By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
Tikkun Olam, to repair and improve the world. As we all celebrated Thanksgiving.
We thank all those in our lives and also extend our gratitude to those we invite.
As I looked on Facebook, I was thrilled to see La Mesa neighbors posting they were gifting plates of Thanksgiving turkey.
I am vegan, but I thought it was so generous of neighbors to give to those who do not have a place to go or are struggling to make ends meet.
Chanukah comes next, and it is also a wonderful occasion for tikkun olam.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Congregation Beth Israel’s 20s and 30s Group announces its “Cozy Winter Meet-Up with Rabbi Elana Ackerman Hirsch” at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6. The event includes a winter holiday get-together, seasonal treats, and beverages. Organizers say, silly sweaters are optional. Click here to rsvp.
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Temple Emanu-El presents “Chanukah Happening” at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14. The event includes games, crafts, music, snow, food, and drinks available for purchase.
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Beth Jacob Congregation welcomes “The Traveling Chassidim” Friday, Dec. 12, until Sunday, Dec. 14. Click here for more information.
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Congregation Beth Israel’s Social Action Network announces it’s providing dinner to the residents of Rachel’s Women’s Center and Night Shelter at 4:15 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14. Join volunteers to help prepare dinner for 28-32 women experiencing homelessness. Click here to sign up and for more information.
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Beth Jacob Congregation announces its “Chanukah Dinner Party” at 6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14. The event includes live music with the Traveling Chassidim, Chinese dinner, latkes and donuts, dreidel competition, talent show, and kids’ activities. Click here to rsvp.
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Congregation Beth Israel invites the community to attend its “Chanukah Under the Stars” at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17, at Mission Valley Mall. The evening includes a menorah lighting, live entertainment by DJ Benji, crafts, donuts, and sweet treats dessert bar, and optional raffle prizes from Sea Hive Mini, Jerome’s Furniture, NOVO Brazil Brewing, and European Wax Center.
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Young Israel of San Diego presents its “Chanukah Party and Game Night” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17. The evening includes games, music, Chinese food, donuts, latkes, and a hot cocoa bar. Click here to rsvp.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Men’s Club and Sisterhood sponsor the “Come for the Latkes – Stay for the Laughter, Light, and Love Chanukah Party” at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17, at TIS Social Hall. The event will include candle lighting, dreidel tournament, gelt, trivia, prizes, latkes, vegetable soup, salads, and donuts. Click here to rsvp.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENING
East County announces its “BLT: Bagels, Lox and Tefillin” at 8 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 30. Men are encouraged to join this davening and tefillin, which will be followed by Isaac Andrusier ‘s maamar (profound sermon by a rebbe) recitation and breakfast. Click here to rsvp.
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Downtown announces its “Rabbi and Retirees” at noon, Wednesday, Dec. 3. This event includes food, conversation, and wisdom. Click here to rsvp.
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Carmel Valley presents its “Life After Life: Consciousness, Spirituality, Near Death Experiences: With Nomi Freeman” at 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7. Freeman will lead this discussion on what happens to your consciousness once it leaves your body, what is a near-death experience, and what is the experience like from the inside. Click here to rsvp.
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East County’s Jewish Women’s Circle presents “The Heroines of Chanukah: Torah and Tea” at noon, Thursday, Dec. 11. Women are invited to have tea and listen to a lesson by Rebbetzin Chaya Andrusier. Click here to rsvp.
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Chula Vista invites the community to attend its “Chanukah Celebration” at 4:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14 at Otay Ranch Town Center. The event includes a giant menorah lighting, latkes and donuts, hot cocoa and s’mores, a magic show, crafts, and live music. Click here to rsvp.
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Downtown invites the community to attend its “Chanukah Festival at Liberty Station” at 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14. The event includes ice skating, donuts, live entertainment/music, and crafts. Click here to rsvp.
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Carmel Valley invites the community to attend its “Chanukah at One Paseo” at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 16. The evening includes a menorah lighting, Chanukah s’mores, donuts, live music, face painting, and crafts for kids. Click here to rsvp.
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Other pending events, previously reported in this column, may be found in our Jewish community calendar.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
House of Israel reports it needs volunteers to help at the “Balboa Park December Nights: Festival of Lights” event on Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6. Organizers say this is the only house in the entire park showcasing and celebrating Chanukah, and very few volunteer spots are filled. Volunteers would help serve latkes, donuts, and help with Chanukah activities. Click here to volunteer.
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Coastal Roots Farm reports its “Pay-What-You-Can” farm stand nourishes more than 45,000 children, seniors, and families each year. Click here to give the gift of nourishment.
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The Butterfly Project reports that every donation for “Giving Tuesday” will ensure more students have access to the important lessons from the Holocaust. Click here to donate.
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OBITUARY NOTICE
Richard Ugoretz has died. He was the husband of Frances Morris Ugoretz, father of Joe (Beth), the late Scott, Craig, and John (Kate), grandfather of Julie, Sadie, Casey, Hattie, Mischa, and Maggie, Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World