By Cailin Acosta
LA MESA, California – May starts the month known as celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month. I am always surprised to learn there is someone I didn’t know was a Jewish American, or maybe I forgot.
Israeli American Council has put together a Jewish Heritage book which includes a collection of materials celebrating Jewish history, culture, and identity. This resource is perfect for families, educators, and anyone eager to deepen their connection to Jewish heritage. Click here to access the book.
May also is known as May Gray in the San Diego area. A presence of overcast skies blocks the morning sunrise. Sometimes the sun pops through for a short time. The clouds tend to roll back in in the afternoon to hide the sunset.
I enjoy the cooler temperatures since I know once summer hits, we are turning the air conditioner on, and my teens are looking for pools to jump in. I always keep a stack of beach towels in my trunk for the impromptu “cannonball” or a quick stop at the beach to jump waves in their clothes.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Beth Jacob Congregation announces its “Sunday Learning” at 8 a.m., Sunday, May 4. Grab a bagel with cream cheese, juice and coffee and learn for a few minutes.
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Temple Emanu-El announces its “Friday Shabbat Services” at 6 p.m., Friday, May 9. Following services an Oneg will be sponsored by Recovery International.
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Congregation B’nai Tikvah announces it will be celebrating Yom Ha’Atzmaut at 6 p.m., Friday, May 9 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Encinitas. Attendees are encouraged to wear blue and white and enjoy Israeli snacks while singing and hearing stories about Israel.
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Congregation Dor Hadash announces they are pleased to have its “Final Rabbi Candidate Weekend with Rabbi Mike Rothbaum” at 6:30 p.m., Friday, May 9. The evening will include Shabbat services, oneg and question and answer session with Rothbaum. At 9 a.m., Saturday, May 10, the morning includes Shabbat B’Yachad Kehillah gathering, question and answer session with Rothbaum, Torah study and light lunch. Click here to rsvp for the weekend events.
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The Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival announces its “16th Women of Valor” at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 5 at the Lawrence Family JCC and at 2 p.m., Sunday, June 8 at the Hive at Leichtag Commons. This event will include honoring six San Diego Jewish women through stories, songs, images and inspiration. It is written by Ali Viterbi, Sarah Price Keating, Rebecca Myers, and Todd Salovey, and directed by Todd Salovey. This year’s honorees are Tina Berenbaum, Becky Cherlin, Silvana Christie, Laurie Greenberg, Lori Kaye (z”l), and Rabbi Yael Ridberg. Click here for tickets to Thursday, June 5. Click here for tickets to Sunday, June 8.
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San Diego Hebrew Day School announces its “Israel Theme = The Best Camp Ever” at 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday, June 30 until Friday, August 1. The camp includes trips almost daily, kosher lunch and snacks. Click here for more information.
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SCY High School reports students built a rover as part of its entry into the TI Codes Contest. Two of the projects have been selected to move on to the final round of the Annual TI Codes contest. The community is asked to help with the voting portion of this contest. Click here and look for the two videos made by SCY High, click on each of those videos, and when the video pops up, click on the heart (it will become solid), then SHARE, organizers suggest.
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CHABAD CENTER HAPPENINGS
Encinitas invites the community to its “Lag Ba’omer BBQ” at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 15 at Moonlight Beach. The evening includes bbq, s’mores, sand toys and fun. Organizers encourage attendees to bring your own instrument and contribute to a warm and inviting atmosphere. Click here to rsvp.
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To view other events, previously listed in this column, please visit our San Diego Jewish Community Calendar page.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Congregation Dor Hadash reports Jewish Family Service Safe Parking Program is accepting clothes in good condition and that Pita and Pastilini has generously provided meals for 60 people. Click here to donate to keep this Mitzvah going and click here with any questions.
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San Diego Jewish Academy reports celebrating Israel Independence Day. Every student from kindergarten to 11th grade gathered on the athletic field and kicked off the schoolwide celebration. The morning ceremony included singing, a parade, school leader remarks and all-day activities. Throughout the day each class had special activities including a drum circle, art, pita making and more.
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Temple-Emanu-El reports its “Mitzvah of the Month” will be clothes for Mesa College Students. The Stand Basic Needs Resource Center on campus provides students with free clothing from their shop stocked with gently used professional clothing, including pants and slacks, blouses and dress shirts, skirts, dresses, suits, jackets and all kids of shoes, dressy and casual. In addition, they offer accessories, such as handbags, belts, new socks and underwear, and unopened toiletries, both travel size and full size. Donations can be brought in the white barrels in the lobby office. Click here for more information.
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Chabad at La Costa reports its Channah and Arthur Hale Jewish Educational Center Building project is progressing nicely. All demolition work is complete. The mechanical system is in the midst of being installed. The lines have been laid for it, and it is about 30% – 40% done. The framing is 95% complete and it has passed the city inspection. The plumbing has passed city inspection. The electrical has passed city inspection and once the drywall is complete the electrical sockets will be the next step in the completion.
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San Diego Hebrew Day reports both of its boys Elementary and Middle School basketball teams have earned the #2 seed in their respective playoff brackets. Under leadership of Coach Ray and the dedicated support of parent volunteer Matan Benshlush, the players showed incredible growth, grit, and team-work all season long.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Ingrid Cooperman, mother of Kathy and Johnny Chen, grandmother of Jacob, Daisy, Lily and Oliver, has died. Funeral and shiva will be held in Vermont, Congregation Dor Hadash reports.
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Tressa England, grandmother of Jasmine Housman, has died, Congregation Beth Am reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.