Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) is assisting families with loved ones who were victims of violent crime or domestic violence as part of the new Dr. Ben Harouni’s Hope and Healing Fund. The fund, created in honor of Dr. Ben Harouni, a young dentist murdered in his El Cajon office in February 2024, is powered by a nonprofit his friends and family started shortly after his death called Hearts Over Hate.

“Ben’s death rocked the very foundation of our family. For us, grief counseling was vital as we worked to come to terms with our unimaginable loss. We know that many do not have access to that level of support,” said Hilda Harouni, Ben Harouni’s mother.

Governor Gavin Newsom and the California legislature have allocated $14.5 million to California’s Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program (HSAP), helping to sustain essential services for more than 2,000 Holocaust survivors throughout the state. Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFSSD) alongside six other Jewish Family Service agencies statewide, the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPAC) and the Jewish Caucus advocated for the funding that will be distributed this fiscal year. Aging into their late 80s and 90s, Holocaust survivors are among the most vulnerable members of our community and are increasingly in need of support and care.

JFSSD, one of the region’s most impactful nonprofit organizations, announced today the appointment of Dana Toppel as Chief Executive Officer and Theresa Dupuis as chair of the board of directors.

From the desk of Dana Toppel, Chief Executive Officer:
Today, as I begin as CEO of Jewish Family Service, I find myself reflecting on my very first day at JFS—16 years ago. I came here wanting to make a difference in a place that aligned with my values. Just a few months after I started as the Director of Older Adult Services, both my parents passed away. In that difficult time, the work we do at JFS became even more personal and even more powerful for me. It reminded me that the work we do every day is more than a collection of services. It’s community. It’s care. And it matters more than we sometimes realize. I never imagined that day 16 years ago was the beginning of a journey that would lead me to the honor of serving as the sixth CEO of this incredible organization.

Dr. Bob Rubenstein and Marie Raftery have funded the Jewish Family Service David Rubenstein Memorial Scholarship since 2008, awarding financial aid to over 160 Jewish students in San Diego County to support their educational and vocational goals. “For us, it is very satisfying to be able to do that. It’s an honor. I’m grateful for having the opportunity to do it.” said Marie Raftery.

Jewish Family Service hosted a meaningful intergenerational challah bake that brought together Holocaust survivors and teens, led by 8th-grader Milana. Through shared stories and the hands-on tradition of braiding challah for Rosh Hashanah, participants built connections, honored memory, and celebrated the strength and continuity of the Jewish community.

The County is partnering with the San Diego Foundation on a new guaranteed income program for high-risk pregnant women as part of a new initiative called Born Well. The County has been involved with other Guaranteed Income Programs in recent years. The Family Income for Empowerment Program started in April 2023 in partnership with Jewish Family Service. Another County cash payment program was Recovery Action Fund for Tomorrow or RAFT, in partnership with Jewish Family Service. Guaranteed income programs provide direct, unconditional cash that gives families the freedom to spend money on their most immediate needs as they define them, such as food, childcare, medical needs or rent.

According to JFS’s new leadership duo⎯CEO Dana Toppel and Board Chair Theresa Dupuis⎯the needs in our community are growing more urgent and more complex. Together, they are stepping forward determined to meet the moment with compassion, purpose and resolve.