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Benson, Charlie, McKenna, Leo, Lennon, Joshua. In addition to the extended family of nieces and nephews from the east to the west coast. Family was a big piece of his heart.

Blind since birth, Wayne, with Marin at his side, was a talented musician and band leader, passionate about creating memories to last a lifetime through his upbeat, positive music. Please keep Marin in your prayers and continue with unsolicited and unexpected acts of kindness, as Wayne did his entire life.

A Celebration of Life was held on Sunday, March 26, 2023. For more information contact bonnie@bonniefosterproductions.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Heal The Earth, (www.healtheearth.info) an organization about which Wayne felt strongly.

JEWISH AND UKRAINIAN MUSIC: A JOINT TRADITION

On March 19, 2023, Yiddishland California sponsored a concert of Ukrainian/Jewish songs by the world famous Klezmers Michael Alpert, Craig Judelman, and Sasha Lurje. 10 percent of the proceeds went to help Ukrainian refugees in San Diego. Learn more about the revitalization of Yiddish music, culture, and language at www. yiddishlandcalifornia.org. To help local Ukrainian refugees, visit amnasanctuary.org.

BLINDNESS, MUSICAL TALENT, UNWAVERING OPTIMISM AND A HEART FULL OF LOVE

Wayne Foster, 88, of San Diego, Calif., graduated peacefully to that great Big Band in Heaven, on Sunday, February 19, 2023, prompting an outpouring of love from the family of musicians he and Marin connected, his clients turned friends, and the many lives touched through his music and love.

In 1951, Wayne met his precious wife Marin while performing at a fundraiser for Cerebral Palsy with his band in New York. They have been sweethearts, holding hands, living a magical, musical love story ever since that day. Wayne and Marin went on to have four children, Susan Foster Nussbaum, Jacqueline Foster (Hedi), Nancy Wiesner (Bernard0) and Bonnie Foster (Chuck), seven Grandchildren, Benjamin Nussbaum (Chloe), Joshua Nussbaum, Gabriel Nussbaum (Of blessed memory), Zach Nussbaum (Haven), Izzy Pollak, Sami Pollak, Jason Wiesner (Jackie) and seven great-grandchildren, Noah,

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE NAMES DAVE MYERS AS DIRECTOR, SAFETY AND SECURITY

Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) named Dave Myers as its first director of safety and security. Myers brings his extensive history in law enforcement to the role, where he will oversee security for all JFS programs and services.

Myers is a retired Sheriff’s Commander with a passion for protecting and providing assistance to communities in need. With over 35 years of experience working law enforcement, Myers has worked in almost every division of the Sheriff’s Department — working up the ranks from a patrol deputy, to Commander, to running for Sheriff in 2018.

“The safety of our community has always been a top priority,” said JFS CEO Michael Hopkins. “It is incredibly important to entrust that responsibility to someone who will protect the well-being of all who step foot on the JFS campus, while always meeting them with compassion and respect.”

Myers brings a history of dedication to the San Diego community. During his time in law enforcement, he established the Sheriff’s Department Youth Advisory Group, a space where the department could hear directly from the youth of our communities about their concerns and aspirations, as well as cultivate a culture of mutual respect and support. He has served as board president of the YES Program, a nonprofit organization in Barrio Logan that connects at risk youth with social services such as remedial education, work readiness skills and connections to employment opportunities. He also served for 15 years as an elected trustee on the San Diego County Employees’ Retirement Association, overseeing nearly $15 billion in defined pension assets for nearly 44,000 county of San Diego public employees and was twice elected board chairman.

In 1994, Myers was presented with the Medal for Lifesaving after stopping an individual from jumping off a bridge onto a busy roadway. He happened upon the person and was able to grab them from off the ledge and pull them back onto the roadway to safety. Among his impressive list of other awards and achievements, Myers was the recipient of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Excellence in Law Enforcement Research Gold Award in 2015. He has also authored several articles based on his experience in law enforcement, including topics relating to “lone wolf terrorism,” law enforcement in Israel, LGBTQ in law enforcement, and regional law enforcement collaboration.

As director of safety and security, Myers will align his personal dedication to serving the people of San Diego with the mission of the JFS, which is to help individuals and families move forward, while developing innovative strategies to break cycles of poverty and strengthen our San Diego community.

For more information, visit jfssd.org