San Diego Gala 2026

October 18, 2026
5:30 PM General Reception
6:30 PM Program
Location given upon registration
Keynote Speaker: Loay Alshareef
Live Performance: Idan Raichel
Hosted by StandWithUs Southwest

Keynote Speaker

Loay Alshareef

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Loay Alshareef is a world-class speaker and one of the foremost Arab Muslim activists, pro-Jewish and pro-peace with Israel. He is an Arab Muslim peace advocate, historian, and social media influencer whose mission is to bridge divides between Muslims and Jews and to champion peace in the Middle East. Born and raised in Saudi Arabia to a Saudi Egyptian family that once held many radical views, Loay experienced a turning point in 2010 after living with a Jewish family in France. That experience reshaped his worldview and inspired his lifelong commitment to peace. He began his media career in Saudi Arabia, working across fields such as language education, history, and tourism, before dedicating himself fully to peace advocacy and promoting the Abraham Accords. As a leading voice in interfaith dialogue and reconciliation, he has earned international recognition for his pro-Jewish stance, support for Israel’s legitimacy, and commitment to the Abraham Accords. He is currently based in United Arab Emirates. With an academic background that combines software engineering (MA, Penn State) and expertise in ancient languages and scripts, Loay offers a rare perspective that unites technology, history, and cultural understanding. He reads Egyptian hieroglyphs and ancient Arabian scripts, and leverages this deep historical knowledge to foster meaningful narratives of coexistence. Loay’s influence extends to over 800,000 followers across Instagram and X, where his multilingual content reaches a global audience. His ability to communicate complex issues in an accessible way has positioned him as one of the most compelling voices for peacebuilding, cultural diplomacy, and interreligious understanding. He frequently appears in international media, conferences, and universities across the US, Europe, and the Middle East. Above all, Loay Alshareef stands as a pioneering Arab voice of reconciliation—a bridge-builder dedicated to rewriting the story of Muslim-Jewish relations for a more peaceful future.

Live Performance

Idan Raichel

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Idan Raichel – producer, keyboardist, lyricist, composer and performer. During a career spanning a mere 17 years, Idan has become one of the most successful artists in Israel. Over the years, Idan has become an ambassador representing a world of hope in which artistic collaboration breaks down barriers between people of different backgrounds and beliefs.

Honoring

Jenny Josephson

and the legacy of Julian Josephson

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Jenny Josephson was born in South Africa and emigrated to the United States in 1978 with her late husband, Julian. At the time, their daughter Heidi was two years old, and Jenny was pregnant with their son, Anthony.

Jenny’s parents and two brothers later made Aliyah to Israel, where both brothers served in the Israel Defense Forces. Always Zionists, this connection to Israel strengthened Jenny and Julian’s lifelong commitment to Israel.

Jenny became active in Jewish community leadership, serving as President of the Young Women’s Chapter of Hadassah and as a member of the Hadassah Board, dedicating herself to Jewish causes and community service.

When Heidi entered kindergarten at the newly established San Diego Jewish Academy (SDJA), Jenny became involved with the Parents Association and served as its chairperson, leading fundraising and school support initiatives. She also helped establish a community Jewish junior high school and served on its Board of Directors. After it merged with SDJA, she remained active in leadership and board service for many years, focusing on student recruitment, community engagement, and development. Julian served as President of SDJA and played a pivotal role in its growth. Together they ensured the continued growth of SDJA, enabling it to flourish and provide a superb Jewish education and environment.

Julian served for many years as President of the San Diego chapter and as National President of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), strengthening support for Israeli soldiers and their families. Jenny chaired galas, organized fundraising events, and hosted community gatherings in support of FIDF, which became one of San Diego’s most impactful Jewish organizations under their leadership.

The Josephsons support numerous Jewish and civic organizations throughout San Diego, guided by a deep commitment to philanthropy, community service, Jewish continuity, and Israel. Their leadership has had a lasting impact in San Diego.

Jenny has been involved with StandWithUs in San Diego since its early days, serving as a longtime board member and helping grow it into a leading voice in Israel education and advocacy. She currently serves on the StandWithUs Antisemitism Task Force.

Jenny and Julian also supported the work of Art Over Hate Collective (formerly Artists 4 Israel), helping provide healing art programs and creative initiatives for Israeli children and IDF soldiers affected by trauma.

Following the October 7 attacks, Jenny dedicated significant time to raising funds for essential military equipment requested by Israeli soldiers during a critical period.

Jenny is especially proud of her children, Heidi and Russell Silberstein, and Anthony and Natalie Josephson, and her five grandchildren, Maya, Bella, Jack, Ellie, and Benny, all of whom share a strong connection to Israel and a deep sense of Jewish identity and values.

Together, Jenny and her late husband, Julian, dedicated their lives to Jewish education, Israel, and strengthening Jewish community in San Diego. Their legacy continues to guide Jenny’s ongoing involvement in Jewish community life.