For over 30 years, the San Diego Jewish Arts Festival (JFest) has served as a premier cultural engine, producing professional theater, music, and dance that explores the Jewish experience while fostering vibrant cross-cultural dialogue. As we transition into a year-round 501(c)(3) entity, our programming is anchored by three primary pillars:

The Jewish Arts Festival and Whole Megillah: Our flagship festival features world-class headliners and professional commissions across music, dance, and theater. This includes the Whole Megillah New Play Festival, a critical incubator for developing new theatrical works that celebrate the diversity of the Jewish diaspora. These performances provide a platform for local premieres and national collaborations, reaching thousands of attendees annually.

The Women of Valor Series: This documentary theater initiative honors the “Divine Image” (B’tzelem Elohim) in women who have made significant impacts on our region. The program recently expanded to include the Poderosas initiative, which specifically archives and celebrates the narratives of Latina leaders/innovators and Women of STEM. We bring these stories into classrooms through specialized workshops and school tours, using the Women of Valor model to teach students about resilience, identity, and the contributions of women in science and social justice.

Community and Collaborative Programming: We sustain year-round engagement through deep-rooted partnerships with regional hubs like Seacrest Village, Leichtag Commons, and New Village Arts. Our expanded calendar includes an International Dinner and Lecture Series and high-touch “co-productions” like the Punto y Coma collaboration, which explores the intersection of Latinx and Jewish narratives highlighting diverse cultures. These services ensure that high-quality arts remain accessible to diverse populations throughout San Diego and North County, moving beyond a seasonal model to a continuous cycle of community-centered storytelling.