LA MESA, California – Red string bracelets have been worn to protect against the evil eye and keep bad luck away. Madonna made these bracelets popular, and they were being sold at the Kabbalah Centre.
Some people believe that if you wear one on your left wrist and it falls off naturally, then a single woman will be getting married soon.
Many women have purchased these bracelets in hopes of getting pregnant, as they are believed to increase fertility. Some women wear a red string around their waists for fertility or protection from the evil eye when pregnant. Some men might keep red threads in their wallets to protect them.
Whatever your thoughts are on the red string bracelets, I find it fascinating that across many cultures, the symbolism is to protect against bad luck.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Young Israel of San Diego announces its “Ta’am Dagan (or Eating Like a Mensch” series starting at 8 p.m., Thursday, August 21. These sessions will focus on Halachot and Hashkafot related to food in the weekly Parsha. Click here for the Zoom link.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue announces its “Simcha Shabbat” at 6:15 p.m., Friday, August 22. The service will include a monthly gathering of children up to 18 years old who will be called to the bimah for a special blessing during their birthday month. In addition, other simchas within the congregational family of anniversaries, adult birthdays, and graduations will also be recognized. Click here for more details.
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Hillel San Diego announces its “Hillel Business Initiative (HBI)” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 3, at Melvin Garb Hillel Center. The event will include panel discussions with Simon Casuto of Safire Partners, Jeff Gleiberman of MG Properties, and Andrew Gottlieb of No Typical Moments. Organizers say heavy appetizers and mocktails are provided, and to bring your business cards for networking. Click here to register.
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Temple Emanu-El announces its “Back to School: S’mores Shabbat” at 5 p.m., Friday, September 5. The event includes dinner, services, and s’mores. Click here to rsvp.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue presents its “Giant Matchbox Mosaic Tile Art with Syvia Rubin” at noon, Sunday, September 7. Rubin will lead this session to bring a little flair to your Shabbat and High Holidays. All materials will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring old earrings and charms to add to their project. 16 years and older are invited to attend, bring cash or Venmo to the event. Click here to rsvp.
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RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust’s Speaker Series presents “A Holocaust Survivor’s Story: An Evening with Gerald Szames” at 6 p.m., Tuesday, September 9, at the La Jolla Riford Library. Szames will be interviewed rather than just telling his story about his personal experiences during the Holocaust.
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Congregation Beth Am and the Lawrence Family JCC present “Shuk to the Core: Israeli Vendor Fair” at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, September 11, at Congregation Beth Am and 11 a.m., Sunday, September 14, at Lawrence Family JCC. These events support artists and vendors from across Israel who have been impacted by the war. Items at the Shuk include Judaica, handmade jewelry, skincare and cosmetics, artwork, and home décor.
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The San Diego Center for Jewish Culture presents “Violinist Asi Matathias” at 7 p.m., Thursday, September 11, at the Lawrence Family JCC. Matathias is hailed as one of his generation’s top talents and has performed at Carnegie Hall, Berlin Philharmonic, and Canada’s National Arts Center. Click here for tickets.
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Jewish Family Service announces its “Rosh Hashanah: Community Challah Bake” at 9 a.m., Sunday, September 14. Participants will help reach its goal of making 360-degree challots for Holocaust Survivors and individuals and families experiencing hunger. Click here to sign up.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue announces its “JAMeets Book Club” at 6 p.m., Tuesday, September 16, at Knotty Barrel. The September selection, The Two Family House by Lynda Cohen Loigman, will be discussed.
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Congregation Beth Israel presents “From My Table to Yours: Rosh Hashanah Recipes with Debbie Kornberg” at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 17. Kornberg will be demonstrating, and participants will get to sample butternut squash in a tomato ragout; pomegranate and mint-baked salmon; and Baharat spiced couscous with toasted almonds. Participants will also get to create their signature spice blend to take home. Click here to register.
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Jewish Career Network, powered by Hillel and American Jewish Medical Association (AJMA), presents “Heading to Med School” at 4 p.m., Thursday, September 18. This webinar will cover the med school application process, what it’s really like in med school, and tips for securing that first internship or residency. Click here to register.
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Coastal Roots Farm announces its “13th Annual Sukkot Harvest Festival” at noon, Sunday, October 12. The event will include live music, local food, workshops, and hands-on activities for all ages. Click here to register.
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HAPPENINGS AT CHABAD CENTERS
East County announces its “Grand Opening and Upshernish” at 11 a.m., Sunday, September 7. This event will be a ribbon-cutting for the new Chabad East County location, followed by the cutting of the hair of Leibel Andrusier, who will be turning three years old. Click here to rsvp.
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Chula Vista’s Jewish Women’s Circle announces its “Challah Bake” at 7 p.m., Thursday, September 11. This event is for Jewish women in the community to make challah from scratch and pray for blessings for the coming new year. 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.
AROUND THE COUNTY
Jewish Federation of San Diego and Entwine report travel applications to Argentina will close on Wednesday, August 20. Applicants will complete a brief interview process after submitting the application, which is designed to help us get to know each other better. Click here to apply.
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Chabad at La Costa’s Chanah and Arthur Hale Jewish Educational Center reports the tile for the bathrooms and janitorial closet is scheduled to arrive this week, and installation is scheduled to begin next week. The other flooring is scheduled to arrive in two weeks. The installation of the lighting has been happening all week, and the electrician has been there all week making some improvements and adjustments. The lights are on in some areas!
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Chabad at Carmel Valley reports registration is open for Hebrew School starting at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays. Click here to register.
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San Diego Jewish Experience reports it reached its campaign goal of $200, 888. Mazel Tov!
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Lilian Bendah, wife of Joseph Bendah, mother of Rachel (Salomon) Lipowsky, Morris (Shula) Bendah, Pnina Olsher, Joshua Bendah, David Bendah, and Golda Bendah, has died. The funeral will be at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 19, at Home of Peace, Ohr Shalom Synagogue reports.
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Moselio Schaechter, ex-husband of Barbara Ruth Thompson, father of Judith Anita and John Nathaniel, husband of Edith Koppel, stepfather of Tom Koppel, Jeanny Koppel Davidow, and Steven Koppel, has died. The funeral and internment were Sunday, August 17, at El Camino Memorial Park with Rabbi/Cantor Arlene Bernstein of Congregation Beth Israel as officiant, Congregation Beth Israel and Am Israel Mortuary report.
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Solon Shaw, father of Karen Shaw and father-in-law of Gerry Weitz, has died. The funeral was held on Monday, August 18, in Del Ray Beach, Florida, Ner Tamid Synagogue reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.