SAN DIEGO (SDJW) — Lauren Lizerbram of Rancho Santa Fe, the First Lady of Jewish National Fund-USA, extols the experience she had on a 4-day volunteer mission picking fruit at a kibbutz 3.7 miles from the Egyptian border. The wife of JNF-USA President Sol Lizerbram noted that Thai workers are no longer available in southern Israel, site of the Oct. 7 massacre by Hamas terrorists. “The farmer said he would have absolutely lost his entire crop if it wasn’t picked,” she reported. “And this was only one farmer. There are many farmers like him.” To become part of JNF’s volunteer program in Israel, inquire via this link.
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Chabad congregations and institutions throughout San Diego County and the rest of the world will mark the yahrzeit on Thursday of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, wife of the late Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort of Chabad at La Costa wrote of her: “An intensely private person who was rarely seen in public, she chose to keep herself out of the limelight while supporting her husband in vital ways behind the scenes. Those who did have the privilege of interacting with her tell of a regal woman with the poise and confidence that extended beyond the walls of her home.”
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Rabbi Eddie Rosenberg of Young Israel of San Diego provides a weather report in his weekly newsletter. He reports this Shabbat night, Feb. 2, “will be windy! Wear a coat. The range is from 56 to 52 degrees. On Shabbat day (Feb 3), you can expect partially cloudy skies. The day will range from 50 degrees to a high of 62 …”
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San Diego City Councilwoman Jennifer Campbell notes that she and County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer have overlapping districts. Both these Jewish public officials represent Point Loma, Ocean Beach, Midway, Mission Beach, and Mission Bay Park. Campbell, in her newsletter, also points out that the San Diego Tourism Authority is preparing a 10-year plan and seeks advice from the community about the balance between the needs of tourists and residents. She provided a link to a survey about such questions.
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U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego) reports that for renters, San Diego is the third most expensive place in the country, with the average monthly rent here at $3,175. She supported legislation to enhance the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit that in turn us expected to help build 200,000 affordable housing units. “We still have more work to do to increase the affordability and accessibility of homes and child care for the lowest-income and most marginalized households, but this legislation is a good start,” she said.
Along with other Democratic members of the San Diego congressional delegation – Scott Peters, Juan Vargas, and Mike Levin – Jacobs sent a letter to U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro seeking information that may underscore the need for fast congressional action on a cross-border sewage plant. They noted that pollutants from Tijuana sewage has “impacted water quality at beaches in our region—including those where Navy Seals regularly train.” Data provided by the Navy showed that more than 20 times in Fiscal Year 2022 training exercises had to be cancelled at the Silver Strand Training Complex. The congressional delegation’s letter went on to ask Secretary Del Toro for updated data on cancelations or relocated training operations and “the cost of relocating or canceling training or operations, whether Navy personnel have raised concerns about training in contaminated water, and whether the Navy is collecting data on the effects of polluted water on training.”
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Rabbi Rafael Andrusier of Chabad of East County passes this humorous story along: “Yitzhak had just moved into a new apartment and was out celebrating with his friend Benny. At 2am, he invited Benny back to his apartment where they continued to celebrate. Then Benny said, “Before I go, why not show me around?” So, Yitzhak proudly showed Benny his apartment and all the high tech it contained. Then he took Benny into his bedroom where his friend couldn’t help but notice a very large shofar on the chest of drawers. “Why do you have a shofar in your bedroom?” asked Benny. “That’s my clock,” Yitzhak replied. “A clock? Are you serious?” said Benny. “Of course,” replied Yitzhak. “So how does it work?” said Benny. Watch this,” replied Yitzhak, as he picked up the shofar and blew it at the top of his lungs. They stood looking at each other for a moment when suddenly, someone in the apartment next door screamed, “Stop that, you inconsiderate oaf. It’s quarter to three in the morning.”
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Beth Jacob Congregation seeks volunteers to bake challah for seniors. An ad in its bulletin reads: “Bake and deliver challah to our community’s senior citizens with your daughter(s). We can provide dough or a recipe if needed. Brighten someone’s Shabbos and give your daughters another opportunity to be part of the shul community.” Inquiries may be made by phoning the congregation at (619) 287-9890.
–OBITUARY NOTICE–
Am Israel Mortuary reports that funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, Feb. 5, at El Camino Memorial Park for Sandra (Stark) Wexler (Jan. 16, 1933-Jan. 31, 2024). Rabbi Benj Fried will officiate the services at the cemetery located at 5500 Carroll Canyon Road. Wexler was born in Painesville, Ohio, and was the forebear of 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She had been a resident of San Diego since 1977.
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SDJW staff report