LA MESA, California – As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, it is important to take a few minutes for yourself. Many of us have children and professions that demand our attention and sometimes that “me time” gets pushed to the back seat.
During the Covid pandemic, I became a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT) and was able to complete the four-day workshop on Zoom. Before COVID, the workshops were in person at the Zentangle Headquarters in Maine — an expensive proposition. Being on Zoom saved me a lot of hassle and in some of the sessions, due to the time zones, I was in my pajamas drinking coffee.
One of the sessions I attended challenged us to make something beautiful from coffee or wine stains on a tile (tiles are square papers used to draw the patterns, and when put together, they make geometric shapes).
I taught a few Zentangle classes on Zoom to my fellow Tifereth Israel Synagogue congregants, and many enjoyed creating the patterns and learning a new art skill. I remind my students that if they come across an oops scenario, there is always a way to fix it. I like to call Zentangle a form of doodling. If you can hold a pencil and pen, then you are well on your way to creating something unique.
Bijou has partnered with Zentangle in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in its “One Tangle, One Tile, One Day at a Time: A 21-Day Zentangle Journey” that started on May 10 until May 30. Click here and you can view the videos on YouTube.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Holocaust Living History Workshop announces its final event of the 2024-2025 programmatic year “Schindler’s Listed: In Search of a Buried Past featuring Randi Biederman” at 5 p.m., Thursday, May 15 on Zoom. Biedermann will discuss her father in-law’s story of survival. Click here to register and receive Zoom link.
*
Ner Tamid Synagogue sponsors a Community Havdalah and Lag Ba’Omer Bonfire led by USY at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, May 17. Click here to register.
*
San Diego Hebrew Day School announces its Gala with Gratitude featuring a Conversation with Ambassador Ido Aharoni” at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, May 18 at the Julep Venue. The evening pays tribute to Rabbi and Mrs. Weiser’s impact on the San Diego Jewish Community; includes a discussion with Aharoni who is a visiting professor with the Murray Galinson San Diego-Israel Initiative; and features a gathering of Hebrew Day families, faculty, staff, and the greater San Diego Jewish Community, Culinary Creations by Chumie is the caterer. Click here to rsvp.
*
Congregation B’nai Tikvah invites the community to celebrate Shavu’ot at 6:30 p.m., Friday, May 30. More information will be coming soon.
*
Coastal Roots Farm is calling all nature explorers to Farm Camp. Summer Camp is designed for PreK- 5th grade nature lovers. Each week is full of hands-on farm adventures, singing, science experiments, art projects, chicken visits, and harvesting snacks straight from the soil. Click here to register, starting Monday, June 9 until Friday, August 15.
*
The Murray Galinson San Diego-Israel Initiative presents its Salon Event: Higher Education Under Fire: Professor Roundtable at 10 :30 a.m., Thursday, June 19. Dr. Nehama Lewis will share a personal account of her life in Israel during the war, and the ways in which Israeli researchers have persevered in the face of internal and external conflict. Click here to rsvp and to receive address in La Jolla.
*
Congregation Beth Am presents its “Summer Baby and Me” starting at 9:15 a.m., Fridays, July 25 until Friday, August 15. The event activities include, Shabbat celebration, music and movement, art and experiential learning, social playtime, and more. Click here to register.
*
CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
Chula Vista invites adults in the community to attend its Bagels, Lox and Torah brunch at 9:30 a.m., Sunday, May 18. The event includes a Kosher “BLT” – brunch and Torah discussion. Click here to rsvp.
*
Congregation Adat Yeshurun, Israeli American Council, and Lawrence Family JCC will partner for “Released Hostages Shasha Troufanov and Sapir Cohen: Their Story is Our Story” at 7 p.m., Monday, May 19. Troufanov survived 498 days in captivity and Cohen spent 55 days. Together they will share their story of resilience, courage, survival, and the transformative faith in G-d. Click here to register and to receive address.
*
AROUND THE COUNTY
Coastal Gan Preschool reports registration is open for Fall 2025. Click here if interested in a tour as spaces are filling up fast.
*
Beth Jacob Congregation reports the hiring of Brandon Fisher to lead Outreach and Community Engagement initiatives. Fisher will support efforts to expand visibility and engagement in the community and foster an environment where longstanding and new members feel welcomed and involved during this period of transition and growth.
*
Congregation Dor Hadash reports its online fundraising auction features items found in the synagogue storage shed. Click here to view the auction page and make bids.
*
Moishe House Pod introduces Zach Stern, Shira Stern and Avi Stern as passionate Zionists who love to bring people together and form community. Zach delights in hosting Shabbat dinners, Israel educational events, parties, and more.
*
San Diego Hebrew Day School reports its preschool has been busy counting the Omer with interactive calendars, and daily rituals that support number recognition, patterning, and sequence skills. The children mark each new day and watch the countdown to Shavuot.
*
San Diego Jewish Academy reports that long-time camp professional and Jewish song leader Craig Parks has joined Camp Carmel Creek. The “specialty camp with a classic camp feel” attracts hundreds of kids each summer, from preschoolers to 8th graders. Campers can choose their summer experience from four activity tracks: Athletics, Arts, Nature, and Tech.
*
Tifereth Israel Synagogue reports congregant Margalit Rosenthal gave birth to a baby girl named Liav Noa Rosenthal. Liav is the granddaughter of Judy and Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal (z”l) and the great-granddaughter of Nancy (z”l) and Herschel Feigelson. Liav is named for her Saba (grandfather) and her great grandmother, Nancy. Mazel Tov!
*
Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Torah School reports the hiring of Ariel Hirsch as its new Torah School and Youth Director. Hirsch is the wife of Rabbi Hanan Leberman.
*
Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.
Thank you, Cailin for always having a fairly comprehensive calendar and for writing on interesting subjects. Good job.