About Us

The San Diego Jewish Journal is the pioneer Jewish lifestyles magazine on the West Coast. It was founded in October 2001 by Dr. Mark Moss and Mark Edelstein who shared the vision of a Jewish magazine that spoke to Jews of all movements and traditions. The Journal published its first issue in December 2001 and has more than tripled its size since birth. It now reaches more than 19,000 Jewish households throughout San Diego, Palm Springs and Temecula Valley.

SDJJ has a sister publication, The Orange County Jewish Life showcasing the variety and vitality of Jewish Orange County and can be seen at www.ocjewishlife.com.


Mark Moss – Publisher 

Mark Moss is a long-time veteran of organized Jewish life. From 1983-84, he was president of the San Mateo chapter of Magen David Adom.  1986-90, he was president of the Alpha Omega Jewish Dental Fraternity of San Diego. 1986-92, he served as executive director of Congregation Beth El in La Jolla. And then from, 1995-2000, he was executive director of Congregation Beth Am. He is currently a member of three San Diego area synagogues and is married with three beautiful daughters. His wife of 37 years, Ellen, is a preschool teacher. publisher@sdjewishjournal.com


Mark Edelstein – Co-publisher & Advertising Director 

Mark Edelstein is a veteran of three decades in advertising sales. In 1986, he started his own advertising firm, Edelstein, Inc., where he sold in all media, primarily to the Jewish community. A former schoolteacher and would-be stand-up comedian, Edelstein is a member of Congregation Beth Israel in La Jolla, California. He and his beautiful wife Susan have three wonderful children. marke@sdjewishjournal.com


Jessica Hanewinckel – Editor 

Jessica Hanewinckel is the former assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish Journal and a native of Southern California. She received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Kansas State University and has almost a decade of experience writing and editing for numerous publications. Married, she lives in San Diego with her wonderful husband, Chris, and their two dogs. editor@sdjewishjournal.com


Laurie Miller – Art Director 

Laurie Miller, a transplant from Louisiana, heads the art department for both the San Diego Jewish Journal. She’s been with the magazine for almost 10 years and has a collected 12 years design experience. She is also a fine artist whose work has hung in galleries throughout the south. She enjoys long walks on the beach at sunset… art@sdjewishjournal.com



Alanna Berman – Assistant Editor 

Alanna is a San Diego transplant from northern California. She received her
bachelor’s degree in journalism from San Diego State University, where she
was an editor for the Daily Aztec. She has been writing and editing for six
years and has been published in numerous publications. She loves the San
Diego sun and is happy to love what she does every day! alannab@sdjewishjournal.com


Diane Benaroya – Senior Sales Representative 

Diane is originally from Buffalo, New York. Leaving Buffalo for warmer
climates, she has lived in Atlanta and Israel before settling in San Diego
with her four children.

Diane got her degrees in music and counseling but has worked in advertising
for over 20 years.While not working Diane enjoys cooking, playing piano,
practicing yoga, and meeting new people. dianeb@sdjewishjournal.com

Contributing writers
Judith Fein (Senior Travel Correspondent), Rabbi Philip Graubart, Karen Pearlman, Sharon Rosen Leib, Eileen Sondak, Pat Launer, Tinamarie Bernard

Contributing photographers
Chris Hanewinckel, Paul Ross (Senior Travel Photographer), Vito Di Stefano, Daisy Varley, Angela Sissa

Advertising representatives
Diane Benaroya (Senior Account Executive), Alan Moss (Palm Springs)