San Diego Jewish Groups Decry Disinvitation of Rabbi from MLK Day Event

Organizers cited 'concerns about potential disruption related to Zionism' as reason for excluding rabbi from closing prayer

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:47am

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The organizers of a Martin Luther King Day event in San Diego have come under fire from local Jewish groups after a rabbi said he was disinvited from speaking at the event due to his 'connection to Israel'. Rabbi Hanan Leberman, the leader of the Conservative Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego, had initially been slated to give the closing prayer at the city's All Peoples Celebration, but was later told he could not participate.

Why it matters

This incident highlights ongoing tensions between the Jewish community and some activist groups over issues related to Israel and Zionism. The exclusion of a Jewish leader from a celebration of diversity and inclusion has been seen by many as contradictory to the event's stated purpose.

The details

According to Leberman, the reason given for his disinvitation was his 'connection to Israel'. Leberman is an American-born rabbi who served in the IDF in Israel before moving to San Diego in 2024. The event organizers, a group called Alliance San Diego, disputed Leberman's account, stating they had asked two speakers to give up their slots 'in response to concerns about potential disruption related to Zionism and anti-Zionism', but said the speakers were not disinvited. The other speaker has not been publicly identified.

  • On January 18, 2026, Rabbi Hanan Leberman announced on Facebook that he had been disinvited from speaking at the MLK Day event.
  • The 38th annual All Peoples Celebration took place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 20, 2026.

The players

Rabbi Hanan Leberman

The leader of the Conservative Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego, who was initially slated to give the closing prayer at the city's All Peoples Celebration but was later disinvited.

Alliance San Diego

The community group that organized the All Peoples Celebration event in San Diego.

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What’s next

The organizers of the All Peoples Celebration have stated they will work to include more diverse voices, including Jewish leaders, in future events.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and sensitivities around issues of Israel, Zionism, and anti-Semitism, even within events intended to celebrate diversity and inclusion. It underscores the need for greater understanding, dialogue, and a commitment to truly representing all people, regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs.