LA MESA, California – My boy/girl twins celebrated their birthday on Wednesday, Feb. 19 by turning 13 years old. My husband and I look at each other and ask “where has the time gone?”
I look back at pictures and remember how worried we were since they were born at 33 weeks. My son Alex arrived screaming and punching everyone; he has not been silent since. Daughter CeCe arrived 2 minutes later, and they had to wake her up and make sure she was okay. They both spent some time in the NICU and we all left a week later.
Our hearts are broken for the Bibas family who will not be celebrating a Bar Mitzvah. Devasting this must be for Yarden Bibas, the father, who was released from captivity on Feb. 1. The coffins carrying his children, Kfir and Ariel, were paraded through the streets like it was a festival. So was a coffin that Hamas said contained the remains of Yarden’s wife, Shiri, but which Israeli authorities discovered not to be Shiri, but an unknown Gazan woman.
What if this grotesque festival happened on my street outside of my house? I would be disgusted. What if you did not agree to participate since you knew this was wrong, would you be next? I don’t understand how this is acceptable and who would think this is appropriate.
I explained this to my 13-year-old twins and they both said this was not fair and this is not okay.
I always hug those I love since I do not know what will happen when we part ways.
February has been a difficult month with many people I was close with who have passed away. I remind myself that it is okay to be sad and cry and to answer phone calls from those I know are calling me to have an ear to listen.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Beth Jacob Congregation announces a save the date event occurring during Memorial Day Weekend, Sunday, May 25. This event will honor Rabbi Avram and Rebbetzin Leah Bogopulsky’s 30-year dedication and commitment to Beth Jacob. This will be a memorable evening filled with gratitude, inspiration and celebration. More information forthcoming.
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CHABAD HAPPENINGS
Chula Vista announces a new Jewish Learning Institute Course “Journey of the Soul” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 4. This is a six-week course that will take a fresh look at life, death , and the rest in peace. Click here to register.
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East County invites the community to attend its “Purim in the Palace” at 5:30 p.m., Friday, Mar. 14. This event includes hamantaschen decorating by the Royal Chefs, entertainment by Court Jester, Majestic Feast in the ballroom, Meggilah scroll reading by Palace Courier and more. Click here to rsvp.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Ohr Shalom Synagogue reports the person who vandalized the synagogue in January and February has been arrested and jailed and could face up to 13 years in state prison if convicted of all charges, which include interference with civil rights, vandalism of religious property for intimidation, and arson. The individual was booked into county jail on $250,000 bail. A judge reduced his bail to $200,000 and has a hearing scheduled for later this month.
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Congregation Beth Am reports it held a special Minyan on Thursday, Feb. 20, offering prayers for the families still held hostage in Gaza and to honor the memory of those who have lost their lives. The organizers recognize that these are very challenging times, and many of its members may feel anxious, saddened, heartbroken and overwhelmed. Click here if you need someone to talk to as its rabbis are here to listen and offer support.
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Jewish Journey in Lithuania and Latvia, led by Professor Yale Strom and Elizabeth Schwartz, are accepting registrations for the May 12-23, 2025, trip. As many as 1 million Americans have ancestral roots from Lithuania – many of them Jews. Strom and Schwartz will also perform klezmer/Yiddish concerts with local professional musicians. Click here to register.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Lee Amos, wife of TICO Conductor David Amos, mother of Ilana Amos and Adina and Do Gillett, grandmother of Zander and Piper Gillett, has died. The funeral was held Thursday, Feb. 20 at Greenwood Memorial Park, Tifereth Israel Synagogue reports.
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Christa Mandel, mother of Montgomery Mandel, has died. Christa served as Ner Tamid’s Administrative Director from 2018-2022. Funeral and Shiva details to follow, Ner Tamid Synagogue reports.
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Karen Rund has died. She is the mother of Brett and Jill Meltzer, Jodi and Doug Galen, David and Julie Meltzer, Rabbi Scott and Jennifer Meltzer of Ohr Shalom Synagogue, grandmother and great-grandmother of Samantha and Ryan Katz, Joshua Galen, Rachel Galen, Marissa Meltzer, Mia Meltzer, Marlena Meltzer, Miles Meltzer, Shayna Meltzer, Nadiv Meltzer, Maital Meltzer, Yael Meltzer, Hannah Meltzer, Sydney Meltzer, Justin Meltzer and Ella Katz, sister of Susie and Eli Meltzer and Jerry and Linda Goldberg. Karen was also the principal of the San Carlos campus of the San Diego Jewish Academy and a Judaica teacher at Temple Emanu-El. The funeral was held Friday, Feb. 21 at El Camino Memorial Park with Rabbi Ralph Dalin officiating with the assistance of Rabbi Martin Lawson, Rabbi/Cantor Jeremy Gimbel and Rabbi David Kornberg. Rabbi Scott Meltzer, along with his aunt, Susie Meltzer, uncle Jerry Goldberg, and siblings Jody, David and Brett all spoke, as did all of Karen’s grandchildren.
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Raphael Silverman, husband of Sandra Watson, father of Phillip and Dorit Silverman, Deborah and Maxwell Brookler, Barbara Friedman, and Linda Hirshleifer, has died. Silverman was a pillar of Beth Jacob Congregation, the SCY High community and San Diego Hebrew Day School. The funeral was held Friday, Feb. 21 at Home of Peace Cemetery.
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Sulamita Zacks has died. The funeral was held Wednesday, Feb. 19 at El Camino Memorial Park with Rabbi Ralph Dalin of Jewish Federation of San Diego as officiant, Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.