Happenings
Nell Friedman and Chaim Mahgel, co-owners of Afikomen Judaica & Bookshop in Berkeley, teamed up with Adam Swig, founder and executive director of the cultural and philanthropic nonprofit Value Culture, to present the inaugural Jewish Community Night with the Golden State Valkyries women’s basketball team.Ticket sales for the Aug. 17 event at Chase Center far exceeded expectations, organizers told J., with over 400 seats sold in less than 30 days. Emily Winston, owner of Boichik Bagels, added to the fun by giving out free bagels and cream cheese. Sadly, the Valkyries lost to the Atlanta Dream 79-63.
Joshua Waldman of Tiburon competed in the prestigious Molokai2Oahu Paddleboard World Championships Foil Edition in Hawaii in July. The race involves paddleboarding across 68 miles of open water between the islands of Maui, Moloka’i and O’ahu, including crossing the often-treacherous Kaiwi Channel, known for high winds and dangerous surf. “Crossing that channel was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done, but the most inspiring. Just participating with some of the best in the world was the biggest privilege I have ever had,” said Waldman, who teaches at San Francisco’s Wing Foil Academy. Waldman’s mother, Gina Waldman, is a co-founder of the Bay Area-based nonprofit JIMENA, Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa.
Comings and Goings
Susie Cohen Crumpler starts her new role as CEO of JCC East Bay on Sept. 2. “I am deeply honored to be taking on the role of CEO for the Jewish Community Center of the East Bay. I will be joining the organization during a transformational period, as we build the new East Bay Jewish Community Campus in the Rockridge area of Oakland to serve the community for years to come,” said Crumpler. A graduate of Brandeis University, Crumpler previously served as director of marketing and communications for JCCSF and executive director of the Cal Alumni Association at UC Berkeley. Crumpler lives in Walnut Creek, and she and her family are members of Temple Isaiah in Lafayette. Board president Stephen Douglas said “Susie is the perfect person to not only continue to captain the ship, but lead us into our beautiful campus and guide us with our collective vision for many years.”
Danielle Foreman has joined the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund as its new Chief Strategy and Impact Officer. In this newly established executive role, Foreman will help to shape impact efforts across the organization and deepen its footprint in the Bay Area, Israel and globally. Foreman will also manage the Federation’s strategic partnerships with Jewish organizations as well as Bay Area policy-makers and philanthropic leaders. “This is a pivotal time for the Jewish community — both here in the Bay Area and around the world — and the Federation has a critical role to play,” said Foreman. “With significant resources and over a century-long legacy in this community, it’s reimagining what Jewish philanthropy can look like.”
Samm Azen is the new executive director of Kehilla Community Synagogue in Piedmont. He previously held the same title at Frog Creek Adventure School in Palos Verdes and volunteered with Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) as part of their campaign to secure livable wages for tourism workers in Los Angeles.
Kim Bistrong is the new director of development of Alonzo King LINES Ballet, having previously served in similar positions at the American Jewish Committee and the Jewish Film Institute, among other Jewish organizations.
The Jews of Color Initiative welcomes Natasha Kehimkar and Kai Mishlove to its board of directors. Thor Kaslofsky is departing the board after serving for three years.
SF Hillel welcomes two new staff members. Lilly Kosova is the new program associate. She brings experience in education as both a teacher and leader. Gabby Gabay is the new Israel education coordinator. She previously served on the board and as photographer at Hillel, University of Colorado Boulder.
Honors
Actor Daveed Diggs, an Oakland native who won a Tony for his role in the Broadway show “Hamilton,” has received this year’s Freedom of Expression Award from the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee introduced Diggs on July 31 at the city’s Piedmont Theatre, where he received the award and screened his new film, “Magic Hour.” Diggs is “more than a performer,” Lee said.
“He’s a truth teller and bridge builder between communities. At a time when free expression is under threat, he reminds us that art can restore and reimagine.” Diggs said receiving the award is a “good reminder that my Jewishness is inextricable from my Bay Area-ness. I’ve spoken at Jewish events all over the country, and there’s something incredible about this Bay Area Jewish community. It’s cool to be honored by you.” According to the film festival, the Freedom of Expression Award “honors the unfettered imagination, which is the cornerstone of a free, just, and open society.”
In other San Francisco Jewish Film Festival news, director Abby Ginzberg of Berkeley won the audience award for best documentary for her film “Labors of Love: The Life and Legacy of Henrietta Szold.” In 1912, Szold founded Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America.
The Helen Diller Family Foundation recently honored 15 Jewish teens across the country with Teen Tikkun Olam Awards. Recipients were awarded $36,000 each for their community leadership projects that “make the world a better place.” Among the winners was Ari Bushler of San Francisco for his work in climate justice. Bushler co-founded and currently serves as chief operating officer at Powering Tomorrow, which partners with schools and nonprofits to provide free after-school programs about climate science and renewable energy.
Hudson Blechman of Marin won an award for his work in civic engagement and technology. Blechman co-founded and currently serves as executive director of the app Impact Lynk, which connects high school students to volunteer organizations in their communities.
The Helen Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards is now accepting nominations for 2026. For more information, visit dillerteenawards.org.
Opportunities
HaZamir International Jewish Teen Choir seeks young adults in grades 9-12 to join the Silicon Valley chapter. An open house for prospective applicants will be held Aug. 24 in Palo Alto. Weekly rehearsals begin in the fall for the 2025-2026 season, which culminates in a performance at Lincoln Center in New York, together with other U.S. and Israeli chapters of the HaZamir choir. For more information, email [email protected] or visit hazamir.org.