Items in today’s column include:
*Holocaust survivors are utilizing special fund established locally
*Temple Adat Shalom in major security upgrade
*Rabbinic search committee at Congregation Beth Israel
*Ohr Shalom volunteers preparing hot lunches
*Political Bytes
*Coming Our Way
By Donald H. Harrison
Holocaust survivors are utilizing special fund established locally
SAN DIEGO — Michael Jeser, the president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County, reports that $42,000 of a $100,000 fund to help Holocaust survivors already has been expended.
“The first claim was filed in July,” he wrote in an email to Jewish community members. “Since then, there have been 80 requests for emergency services … We were told that San Diego is accessing these funds at a faster rate than any of the other dozen communities who are part of this pilot funding program.”
The fund which was created by Kavod and Seed the Dream Foundation has been primarily utilized for food-related issues, “while the most expensive services are emergency dental care,” Jeser said. “Survivors have delayed dental work for decades, affecting their interactions with others because they’re self-conscious about their teeth.”
Jewish Family Service of San Diego is the agency administering the program locally.
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Temple Adat Shalom in major security upgrade
In the wake of the shooting at neighboring Chabad of Poway, Temple Adat Shalom has been undertaking a major security upgrade of its property. According to Hannah Cohen, the congregation’s co-president, the $630,000 project includes new fencing, access control, cameras, lighting, special electronic and magnetic locks, and special entrance and exit gates for both vehicles and pedestrians.
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Rabbinic search committee at Congregation Beth Israel
Who will be the next senior rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel? Congregation President Kimberly Carnot and Allison Golding are co-chairing the rabbinic search committee that will help to answer this question. Other committee members are Dave Kuhn, Dan Jones, Heather Keith, Jerry Goldberg, Kevin Berkowitz, Meryl Maneker, Rob Rubin, Robyn Spiegel, Russ Gold, and Tammy Vener. In the interim since the retirement or Rabbi Michael Berk, Rabbi/ Cantor Arlene Bernstein has been serving as the acting senior rabbi.
Ohr Shalom volunteers preparing hot lunches
Ohr Shalom Synagogue has an ongoing commitment to serve hot lunches at the TAY (Transitional Age Youth) Academy, which is described as a “safe place to gather during the day and receive a variety of support services. Laundry and shower facilities are available. Ohr Shalom volunteers prepare, deliver and serve hot lunches to these youth (approximately 18 on any given day.)” Marilyn Shelden and Marcia Sachs are helping to coordinate the volunteer effort.
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Political bytes
Tommy Hough, former president of San Diego County Democrats for Environmental Action, is urging the election of Terra Lawson-Remer to the 3rd District Board of Supervisors seat now held by Kristin Gaspar. Calling Lawson-Remer “a proven environmental champion,” Hough and his friend Yvonne Elkin are hosting a “meet and greet” for the candidate from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 20 in Mira Mesa, at a place to be disclosed to those who RSVP. “Tackling climate change, protecting our open space and biodiversity, and applying new techniques to preserve habitat and prevent wildfire locally starts with taking back the County,” Hough said. “This year, that starts and ends with District 3.” … Paul Kruze of East County Magazine reports that Republican candidates in the 50th Congressional District are having some fun teasing each other. State Senator Brian Jones offered to take former Congressman Darrell Issa and former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio on a tour of his district – a tongue in cheek offer to emphasize that neither of those two opponents actually live in the district. Issa shot back that in the past, before reapportionment, he had represented the northern portion of the district, and that two of his supporters – El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells and former Navy Seal Larry Wilske of Descanso have offered to show him the southern portions of the district. DeMaio offered no immediate response. Jones, Issa, and DeMaio all are opposing fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter who is facing trial on charges of misappropriation of campaign funds. Ammar Campa-Najjar, the Democrat who came close to defeating Hunter in 2018, notes that as a resident of the district, he is one of the few candidates in the race who will be able to vote for himself. …
Coming Our Way
Rabbi Deborah Prinz, former spiritual leader of Temple Adat Shalom of Poway, has researched the connection between Jews and chocolate and has written a book on the subject. She will be the guest speaker at 6 p.m., Friday night services, Oct. 11 at Temple Solel. The congregation reports that Prinz “will take us on a gastronomic and historical adventure through cultures, countries and centuries – on the trail of chocolate and chocolate lovers of all backgrounds.” An oneg will follow with recipes from Prinz’s book … Tammy Gillies, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, joins Rabbi Ron Shulman of Congregation Beth El in a symposium on “New and Not So New Anti-Semitism at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 17 … Sydney and Denise Selati will be honored Saturday evening Nov. 9 at the ninth annual Friends of the Israel Defense Forces gala at the Hilton Bayfront. The dinner is themed “A Night of Heroes.” RSVPs and tickets may be arranged via the FIDF website.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com
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