By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
Oh Chanukah, oh Chanukah… ready or not, it’s on its way!
Friends who aren’t Jewish often tell me how fascinating it is that Chanukah’s eight nights shift each year, while their own holiday celebrations remain tied to December 25.
On a personal note: Freckles, my beloved angora-mix rabbit, turned 7 on December 4 — the equivalent of 57 in “rabbit years.” My super-cool 13-year-old twins proudly tell everyone that Freckles is a Jewish rabbit. While certainly not kosher, she was blessed in 2019 by then-Rabbi Josh Dorsch of Tifereth Israel Synagogue. The twins even decorated her pen with Star of David emblems, which still hang there today. Mazel Tov, Freckles — may you live to 120!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Congregation Beth Am’s Jewish Women’s Circle announces its “Pre-Hanukkah Party” at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 10. The event will include food, drinks, latkes, along with potluck appetizers and desserts. Click here to rsvp and to receive the address.
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Women of Congregation Beth Israel presents “Latkes and Vodka” at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 11. Women are invited to celebrate Chanukah with a latke bar, sweet treats, and signature cocktails. Click here to register.
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Congregation Beth El announces its “Shabbat Dinner: What Chanukah Once Was – What Chanukah Needs to be” at 6:15 p.m., Friday, Dec. 12. The event will include Kabbalat Shabbat service, community dinner, and a discussion by Rabbi Ron Shulman on the discovery of Chanukah’s history and look towards the future. Click here to register.
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Temple Emanu-El presents its “Hanukkah Happening” at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14. The event includes games, crafts, music, snow, and a special presentation by the musical theatre class. Food and drinks are available for purchase.
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Congregation Beth Am announces its Latke Fest at 6:15 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17. The event will include latkes and a light dinner, plus activities for all ages to enjoy. Organizers say to bring your hanukkiah and light the 4th night of Hanukkah together as a community.
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Young Israel of San Diego announces its “Chanukah Party and Game Night” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17. The event will include games, music, Chinese food, donuts, latkes, and a hot cocoa bar. Click here to rsvp.
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Temple Emanu-El’s Sisterhood presents its “Chanukah Bingo Potluck” at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 18. The event includes latkes and fixings, drinks, donuts, and prizes. Organizers say to bring a dish to share and $20 wrapped gift for the gift exchange. Last names beginning with A-K: veggies or salad, last names beginning with L-Z: main course. Click here to rsvp.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue presents its “Chanukah Pajama Party” at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 21. The event includes latkes, donuts, and singing Chanukah songs. Organizers say to wear your best Chanukah jammies or comfy Chanukah gear, and there will be many activities at the party for creating items for Jewish Family Service and Kindness Initiative constituents. Click here to rsvp by Monday, Dec. 15.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
La Costa announces its “Chanukah Gift Drive” at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 9. Organizers say to purchase a gift from the special needs community wish list, and they will provide the wrapping supplies, cards, and dinner. Click here to rsvp and to receive the wish list.
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East County’s Jewish Women’s Circle presents its “Torah and Tea” at noon, Thursday, Dec. 11. Women are invited to a discussion about the heroines of Chanukah while enjoying a warm cup of tea. Click here to rsvp.
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Encinitas announces its “Chanukah Block Party” at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14, at Adelaide Circle, Encinitas. The event includes menorah lighting, music, food, crafts, airbrush face painting, a balloon artist, and games.
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East County presents its “Cirque du Chanukah and Menorah Lighting” at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14. The event includes donuts, latkes, a live circus show, crafts, and more. Click here to rsvp.
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University City announces its “Menorah Lighting at UTC Mall” at 6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14. The event includes amagician, hands-on arts and crafts, donuts, music, and menorah lighting. Click here to rsvp.
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Poway presents its “Chanukah Public Menorah Lighting at the Mall” at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Mershops North County Mall – First Floor Main Entrance. The event includes kid crafts, latkes, donuts, music, and more.
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University City presents “Chanukah Story Time” at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17, at North University Community Library. This event is for children ages 0-5 years old includes a children’s book reading all about Chanukah, complete with sweet treats and holiday surprises.
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Carlsbad announces its “Chanukah at the Forum” at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17, at The Forum Carlsbad. The event includes menorah lighting, latkes, donuts, crafts, and more.
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University City’s Men’s Club presents “Chanukah Men’s Night” at 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 18. Men are invited to attend an evening of smoked brisket, latkes, and l’chaim beverages. Click here to rsvp.
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University City presents its “Chanukah Pajama Party” at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 20. Organizers say to come in your comfiest PJs for a cozy family movie night, with popcorn, snacks, and a feel-good Chanukah film that celebrates miracles, light, and togetherness. Click here to rsvp.
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Coastal announces its “Group Menorah Lighting” at 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 21, at Chabad at La Costa. Organizers say to bring your menorahs from home and share in the community lighting.
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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
Chabad at La Costa’s Hannah and Arthur Hale Jewish Learning Center Building reports that its walk-in coolers have been assembled. Shelving installed. Doors have been hung and are being painted. Baseboards are going in. Bathroom accessories installation has begun. The kitchenette countertop and sink have been installed. Laundry room sink installed. Library books have all been brought down. Rabbi’s office will be moved downstairs in the next couple/few weeks. Flooring installation has begun and is mostly done (some can’t be completed until after the elevator installation). Ceiling tiles waiting for elevator installation. Tile installation has been completed. Elevator Stucco work was lathed. The installation of the lighting has been completed. Installation of our custom cabinets & library shelving is completed. The prep work for the elevator is done, with the elevator scheduled to be delivered and installed beginning December 16th. After the elevator is installed and a couple of other projects are completed, we will be ready to have our final inspection by the City and be granted our Occupancy Permit.
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Coastal Roots Farm reports it will continue its Year-End Appeal due to the major changes to SNAP (Supplemental Needs Assistance Program), which will affect the unhoused, veterans, and youth aging out of foster care. Click here to support the need.
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Coastal Gan Preschool reports its students explored pumpkins inside and out, counted seeds, and even planted some to spark conversations about how things grow. Teachers began talking about Chanukah, the festival of lights, and practiced fine motor skills by placing candles into the menorah holes.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue reports it will be providing Chanukah bags with items to help you get or give some creative cozy memories. Bags will include a Jewish star mandala coloring book with colored pencil set, diamond art coaster kit, hand-crafted artisan bowl made by congregant Alex van Frank, candles with special Chanukah matches, travel Chanukiah, and sweet treats. Click here to purchase a bag by Monday, Dec. 15, and it is for San Diego residents only.
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RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust reports artist Max Scheller, grandson of Holocaust survivors, and artist Darryl Hall designed and created a Holocaust pendant for sale, the size of a quarter. The pendant depicts a hand grasping barbed wire in the shape of a Star of David. Crafted in sterling silver and weighing 19 grams, each pendant is a collectible piece, with only 10 made to date. All proceeds will go to the Remember Us The Holocaust exhibit. Click here to purchase or for more information.
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OBITUARY NOTICE
Nomie Levin, mother of Josh, Aryeh, Hazel (Ezzy), and Shimshon, has died. The funeral was held on Friday, Dec. 5, at Kessler Israel Cemetery, Portland, Oregon, Beth Jacob Congregation reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.