Unity Minyan Nov. 23 to Follow Race for Hungry

SAN DIEGO (SDJW)—A Thanksgiving Community Run/ Walk for the Hungry will leave Horton Plaza at three different times, depending on the contemplated length of the effort.  Those participating in a 10-kilometer exercise will depart at 7 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 23.  Participants in the 5K will depart at 8:15 a.m., and one-milers in the “Maccabe Mile” will leave ten minutes later, at 8:25 a.m., according to organizer Michael London.

Entry fee is $36 with proceeds going to the San Diego Food Bank.  London said those who sign up with the Maccabe/ London team will receive a free T-shirt.

London, a former San Diego Charger and former president of the 54th Street Jewish Community Center, said Chabad of Downtown will host a unity minyan immediately following the race.

He said representatives of various segments of the Jewish community have signed up to participate in the race, among them: Steve Weitzen for the Modern Orthodox; Henry Zajd for Chabad; Brent Meltzer for Conservative Judaism; David Kroll for Reform Judaism; Arjaing Esmaelzadeh for the Persian Jewish community, and Max Moyal for the Moroccan Jewish community.

London said having people from all streams of Judaism pray together is a “needed and important step” for the Jewish community, which has been divided in the past by sectarian disputes.

“When war or crisis strikes Israel, or the Jewish community as a whole, we are there together,” London said. “When anti-Semitism attacks our community, or comes to our door, we fight as one.  It is apparent that in San Diego we must be open and freely communicating with the entire Jewish community, no matter what our level of practice or commitment to our family (Israel), we must remain united and strong.”

Following the Chabad minyan at 308 G Street, there will be a glatt kosher Kiddush sponsored by London and Place Café, featuring cuisine by chef Boaz Zuzan.

London said the event will conclude by 11 a.m., “giving you enough time to return home for you to share Thanksgiving dinner.”

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Preceding based on material provided by Michael London