LA MESA, California – In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I was curious to find out about Hispanic Jewish history. Some Spanish Jews forced to convert by Inquisition authorities are believed to have served in the crew of Christopher Columbus.
Since we are so close to Mexico, I narrowed down my search. Mexico has had a Jewish population since the early Colonial Era. Many individuals could not openly worship as they would be persecuted for practicing Judaism. Mexico eventually adopted freedom of religion and began receiving Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazis.
In Mexico City, a 2010 census documented 67,476 practicing Judaism (wikipedia.com). Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum comes from a Jewish family. Her father is Ashkenazic and her mother is Sephardic.
I spent a summer in graduate school studying abroad in Mexico City and found some synagogues amongst the many churches. I really enjoyed how everyone accepted each other and how welcoming they were to invite a starving student over for Shabbat dinner. I would leave full and encouraged to take food home for the rest of the week.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Beth Jacob Congregation presents “Noah’s Ark Petting Zoo” at 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 19. The event will include meeting animals, food available for purchase from Moishe’s BBQ Grill, and Hebrew Day sweet treats for purchase.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue announces its “Challah Making” at 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6. This event is for youth 10 years and older and adults; youth must be accompanied by an adult. Learn to make one large challah or two small challot and take them home to bake at home. Click here to rsvp.
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Congregation Beth Israel announces its “Shira Chadasha Erev Shabbat Services” at 8:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 7. The evening includes music and prayer in an intimate and informal service open to all and followed by an Oneg.
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Young Israel of San Diego announces its “Women’s Seudat Shlishit” on Saturday, Nov. 8. More details to come.
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Lawrence Family JCC presents its “L’dor V’dor: 25th Year of Shalom Baby Anniversary” at 10:15 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 14. The event includes a reunion of Shalom Baby and a fundraiser brunch as part of the Hanukkah Happening festivities occurring that weekend. Organizers say babies and grandparents are encouraged to attend, and Sesame Street characters will be in attendance. Click here to register.
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CHABAD HAPPENINGS
East County announces its “Bagels, Lox, and Tefillin Breakfast” at 8 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 19. Jewish men and boys over the age of Bar Mitzvah are invited to wrap Tefillin and enjoy breakfast with great company. Click here to rsvp.
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Coastal Women’s Society announces its “Rosh Chodesh Circle” on Wednesday, Oct. 22, in Encinitas. The evening will welcome the new month of Cheshvan with a time of reflection, renewal, and quiet spiritual growth. Light refreshments, soulful conversation, and a relaxing watercolor art activity. Click here to rsvp, receive the address, and the time.
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East County’s Jewish Women’s Circle presents its “Torah and Tea: From Chaos to Calm: Finding Peace in the Ark” at noon, Thursday, Oct. 23. Women are invited to find peace and inspiration over tea and Torah. Click here to rsvp.
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University City’s Jewish Women’s Circle announces its “Ladies Challah Bake” at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23. Women are invited to unite, create, pray, and enjoy an evening of friendship and growth. Click here to rsvp.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Heritage Auctions’ Fall Sports Auction reports that Sandy Koufax’s game-worn and signed 1966 Los Angeles Dodgers jersey is currently bidding at $360,000. The flannel jersey represents not just the end of Koufax’s remarkable pitching career, but a chapter in Jewish-American sports history. His dominance on the mound, integrity off the field, and decision to sit out Game 1 of the 1965 World Series in observance of Yom Kippur have made him an icon well beyond baseball.
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Beth Jacob Congregation celebrates the return of the Israeli hostages and invites the community to attend in November its “Hodu” month. There will be special events each week, starting with an Israel-themed kiddush and culminating in a Friday night Thanksgiving Dinner. More information to follow.
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Young Israel of San Diego reports ways to use your etrog when Sukkot is over. Make your own besamim for Havdalah by poking cloves into the peel for a sweet, citrusy scent, or try candied etrog, etrog jam, or even a homemade etrog liqueur. Keep the sweetness of the chagim going just a little bit longer.
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Young Israel of San Diego shared the following recipe: Baklava-Inspired Churro Twists.
Ingredients:
2 sheets puff pastry 17.5-ounce package
¼ cup salted pecans
1/3 cup salted pistachios
½ cup sugar
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
Zest of one orange or lemon
¼ cup olive oil
Silan or honey for drizzling – optional
Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment. Roll each puff pastry sheet between parchment paper into a 12-inch square, cut into 12 strips, and keep cold between steps. Pulse pecans and pistachios (or chop) and mix with sugar, cinnamon, orange zest, and salt. Brush pastry strips with olive oil, coat in nut mixture, twist 4-6 times, and place on trays. Bake 12-15 minutes until golden, then drizzle warm twists with honey or silan.
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Chabad at La Costa’s Channah and Arthur Hale Jewish Learning Center Building reports its walk-in coolers have been assembled. Powering up the coolers hasn’t happened yet. The door installation is continuing. The bathroom accessories installation has begun. The library books will be moved downstairs over the next couple of weeks, and the Rabbi’s office will be moved downstairs in the next couple of weeks.
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OBITUARY NOTICE
Justino Gamino, father of Rene Beiza, grandfather of Rene Jr, and Estefanie, has died. His funeral will take place in Mexico, Ohr Shalom Synagogue reports.
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Philip Lorang, husband of the late Ellen Lorang, father of David (Natalia), Noah (Sarah), Janet, and Amy, has died while on vacation in Hawaii. Further details will be shared once they are known. Tifereth Israel congregants and friends will gather at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, at the synagogue to honor Lorang’s memory. In recognition of Lorang’s spirit of giving, attendees are encouraged to donate blood and to bring non-perishable food items to support the congregation’s Dignity Drive.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.