The 2016 AJFCA Annual Conference was a success thanks to the hospitality of the host community, Jewish Family Service of San Diego, our talented speakers and presenters and enthusiastic attendees and supportive sponsors.
 

As the nighttime lights came on over the city of San Diego, attendees of the 2016 AJFCA Annual Conference gathered for a wonderful Havdalah celebration. This was a terrific beginning to two and a half days of connecting with one another as we shared information, resources, and strategies. We dined together, both in large and small groups, as we got to know one another and exchanged personal and professional
stories. We heard four knowledgeable plenary speakers, each of whom inspired us and shone a light on the critical work of our agencies and the contributions of the Jewish community as a whole. We participated in workshop sessions led by many of you, each one urging us to strive for excellence and providing us the tools to keep on making progress. We relaxed for a bit at a lively host reception as we moved to the sounds of a Mariachi band aboard the USS Midway Museum. And, we enjoyed the hospitality of our host community throughout our time in San Diego. 

Elena Rossini Writer & Director The Illusionists

From the work that you do as professionals and volunteers at your agencies, you understand the obligation of the community through each and every one of its members to seek out those in need and draw them close where we know they will gain strength. Judaism teaches us a sense of collective responsibility that calls each of us to participate in our own way - whether through donation, volunteer work, professional practice, or random acts of kindness. We sense our unity and mutual responsibility through each recollection of our history, we feel it in the honor and reverence the community places on every individual and family within, and we know it through the values we are taught to dignify each person, to work toward a more perfect world and to act in the Jewish way. We understand that the work we do is intensely Jewish because of the how, what, and why we do what we do, more than who we serve. It is, indeed, sacred work.
 
To those of you who were at the conference, thank you for participating and adding so much to the experience for all of us. To those of you who were not able to attend this year, please take advantage of the opportunity to see materials and photos using the links below and even more as they are added to our Facebook page and website over the coming weeks. To all, we look forward to seeing you in the coming years and together again as a community.

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If you have not already done so, please share your conference feedback with us. Click here to access the conference evaluation survey.
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Continuing education credit session evaluation forms for licensed social workers are available in each session description and can be accessed here. Certificates of completion will be emailed within the next 30 days. Hard copies are available upon request. Please contact Zahava with questions.

Conference photos are available here, on AJFCA's Facebook page. Check back frequently for more photos.