Our Mission
To connect the community to Jewish heritage, identity, experiences and values to ensure the continuity and vibrancy of the Jewish community. We accomplish our mission by promoting the physical and mental well-being of the community and offering a rich array of stimulating and innovative social, cultural, educational, and recreational programs and services. The LFJCC is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for San Diego’s diverse Jewish community and its greater general community.
Core Values
HACHNASAT ORCHIM LIVNOT KEHILAH | הכנסת אורחים לבנות קהילהWelcoming Guests to Build Community
Hachnasat Orchim means welcoming guests. It is the idea that every person who walks through our doors matters. We work to create a space where people feel safe, included, and at home. When people feel welcomed, community grows naturally.
AHAVAT LIMUD | אהבת לימודLove of Learning
Ahavat Limud means loving learning. We believe curiosity keeps us alive and connected. From early childhood to lifelong learning, we create opportunities to explore, question, and grow. Learning is not just about knowledge. It is about becoming.
Shmirat HaGuf | שמירת הגוףGuarding the Body, Connecting Physical Well-being and Holistic Health
Shmirat HaGuf means caring for the body. We believe physical health is deeply connected to emotional and spiritual well-being. Through fitness, movement, and wellness programs, we support strength, balance, and a healthy life at every age.
L’dor V’dor | לדור ודורLinking Generations
L’dor V’dor means from generation to generation. Our community brings together children, teens, adults, and seniors in shared spaces and shared experiences. When generations connect, stories are passed on, wisdom is shared, and tradition stays alive.
Hiddur Mitzvah | הידור מצווהEnhancing Our Humanity through Creative Expression
Hiddur Mitzvah means bringing beauty and intention to what we do. We believe creativity elevates everyday life. Through arts, culture, and celebration, we express our values with pride and help our community experience Jewish life in meaningful ways.
Our History
The Jewish Community Center of San Diego County began in 1945 with a small group of dedicated volunteers and a big idea. They believed San Diego’s Jewish community needed a place to gather, grow, and belong. What started in the College area became something much larger than anyone imagined.
In 1958, the JCC opened its first permanent home on 54th Street. For nearly fifty years, that building was the heart of Jewish life in San Diego. Families celebrated milestones there. Children learned and played there. Thousands of programs, meetings, and community moments filled its rooms.
By the late 1970s, the Jewish community had grown and expanded north toward the coast. Leaders recognized it was time to grow again. In 1982, plans were set in motion for a new community center and public park in the University City and Golden Triangle area of La Jolla. A fifty-year lease was signed with the City of San Diego, creating the foundation for what would become a shared civic and cultural space.
In the early 1980s, a transformative one million dollar gift from M. Larry Lawrence helped launch a major building effort. More than six million dollars was raised to bring the vision to life. The new campus included the Friedenberg Pool and the Albert A. Hutler Tennis Center. With the generosity of Mandell Weiss, the Mandell Weiss Eastgate City Park was also created, expanding the impact beyond our walls.
Growth continued. In 1985, an additional one and a half million dollars funded further expansion, including space for social programs, fitness classes, and the NBA regulation Jacobs Family Gymnasium. The J was thriving, and once again, it was growing beyond its space.
In 1992, the Board of Directors launched the Get Centered Capital Campaign, led by Joan and Irwin Jacobs. After years of planning and two years of construction, the building tripled in size to 97,000 square feet. The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center became the vibrant campus we know today.
From a small group of volunteers in 1945 to a thriving, multi-generational hub, our story has always been about community. Every generation has helped build this place. And the story is still unfolding.
I invite you to be part of our community built on our core values. These values have been woven into the fabric of our community for generations and set the intention to live every day to nurture the roots of our community with tradition, compassion, and a deep sense of purpose.
We're Excited to Meet You
Please join us in building a vibrant community where you will experience connection, culture, and joy!
