Editor, Jewishsightseeing:

Your piece on the closure of the AJC office implies that the decision to close the San Diego office was made primarily for financial reasons.  This is simply not the case.  If you take a look at the Charity Navigator, a highly respected website that evaluates non-profits, (http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/search.summary/orgid/3266.htm) you'll see a picture of a highly-rated, financially healthy organization.  In fact, the AJC's annual fund raising campaign has increased every year for the past 15 years.

But what is most important, AJC is not closing its San Diego chapter.  What we are doing is developing a strategic plan that will allow us to better address the needs of the newer Jewish communities like San Diego.  As the recent demographic study of the San Diego Jewish community demonstrates, these communities are different in many respects from the older, more established communities in the Midwest and East.  They have their own characteristics, strengths and weaknesses.

It is clear to us that to be effective in a community like San Diego we must "think outside the box."  That is what we intend to do over the next six - twelve months.  Meanwhile, Paula Jacobs, who will remain in her professional capacity and Tad, chapter president, will be working closely with our national colleagues, both lay and professional, as we re-define our presence and activities in San Diego.  Rest assured, AJC is not leaving town.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Levine, Director of Community Services, American Jewish Committee                   

Tad Parzen, President, San Diego Chapter, American Jewish Committee