor education and philanthropic consulting to maximize your impact.

04/29/2025

04/25/2025

Today marks 13 years since the loss of our beloved friend and board member Sheldon “Shep” Scharlin z”l. A World War II veteran, Shep was a decades-long friend and confidant of Lee and Toni Leichtag z”l. From our founding in 1991, Shep dedicated himself as a member of the Leichtag Foundation board, and would continue to do so for the next 21 years. We miss his wisdom and generous spirit every day.

Fourteen years ago, our President and CEO Charlene Seidle interviewed Shep and his wife Lillian z”l for the Jewish Community Foundation’s Book of Life program. In this short video, the couple describes Lillian’s experience escaping from Vienna in the late 1930s and Shep’s time serving our country in World War II.

04/18/2025

Exciting news! Our friends at Coastal Roots Farm are launching an Incubator program for California-based Jewish performing artists that will empower them to create bold new works at the intersection of Judaism and the climate crises.

“In this era of ecological crisis, we need new stories to help us see anew, recommit to hope, and act with bravery. For this reason, in 2023, we launched Regenerate! Eco-Performance Fest, showcasing new works of Jewish/climate performance. With the Incubator project, the Farm expands from producing art to growing artists, fostering a cohort of Jewish/Climate performing artists from and for California who will put down roots in our land and learn to lead through their art.” - Cantor Rebecca Joy Fletcher, Project Director

Learn more HERE: https://covenantfn.org/grant/jewish-climate-artists-for-california-the-incubator-at-coastal-roots-farm/

Shabbat Shalom 🌳

03/05/2025

Seven years ago today, we lost our beloved colleague and teacher Naomi Friedman Rabkin z”l. Beginning her tenure with Leichtag Foundation in 2012, Naomi planted seeds that would grow into some of our most tremendous programs, including Coastal Roots Farm’s Sukkot Festival and The Hive at Leichtag Commons. She also played a critical role in our grantmaking and philanthropic strategy, and was integral to the design and development of the vibrant Leichtag Commons that exists today. Every element of Leichtag Foundation’s work from Encinitas to Jerusalem reflects Naomi’s extraordinary impact, and we continue to honor her legacy by dreaming big in everything we do. Her memory is an indelible blessing that will lead and inspire us for years to come.

01/17/2025

This Shabbat precedes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, commemorating the life and work of the prominent American civil rights leader. As we find stillness this Shabbat, we are encouraged to reflect on the principles of racial equality and nonviolent social change that Dr. King so passionately advocated for. In his life, Dr. King also encouraged others to reflect on the functionality of philanthropy in society.

“Philanthropy is commendable, but it must not cause the philanthropist to overlook the circumstances of economic injustice which make philanthropy necessary.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Strength to Love” (1963)

Shabbat Shalom.

01/10/2025

Email from The Jewish Community Foundation SD   IN COLLABORATION WITH     Join Us in Aiding Victims of the Los Angeles Wildfires Over the past couple of days Los Angeles County has been overcome by da

01/03/2025

Today marks 12 years since the loss of our dear friend and board member Murray Galinson z”l. Murray lived his life as a "rodef shalom," or a “chaser of peace,” with a robust commitment to improving the San Diego community through civic engagement. His wisdom, kindness, and strength have guided each Leichtag Foundation decision since he joined our board in 2010.

Named in his memory, the Murray Galinson San Diego-Israel Initiative (MGSDII) is dedicated to his unwavering devotion to advancing peace and constructive dialogue. Murray believed in the immense power of nuanced discourse and understanding on campus, and he was passionate about creating pathways for those opportunities. MGSDII carries Murray’s legacy through building connections between San Diego and Israeli universities, students, and faculty, as well as promoting academic study of modern Israel.

In Murray’s memory, a consortium of San Diego organizations, which benefitted from his leadership, planted the ancient symbol of peace - the olive tree - at Leichtag Commons. Alongside it is placed a stone, a physical marker of Murray’s incredible life and legacy. We miss his wisdom, charisma, and welcoming presence every day. May his memory be a blessing.

Shabbat Shalom.

12/30/2024

Each year, our partners at Coastal Roots Farm grow more than 80,000 pounds of food, donating over 75% to San Diegans facing food insecurity.

Read all about the Farm's innovative approach to combatting hunger in the community here: https://thecoastnews.com/coastal-roots-farm-tackles-food-insecurity-through-sustainability/

12/27/2024

On this Chanukah Shabbat, we multiply the light we bring to the world. As we celebrate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, we also rededicate ourselves in our commitment to community and to bringing the hostages home. We wish you a meaningful holiday in this season of miracles. Shabbat Shalom 🕎