LA MESA, California – As my friends finish up the last of their cheesecake from Shavuot, many ask what’s next. I said Tisha B’Av. This is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar as it marks the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. This event takes place on Saturday, August 2, and continues through Sunday, August 3.
Since Shavuot is over, finish up that cheesecake before it goes bad, get a haircut/trim, and embrace the upcoming summer months. Here in San Diego, the “June Gloom” is in full force. I do not think I have seen my shadow, meaning no peek-a-boo from the sun in a few days. I don’t mind since I know the heat and blaze of the sun will hit us soon, so I am thankful to keep my windows and doors open welcoming the cool breeze as I know many in the Midwest and beyond are hunkering down with humidity, thunderstorms/hailstorms. They are blasting the air conditioning.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
San Diego Hebrew Day School Mama Serenity presents “Vision and Sound: An Experience for Moms” at 7:30 p.m., Monday, June 9. Mothers are invited to release, realign, and receive through guided meditation, vision board creation, sound bath and reset /recenter for summer. Click here to register.
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Torah High School presents its performance of “Newsies Jr.” at 7 p.m., Sunday, June 15 at the Lawrence Family JCC. This event is for women only. Click here for tickets.
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Congregation Beth Israel presents “Tuesdays in the Park with Kathryn the Grape” at 5 p.m., Tuesday, June 17. The event includes entertainment and dessert. Organizers say to bring a picnic dinner and a blanket.
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Congregation Beth Israel’s Men’s Club announces its “Kinnor: The Harp of King David” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 18. Dr. Charles Jirkovsky‘s lecture will focus on understanding the kinnor’s biblical identity, musical function, and why it should be called by its proper name: the kinnor. Click here to register.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue presents its “Beach Clean-up and Shabbat at the Bay” at 4 p.m., Friday, June 20, at Playa Pacifica in Mission Bay. The event includes a pre-Shabbat beach clean-up and then a Shabbat-at-the-Bay service.
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Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra features its 51st Anniversary Season at 3 p.m., Sunday, June 22 at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. The event will include pieces from George E. Scott’s “Anne Frank, Portrait of a Young Girl” with the Imperial Valley Master Chorale. Click here for more information.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Sisterhood announces its “Sisterhood Installation and Fiesta Dinner” at 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 25. The event includes installing the new board members and honoring the members who are leaving. Also, a Mexican-style buffet and beverages. Click here to register.
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The San Diego Center for Jewish Culture presents “Daniel Silva: New York Times Bestselling Author of An Inside Job” at 7 p.m., Monday, July 21 at the Lawrence Family JCC. Silva will discuss his new thriller and share insight into the inspiration and intrigue behind the novel. Click here to register.
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CHABAD CENTER HAPPENINGS
Chabad of Chula Vista presents its “Bagels, Lox and Torah” at 9:30 a.m., Sunday, June 22. This event includes a Kosher “BLT” – brunch and Torah discussion class for adults. Click here to register.
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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
The Hillcrest Business Association reports District Attorney Summer Stephan and members of the Hillcrest community hosted a news conference Thursday, June 5 to discuss the successful hate crime prosecution of those who vandalized Hillcrest businesses, murals, and more than a dozen trash cans last fall with hateful, anti-LGBTQ+ and antisemitic graffiti. It was announced that restitution paid by the defendants will be used to establish a Community Restoration Fund to support ongoing volunteer clean-up events in the Hillcrest neighborhood.
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Congregation Dor Hadash reports that every single family was included in the Everyone Counts campaign. Families who were not able to donate this year, another family stepped in and gave on their behalf which contributed to the success of the campaign.
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San Diego Hebrew Day School reports its 8th grade graduation ceremony was a beautiful and heartfelt event. It honored the hard work and achievements of the students. Each graduate shared their unique experiences at Hebrew Day, reflecting on friendships, challenges, and growth they have encountered along the way. The ceremony also featured the presentation of 8 annual awards, recognizing excellence in academics, achievement, leadership, and character development. Each award was introduced with a tribute to the values and integrity of the individuals who inspired them, highlighting the important lessons they have imparted to the students. Mazel Tov to the graduates on this significant achievement.
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SCY High reports its students and alumni welcomed potential incoming freshmen at the Hebrew Day School graduation. Three generations of SCY High brothers – alumnus, Gavriel Factor, current student, Adin Factor, and future student, Simon Factor – as well as current student, Nosson Breskin, and his brother and future SCY High student, Asher Breskin, and their cousin and future SCY High student, Ari Ferry. The brothers are not biologically related but were excited to welcome future classmates in the fall.
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Congregation Beth El reports congregants Gila Cohen and Noah Ben-Aderet and big brother Eitan welcomed the birth of Goli Remer Ben-Aderet, born on Saturday, May 3. Mazel Tov! Congregants Nathan and Molly Adelman and big sister Mae Beverly welcomed the birth of Evan Rey Adelman, born on Thursday, May 15. Mazel Tov!
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Beth Jacob Congregation reports San Diego Hebrew Day School 8th-grade graduates, Asher Breskin, Maya Caplan, Ari Ferry, Adina Snyder, Nava Weiser, and Gaia Zanant will be heading to Israel this summer. Mazal Tov!
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Temple Emanu-El reports its Mitzvah of the Month will be taking collections of eyeglasses and hearing aids. These items will be donated to the Lions Optometric Vision Clinic where they will be refurbished for San Diegans in need. White barrels will be in the lobby. Click here for more information.
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Chabad of University City reports its “Building the Future Together” philanthropy campaign has started and will end at 9 p.m., Wednesday, June 11. The goal is to raise $120,000 in 4 days. The campaign will fuel new programs, deeper learning, and a stronger community. Click here to donate.
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Chabad of Carmel Valley shares the following story of inspiration: “Yesterday was the Yortzait of my sister Reizi z”l. Once, on one of those few days Reizi (10 years old) was strong enough to attend school, she showed up in her colored clothes and matching kerchief. A kid made fun of her wearing the head cover. Reizi noticed her teacher’s face, emotions mounting, and that she was about to respond. Reizi positioned herself in front of her teacher, arms spread wide to protect her classmate. Looking up at the teacher, gently, with compassion, she said “Leave him, he doesn’t understand “. Suggested takeaway: refrain from emotionally reacting, once, in honor of my sister Raizel Bat haRav Shmuel Hacohen z”l.”
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OBITUARY NOTICE
Muriel Kopol, mother of Shelly Kopol, Dona Kopol Bonick, and Diane Butler, grandmother of Danielle Zeghbib, Eric Gall, Dylan Bonick, Max Bonick, Heather Butler, and Sean Butler, great-grandmother of Collin Gall, Quinnie Bonick, and Fiona Bonick, has died. The funeral took place at 11 a.m., Friday, June 6 at El Camino Memorial Cemetery. Donations in Kopol’s honor can be made at the San Diego Humane Society, Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.