By 
From San Diego to Jerusalem
By Mindy Greenspan
My son Shlomo and I attended the annual luncheon honoring the participants and donors of the Jerusalem Zoo’s youth exchange program. Formally called the Tisch Family Biblical Zoo, but popularly known as the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, it is famous for its Afro-Asiatic collection of wildlife—many of which are described in the Hebrew Bible—as well as for its global success in breeding endangered species.
The Jerusalem Zoo Foundation’s chair in San Diego is Helena Galper, who presided warmly over the event. Serving as emcee was the remarkable Judge Victor Bianchini, whose life is itself a story of resilience, service, and unexpected passions.
I later sat down with Judge Bianchini at DZ Akins to learn more about his extraordinary journey—a stellar tapestry of public service, intellectual breadth, and yes, even combat sports.
A Life of Service and Scholarship
Born into a multicultural, first-generation American family—his mother from Tiberias (then Palestine) and his father an Italian-American Navy officer—Bianchini had a nomadic upbringing before settling in San Diego at age 13.
Along the way, his career took many turns: military officer, state and federal judgeships, seasoned mediator, and Fulbright scholar. Today, he is recognized internationally as an expert in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), legal education, judiciary reform, and complex dispute resolution.
Since 2002, Bianchini has practiced as a mediator and arbitrator—first with Judicate West, and later with Signature Resolution—handling more than 3,500 cases, including high-stakes patent disputes and class actions. His approach, blending evaluative and facilitative strategies, emphasizes empathy, patience, and persistence.
In parallel, his academic career has been prolific: Associate Professor at SDSU, chair of Criminal Justice & Business Law at National University, adjunct professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, and Faculty Council member of the National Judicial College. As a Senior Fulbright Scholar to Eritrea, he helped draft the judiciary’s code of conduct and a 2,000-page judicial education syllabus—an enduring contribution to international law.
Military Honors
Bianchini’s public service began long before the courtroom. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps (active and reserve) from 1960 to 1991, retiring as a Colonel. His service included tank and force-recon units, parachuting, Vietnam (as combat correspondent and crewman), and senior leadership roles, including Deputy Inspector General, USEUCOM during Desert Shield/Storm.
His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Combat “V,” three Air Medals with “V,” the Joint Services Commendation Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon, among others.
The Unexpected Champion
As if law and military service weren’t enough, Judge Bianchini discovered saber fencing at the age of 72, inspired by watching his daughter compete. He was immediately successful—and never looked back.
Now in his 80s, he has amassed 25 Gold, 15 Silver, and 27 Bronze medals in national and international competitions, and continues to compete on the world stage. This year, he is headed to Portugal to represent the United States once again.
The Luncheon
Given his lifelong devotion to service and his deep love of animals, it was only fitting that Judge Bianchini emceed the annual luncheon in San Diego.
The highlight of this year’s gathering was a live Zoom call and presentation from two of the Jerusalem Zoo’s stellar staff. They delivered an award-winning talk titled “Resilience Under Fire,” which recounted the challenges of caring for animals during wartime.
Almost 40% of the zoo’s staff were called up for reserve military duty. Many lost close friends or relatives. Yet even in grief, they tended daily to the hoofed, winged, and four-legged residents of the zoo. Though the zoo was closed to the public for six weeks after the October 7 attacks, the animals never missed a meal, a check-up, or a moment of compassionate care.
Photos and spoken testimony revealed the heartbreak and the heroism: staff conducting behavioral studies on trauma-affected animals while sirens wailed, rockets thundered, and interceptors filled the skies. Through it all, they managed to maintain routine—not only for the animals, but for each other.
An Oasis of Coexistence
As the luncheon drew to a close, what lingered was more than just appreciation for animals or admiration for science. It was a deep sense of connection. In a world where unrest and division dominate the headlines, the partnership between the San Diego Zoo and the Jerusalem Zoo stands as a quiet testament to what can happen when curiosity, compassion, and collaboration cross borders.
The Jerusalem Zoo acts as both oasis and beacon—a sanctuary of peace and coexistence in a turbulent region, reminding us that even in times of war, compassion is the most enduring act of survival.
Learn more at https://www.jerusalemzoo.org.il/en/biblical-zoo.
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