By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
As we light our 6th candle on our Chanukiah and also our weekly Shabbat candles, I will take a moment to marvel at the lights and pray for those who are mourning and could use strength during this time.
Losing a loved one from sickness or an act of violence who should still be with us makes the holidays, whatever you might celebrate in December, especially difficult. When my Dad z”l, passed away 10 years ago this past July, I called it the “year of firsts,” the first time he would not be present for any event.
When out getting those last-minute gifts, eagerly awaiting your kids to return home from their last day of school until 2026, or simply grabbing a cup of coffee for a “me moment,” I always give a smile, say thank you, and wish them a happy holiday.
I was surprised the other day when I was attending a doctor’s appointment with a friend and told the checkout staff ‘happy holidays’ as we left. They stared at me and said, “Thank you, you were the first patient to say that to us all day.” I looked at my watch, and it was after 4 p.m.
Please and Thank You go a long way this time of year and should be carried on throughout the year.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Other pending events, previously reported in this column, may be found in our Jewish community calendar.
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Congregation Beth El presents its “Hannukah Shabbat Torah Study Lunch” at noon, Saturday, Dec. 20. The event will include Shabbat lunch followed by a study session with Rabbi Ron Shulman on the Book of the Maccabees. Click here to register.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue announces its “Celebrating Community Heroes” at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 24. The event will include filling baskets for first responders working during the December holidays. Click here to volunteer and to receive the location. Click here to make a monetary donation.
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Congregation Beth El’s Men’s Club announces its “Night at The Gulls Game” at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 28. The evening will include a casual social hour at Bay City Brewery, then walking over to the Pechanga Arena for the Gulls Game. Click here to register.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
Downtown announces its “Chanukah Building Party: Hosted by Judy Hawkins at the Pinnacle” at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Pinnacle Marina Tower Community Room. This event will include donuts, dreidels, music, menorah lighting, and Chanukah spirit. Click here to rsvp.
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University City presents its “Chanukah Pajama Party” at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 20. This event will include donut decorating, movie night with popcorn, pizza, fries, snacks, and a menorah lighting. Organizers say to come in your coziest pajamas and that this is a family event. Click here to rsvp.
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Carmel Valley announces its “Chanukah Party: Celebrating our Present Day Makabim” at 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 21, at the Torah Learning Center. The event will include Israeli food, games, birthday cake, gifts, and music. Click here to rsvp.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Ner Tamid Synagogue instructs congregants to use the issued vehicle hangtags, and that any unannounced and/or unknown-to-them visitors will be turned away by the guard; there will be no exception to this policy.
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Chabad of University City reports congregant Ella was the winner of the “Guess the Dreidels in the Jar Game” at the menorah lighting at the UTC mall on Sunday, Dec. 14. Ella guessed 365, and the correct answer was 366. Mazel Tov!
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Chabad of Carmel Valley reports that congregants and proud grandparents, Yitzchak and Judy Hakakha, welcomed the birth of a baby girl named Naomi Carmel. Mazel Tov to the parents, big brother, and grandparents!
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San Diego Jewish Academy reports it has expanded its innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology offerings by offering courses, programs, competitions, spaces, and mentorships to provide daily hands-on learning opportunities. Students learn to design, build, and launch a product, with new offerings being deployed based on student aptitude and interest.
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Jews of Color Initiative CEO Ilana Kaufman reports she has been visiting communities across the country to engage in open dialogue with local leaders, grantees, partners, supporters, and community members. The Lawrence Family JCC hosted the meeting, where they discussed the types of programs the community wants to see from the JoCI and how those programs could engage the Jewish community. They also discussed how to foster spaces for Jews of Color in such a large geographic region like San Diego. Each stop on the Listening Tour will be an opportunity to connect, reflect, and imagine together, exploring how JoCI can best serve local and national needs in partnership with the people JoCI serves.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Yakov Dashevsky has died. He was the son of Boris and Sofiya Dashevsky. The funeral was held on Tuesday, Dec. 16, Beth Jacob Congregation reports.
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Chaim Dworkin has died. He was the father of Bension (Gwen) Dworkin and grandfather of Noah Dworkin. The funeral services were held on Thursday, Dec. 18, at Germantown Jewish Centre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ner Tamid Synagogue reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.