LA MESA, California – As Rosh Hashanah approaches, images of pomegranates can be seen or identified everywhere.
Here are nine facts about pomegranates: 1. The pomegranate is one of Israel’s “Seven Species”, which include wheat, barley, grapes, figs, olives, and dates. 2. Pomegranates traditionally symbolize fertility and love. 3. Pomegranates decorate many Torah scrolls. 4. Pomegranates are part of the Sephardic Rosh Hashanah Seders. 5. A pomegranate is often the “new fruit” on the second night of Rosh Hashanah. 6. Pomegranate seeds are associated with the 613 Mitzvot (Commandments). 7. Pomegranates continue to grow in Israel. 8. Pomegranates are frequently mentioned in Jewish texts. And 9. Pomegranates are found on ancient Judean coins.
As I am keeping an eye on a neighbor’s pomegranate tree, I wonder each year if they will be ripe and ready before Rosh Hashanah. For many years, we picked buckets full, and for a few years, it’s been just a couple. Every year, I leave a note in their mailbox asking when or if my kids can come and pick from their trees. I always sign the note, from your friendly neighborhood Jew. Giggle.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Young Israel of San Diego’s Women’s Group presents “Shaping Sweetness: Rosh Hashana Edition with Kelilah Federman” at 6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 14. This event includes Federman teaching a Rosh Hashana dessert. Click here to register.
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Congregation Beth Israel announces its “From my Table to Yours: Rosh Hashanah Recipes with Debbie Kornberg” at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 17. Kornberg will be demonstrating, and participants will be tasting tangine and butternut squash in a tomato ragout, pomegranate and mint baked salmon, and Baharat spiced couscous with toasted almonds. Participants will be able to create their own signature spice blend to take home. Click here to register.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue’s Sisterhood announces its “Challah Prep for Rosh Hashanah” at 9:30 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 21. The event includes making a round challah for Rosh Hashanah and preparing the dough and shape, the final rise and bake at the participant’s home. Click here to rsvp.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue’s Gourmet Group will meet Sunday, Sept. 28, at Poppaea Vineyard and Winery in Ramona. Details are still being finalized.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue’s Shul School and Family Jam announces its “Autumn Jubilee” at 12 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 5, at Fort Cross in Julian. This event is for families with children ages 0-18. Families will meet at Fort Cross and explore Julian at the beginning of the fall. Click here to purchase tickets.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue’s She Force presents “Cookies and Cocktails Party” at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 7, location to be determined. The event includes swapping cookies, sipping cocktails, telling a story behind the cookies, and connecting. More details to follow.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
Downtown’s Jewish Women’s Circle presents August and September Birthday Event” at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 7, at Boker Kitchen. The event includes celebrating the birthdays of Sara Goldman, Inbar Shavit, and Diane Gordon. Click here to rsvp.
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Carmel Valley announces its Tashlich service will be at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the Palacio del Mar bike trail.
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To view other events previously listed in this column, please visit ourSan Diego Jewish Community Calendar page.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Chabad of Poway’s Jewish Day Camps 2025-2026 school year registration is open. After-school program for children, kindergarten through 6th grade, will meet at 4:30 p.m. on Mondays at North County Mall. Click here to register. Bar/Bat Mitzvah Club for children ages 11 to 13, will meet at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays starting in January at a private residence. Click here to register. CTeen and CTeen Jr for children in grades 6th through 10th, will meet at 4:30 p.m., on Sundays at a private residence. Click here to register.
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Congregation Beth Israel’s Cindy’s College Crew reports it is looking forward to wishing college students/military family members a Shanah Tovah. Click here to submit an address no later than Monday, Sept. 15, to have a care package sent. No mail overseas.
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Congregation Beth Am reports to its congregants to order your lulav and etrog for Sukkot by Thursday, Sept. 11. This fundraiser supports the youth department. Click here to order.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue reports its Community Food Drive will be collecting donations for Jewish Family Service during the High Holy Days. Suggested donation items include whole wheat pasta and crackers, oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa, dehydrated mashed potatoes, canned tuna or chicken, non-hydrogenated nut butters, low-sodium beans, fruit in juice (not syrup), corn, low-sodium canned vegetables, low-sodium soups, and kosher items. Collections are currently being accepted in the office.
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Chabad at Carmel Valley reports its Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services will be held in different locations, and members will be given priority and free seats for the High Holidays. Click here to renew your membership, or click here to become a member.
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Temple Emanu-El reports its Mitzvah of the Month will be collecting non-perishable food to be donated to the Jewish Family Service Hand Up Food Pantry. Grocery bags will be given out following Rosh Hashanah services. Bring donations to any Yom Kippur service or leave them in the lobby building. Collection items include canned food, including tuna, chicken, soups, fruit, vegetables, beans, peanut butter, and high-protein items. Other items include pasta, rice, oatmeal, breakfast cereal, cake mixes, and dehydrated mashed potatoes.
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OBITUARY NOTICE
Susan Franfel, wife of Richard Frankel, mother of Jeffrey (Rachel), Matthew, and Andrew, grandmother of Isaiah and Sofia, has died. The funeral will be held in Los Angeles, Tifereth Israel Synagogue reports.
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Bill Goldschnieder, husband of Sharon Goldschnieder, father of Rachel (Daniel) Kanter, and grandfather of Ethan, has died. The family will be mourning privately and ask for privacy at this time, Tifereth Israel Synagogue reports.
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Julian Josephson has died. The funeral and internment were held at 2:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5, at El Camino Memorial Park with Rabbi Ron Shulman as officiant and Rabbi Avi Libman as co-officiant of Congregation Beth El, Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.
Thank you, Fred. Words cannot describe the love of art we both shared; he was amazing. I would be at an event at Tifereth, and we would sit down talking, laughing, showing our art, and hugging and talking about what we would watch more videos of. He was amazing, still will be amazing.
From Fred Kropveld: The news about Bill saddens me. I met him this past year. We connected like we knew each other for many years. I was thoroughly impressed by his gentle nature and creativity. He invited me into his home to view his amazing works of art. He wanted his collection to be donated intact and I assisted him. I was hoping to have more time with him, but I knew he was in extreme pain. That didn’t stop him from participating in TIS men’s club functions. He wanted to be part of life to the very end. We will all miss you, and see you in heaven soon.
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From Don Chafetz: Thursday Gwyn and I stopped to see Bill after our meeting with the ladies. He was in good spirits and we had a delight conversation about he his life and many adventures in the military and with the postal service. We talked about his folded Book projects and his ambition mount Washington wood display of the presidents. He was always considering his next project.
I very much enjoyed taking with him when we meet with the ladies on Thursday.
His house is filled with his many folded books and wood projects. It was always a thrill to be able to see them each and talk about them. Bill you will always be remembered and missed. I am glad to have known you.
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From Bill Sperling: I also feel very badly over the loss of a wonderful man, a very creative man, and an extremely warm, good hearted. giving soul. Bill was a courageous person; he fought the good fight. Life to him was precious, and his desire to connect to others always obvious. I know he was very devoted to family. He embraced his connection with Tifereth Israel, and as noted was there as often as he could. Personally, I felt a special closeness to Bill, as he had been friends with my Father, many years ago! I have a couple of pieces of his wood craft and saw his work on display at the San Diego County Fair, where he won multiple blue ribbons! I will very much miss the pleasure of being in his company, and my condolences go out to the family. Rest in peace, my friend. May your memory be a blessing.