San Diego, CA
Jewish American Heritage Month: San Diego’s Jewish community reflects city’s diversity in culture and faith
SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – San Diego is home to 100,000 people who identify as Jewish, making up about 2% of the city’s population — and the data and the people behind it reveal a community as diverse as the city itself.
The Jewish Federation’s most recent survey found that 18% of San Diego’s Jewish community identifies as Hispanic or as a person of color. Nearly a quarter — 23% — regularly speak a language other than English at home, and 17% of Jewish households include someone born outside the United States, including the USSR, Israel, Latin America, Europe, South Africa, and Mexico.
Heidi Gantwerk, the President and CEO of the Jewish Federation, said the community’s diversity is reflected in everything from food to faith.
“It’s wonderful. The foods are different, and the way they say the prayers is different. The way they think about the holidays is different.”
“And they all bring their own rich cultural traditions and history with them, which makes for a really exciting blend of different practices – cultural and religious both,” Gantwerk said.
Half of San Diego’s Jewish community does not identify with any specific denomination. More than half — 51% — of Jewish couples are in interfaith relationships.
“If you ask people what Judaism is, what being Jewish means to them, religion is not the first thing many people will say,” Gantwerk explains.
“We have an expression we talk about – Jewish peoplehood; to be part of the Jewish people. That has historical implications. Cultural implications. Religious implications. Genealogical implications. And there are a lot of people in SD who feel very strongly that they are part of what we call K’lal Yisroel, part of the Jewish people, but they’re not religious.”
Sixteen percent identify as LGBTQ+, and 30% have lived in San Diego for less than a decade. The Jewish population also skews slightly older than San Diego overall, with 27% above the age of 65.
Beyond the numbers, individual congregations reflect that diversity firsthand. Ohr Shalom Synagogue, located in Bankers Hill, recently celebrated 100 years in its historic building. The congregation draws members from around the world, including some who cross the border to attend services.
One member said the congregation’s diversity is what makes it feel like home.
“The fact that we’re able to hold a multitude of being, ways of expressing, and ways of really holding each other, is amazing! And I really think that goes to the heart of what the US is traditionally about,” said Alex Van Frank, whose family has roots in Mexico and Europe.
“It’s really a coming together of a lot of different things to make this really sweet, I dunno, melody of friendships that you wouldn’t otherwise find,” she said.
Gantwerk adds that a look at some other numbers breaks the stereotypes commonly associated with Judaism.
“People have the impression that all Jews are wealthy,” she says. “That’s a trope, and it’s false. We are just as economically diverse as every other community. 15% of our Jewish community is struggling every day to make ends meet.”
Van Frank says that rich diversity gives the Jewish community a lot to share with San Diego at large.
“We are open to sharing some of our values, like education and taking care of community, family, and friends. I think these are the types of things that permeate living in society. And all of our collective responsibility to each other to be in community…
“We practice by living. And living our Jewishness means we are out in the community with everyone else as well. And we are helping to improve the world – Tikkun Olam. I think that’s a very important thing. I know a lot of people outside the (Jewish) community also try to make the world a better place. For us that’s a driving force.
This reporting is part of coverage of San Diego’s Jewish community during Jewish American Heritage Month. It grew out of ABC 10News Anchor Jared Aarons’ participation in the Karsh Fellowship — the nation’s first and only fellowship dedicated to journalism about Jewish topics. The fellowship included three weekends of learning in Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C., focused on covering issues from antisemitism to religion with greater depth and nuance.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
If you’ve been putting off a proper reset, consider this your nudge. Rancho La Puerta – the iconic fitness resort and spa nestled in the hills of Tecate, Baja California – has once again claimed the top spot on Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards list, earning the No. 1 ranking for International Wellness Retreat in 2026.
Eight Times at the Top
The Ranch doesn’t just show up on this list – it dominates it. Previous wins in 2013, 2014, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 have earned it a hall of fame distinction in Travel + Leisure’s history.
Rankings are based on reader ratings across rooms and facilities, location, service, food, and value, so this is real-world validation straight from the people who’ve been there.
A Week at the Ranch
Set across 4,000 private acres of gardens, mountains, and meadows, The Ranch runs on a weekly stay format designed to help you slow down, move, and reconnect. The fitness program is broad – yoga, Pilates, strength training, water aerobics, Tai Chi, and guided hikes across more than 40 miles of trails.
Three onsite health centers handle the spa side, offering a full range of treatments and therapies throughout the week. The food earns its own mention: nourishing, pescatarian-style cuisine built around fresh produce from the Tres Estrellas Organic Farm right on the property.
Rooted Since 1940
The Ranch was founded by spa pioneers Deborah Szekely and her late husband Edmond Szekely – two of the people most credited with shaping the modern wellness resort as we know it.
That foundation is still very much alive here: a focus on nature, community, movement, and nourishment that has kept people returning for decades.
See you there!
Rancho La Puerta has been drawing people in and keeping them coming back for over 80 years. Your first visit – or your fifteenth – awaits.
🎟️ Book your stay here
ℹ️ Find more details here
See you there, San Diego!
Sempra, the San Diego-based Fortune 500 energy giant, announced changes in the executive suite that the company says reflect greater focus on its holdings in the utilities sector.
Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Karen Sedgwick will become the chief executive officer and president of Southern California Gas, one of Sempra’s subsidiaries.
She will be replaced by Justin Bird, who is currently the CEO of Sempra Infrastructure, the company’s subsidiary in Houston that builds, operates and invests in projects such as liquefied natural gas, or LNG, facilities.
The appointments come in the wake of a $10 billion agreement announced last fall between the Sempra parent company and KKR, one of world’s biggest investment firms. Affiliates of KKR will buy a 45% equity interest in Sempra Infrastructures Partners.
The deal, which is expected to wrap up within the next two months, underscores Sempra’s intention to concentrate the company’s investment strategy on its utility assets in Texas and California.
“This is an exciting time for our company as we continue to advance the growth of our utility businesses,” Sempra’s Chairman and CEO Jeff Martin said in a statement. “These appointments further our mission alignment and strengthen our ability to deliver long-term value for our stakeholders. Our board has great confidence in both Karen and Justin and the leadership they will bring to their new roles.”
Sempra is the parent company of San Diego Gas & Electric, as well as Dallas-based Oncor, a utility that operates the largest transmission and distribution system in Texas. Sempra affiliate SoCalGas, with headquarters in Los Angeles, is the largest natural gas distribution utility in the U.S.
Sedgwick, who has worked at various Sempra companies for more than 30 years, already serves on the SoCalGas board of directors. She replaces Maryam Brown, who left SoCalGas and was named president and chief operating officer of Indiana Michigan Power on April 27.
Bird, with more than 20 years at Sempra, will also lead the company’s investor relations, treasury, financial planning, audit, insurance and tax functions. He will continue serving on the boards of Sempra Infrastructure and Oncor.
Bird and Sedgwick will assume their new roles on or around the closing of the KKR transaction. Last month, Bob Patel was named as incoming CEO of Sempra Infrastructure.
Sempra officials believe the KKR deal will generate “substantial cash proceeds” and support “disciplined capital allocation” by simplifying the company’s business and investment strategy.
The transaction is expected to result in about 95% of Sempra’s earnings to come from U.S. regulated utilities in 2027. The company has set a goal to have 60% of its rate base located in Texas by the end of this decade.
The KKR agreement will result in a reduction in Sempra’s stake in its various LNG investments.
Sempra’s ownership share of the first phase of the Energía Costa Azul facility in Ensenada, Mexico, will be reduced from 58.4% to 20.9%.
On the U.S. Gulf Coast, Sempra’s share of Cameron LNG in Louisiana will be reduced from 35.1% to 12.6%. In addition, its share of the first phase of the Port Arthur LNG project in Texas will drop from 19.6% to 7%, and its ownership of the second phase of Port Arthur will fall from 35.1% to 12.5%.
Global entertainment company Webtoon is returning to the hallowed halls of San Diego Comic-Con with a larger-than-life slate of panels featuring top talent and fresh announcements.
They will be shining the spotlight on some of today’s most engaging webcomic creators, including Derek V. Song (Fantasy High) and Punko (Cinderella Boy).
Let’s take a look at their schedule:
Thursday, July 23 – 10am – Room 29AB
Creature Craft: Visionaries of Horror Comics Share Their Secrets
This panel features Punko, creator of Stagtown and Cinderella Boy on WEBTOON; Cullen Bunn, creator of Ripcord and Deluge for Ignition Press; and Cat Staggs, co-creator of Death Mask, and artist on Tales for a HalloweeNight for Storm King Comics. Rotem Rusak, Editor-in-Chief at Nerdist, will moderate.
Friday, July 24 – 10am – Room 32AB
Love in Every Universe: The Great Romance Trope Debate
Join ROSEOAK, creator of Not So Silent on WEBTOON, Alessandra Ferreri, Head of Content at Wattpad, E.M. Wilson, author of Situationship, and Becca Erin Title, founder of Meet Cute Romance Bookshop. The panel is moderated by Crystal Bell, the Culture Editor at Mashable.
Friday, July 24 – 1pm – Room 32AB
Adapting Fantasy High for WEBTOON with Derek V. Song
Featuring Derek V. Song, writer of Fantasy High. Fans will get a behind-the-scenes look at adapting the beloved Dimension 20 series for WEBTOON and learn more about bringing the world of Fantasy High to a new visual format.
Saturday, July 25 – 11:30am – Room 24ABC
What’s Next from WEBTOON Entertainment
Featuring Ryan Lee, Head of Content at WEBTOON; Sydney Bright, Head of Global Animation at WEBTOON Productions; Erik Kozura, Producer at WEBTOON; ROSEOAK, creator of Not So Silent; Derek V. Song, writer of Fantasy High; Punko, creator of Stagtown and Cinderella Boy; and Ucheomaaa, creator of Vibe Check! on WEBTOON. Journalist, comic critic, and 2026 Eisner judge, Tiffany Babb, will moderate. his panel will deliver a slew of announcements, exclusive first looks, and Creator appearances from its platform and entertainment businesses. Additionally, the panel will give fans a window into what’s next from WEBTOON’s most exciting stories and projects, with news from WEBTOON Originals, WEBTOON Productions, WEBTOON Unscrolled, and more.
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