By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
December has arrived, and the end of 2025 is upon us. Some of my friends say that if they didn’t follow through with their Rosh Hashanah resolutions, they get a re-do on December 31st.
The weather and darkness at 5 p.m. are a bit gloomy, but I do enjoy seeing all the holiday lights on our street as I am driving home. We also participate in decorating with snowmen and snowflakes.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Ohr Shalom Synagogue presents its 2-Part Lecture Series “The Jews of Mexico With Elisheva Edelson” at 7 p.m., Thursdays, Dec. 4 and 11 on Zoom. Click here for the Zoom link and receive the password.
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Jewish Federation of San Diego’s Tapestry presents “Z3 @ SAN” at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6, at Congregation Beth El and at 9:30 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 7, at Lawrence Family JCC. This weekend event is an opportunity to come together, explore meaningful questions, and engage in deep conversations about Jewish identity, Israel, Zionism, and our shared future. Click here to register.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue announces its “San Diego Blood Bank Mobile” at 9:00 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 7. Blood donors will receive an exclusive “Yeti” t-shirt. Click here to schedule an appointment.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue’s Sisterhood announces its “Prepping Dough for your Sufganiyot” at 9:30 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 7. The event includes preparing the dough, which can be stored in the freezer until you are ready to fry them on Chanukah. Click here to rsvp.
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San Diego Center for Jewish Culture announces its “Building Jewish Community: Synagogue Architecture Tour” at 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. Joellyn Zollman will share Tifereth’s history, including its two previous locations, while shedding light on the profound impact this synagogue has had on San Diego’s Jewish community. Click here to register.
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Beth Jacob Congregation welcomes “The Traveling Chassidim” on Friday, Dec. 12, and Sunday, Dec. 14. The event includes Shabbos dinner, featuring a steak menu, live music, kids’ entertainment, and a lively Oneg. On Sunday, the event includes a Chinese food menu, latkes, donuts, live music, adult dreidel competition, talent show, kids’ craft, and games. Click here to rsvp.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Sisterhood and Men’s Club present “Come for the Latkes – Stay for the Laughter, Light, and Love Chanukah Party” at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17. This event includes candle lighting, traditional latkes and donuts dinner, Chanukah songs, gifts, dreidels, and gelt for all the children, Chanukah crafts sponsored by Sisterhood and Men’s Club, dreidel tournament, trivia, and prizes. Click here to rsvp.
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Seacrest Foundation announces its “2026 Women’s Auxiliary Golden Hearts Luncheon: A Celebration of Wisdom, Wellness, and Community” at 11 a.m., Sunday, March 1, at Alila Marea Beach Resort, Encinitas. The event will begin with a champagne reception, followed by a luncheon and program. All proceeds from the luncheon benefit the Resident Assistance Fund that helps ensure seniors receive housing, healthcare, and supportive services. Click here to register.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Chabad at La Costa, Chabad Encinitas, and Coastal Gan report an end-of-year campaign goal of $360,000 with an ending date of Wednesday, Dec. 31. Click here to donate.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Michael Kroopkin has died. The funeral and service were held Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Eternal Hills Memorial Park, Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Arlene Linsk, mother of Donna Linsk, Trudy (Paul) Love, and Sue (Bob) Bower, grandmother of Marissa Bower, has died. Funeral arrangements are pending, according to a member of her family.
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John Mayher, husband of Sue Ruskin-Mayher, step-father to Nicole (Rabbi Jason) Nevarez, Joanna Ruskin, and Christopher Willis, grandfather of Ethan, Mika, Sophie, and McKenzie, has died. A memorial service and celebration of life will take place on Friday, Dec. 5, in New York, Congregation Beth Israel reports.
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Harold Pidgeon, husband of Shirley Pidgeon, father of Brian (Hannah) Pidgeon, Mark (Hasty) Pidgeon, grandfather of Tiana (Alex) Fuller, Sam, Max, Paige, Larrizza, Livia, Daniel Wolf, Justin Mandel, and Alex Mandel, has died. The funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 3 at Lawrence S. Pidgeon Sanctuary at Temple Solel Synagogue. The burial service will be at 11 a.m., at El Camino Memorial Park, Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Boris Zyman, brother of Pepe Zyman, has died. The funeral will take place in Mexico, Ohr Shalom Synagogue reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.