For decades, Silvana Christy has been a quiet force in Jewish San Diego – the kind of leader who builds programs, strengthens institutions, and brings people into community without ever wanting the spotlight. That consistent, behind-the-scenes impact is exactly what Jewish Federation of San Diego Women’s Philanthropy is honoring this year, naming Christy as the newest recipient of the Anne Ratner Award for Extraordinary Leadership, a distinguished recognition of sustained leadership, philanthropic excellence, and dedication to Jewish life in San Diego.
Established in 1993 by Women’s Division of United Jewish Federation, the award honors the legacy of Anne Ratner, a matriarch of Jewish San Diego and a true Woman of Valor. Before she passed away at the age of 100, Ratner was a powerful role model for her family and for so many throughout the community. She was deeply proud of the meaningful accomplishments of Women’s Division, now known as Women’s Philanthropy. Ratner also believed in celebrating the leadership of Jewish women and created a legacy gift to establish this award and ensure that future generations would continue to be inspired by the values she embodied: devotion, humility, and a profound sense of responsibility for Jewish life.
Christy is the living expression of that legacy.
For years, Christy has worked behind the scenes for some of San Diego’s most beloved Jewish institutions always ensuring excellence. Jewish Federation of San Diego, Lawrence Family JCC, and Congregation Beth Israel have all benefitted from her unwavering commitment and care. Her service has been both extensive and deeply personal: a decade on the JCC Board, active leadership in Jewish education through Tapestry Jewish Learning programs, and volunteer work supporting Israel programming and community engagement. Her leadership has also been formally recognized, including a JCC Volunteer of the Year honor and other community acknowledgments for her exceptional involvement.
Through Women’s Philanthropy and Federation, Christy has become a passionate and fearless solicitor. She not only participates, she leads. She makes meaningful commitments and helps ensure others do the same, because she understands that philanthropy is not transactional. It is transformational.
Her leadership is perhaps most visible in the causes she supports with her whole heart, including Israel. After years of bringing comfort to hospitals and individuals through animal-assisted support with her trained therapy dog, Lucy, Christy helped champion and expand that same model of care in Sha’ar HaNegev, San Diego’s Israeli sister region. One of her most impactful initiatives began with a birthday fundraiser to support therapy dogs there.
That same spirit animates her work with Peace of Mind, where she has opened her home and heart to Israeli soldiers participating in a therapeutic healing program. She has hosted multiple times, becoming family to young soldiers far from home, a quiet but powerful act of communal responsibility.
The Anne Ratner Award will be formally presented to Silvana Christy at Federation’s annual gala, FED360, on February 7, honoring Christy’s record of leadership, and the values that define Jewish communal responsibility: service, investment in the next generation, and an ongoing commitment to sustaining a vibrant Jewish San Diego.
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