By Cailin Acosta on a visit to El Paso, Texas
Early Sunday morning, Dec. 21, before sunrise, we loaded up and made the 10-hour-plus drive to El Paso, Texas. Even Freckles, my angora rabbit, made the trek in the middle seat, content staying on a blanket, and enjoyed snacking on salad and many head rubs.
As we made it past the Franklin Mountains above the University of Texas at El Paso, there was an illuminated star on the mountainside. I don’t remember the star having been lit as blue prior to this occasion.
As we unpacked and settled in at my in-laws’ house, I received an email from the Jewish Federation of El Paso and Las Cruces wishing the Jewish community a Happy Chanukah as we celebrated the 8th night.
Historically, the star was first lit as a Christmas decoration in 1940 and was meant as a reminder to people on both sides of the Mexico-US border that America was at peace during the holiday season. El Paso is across the border from Juarez, Mexico.
The star has gone through many renovations throughout the years, with the installation of more energy-efficient lights, and due to the constant vandalism, the site is monitored by the El Paso Police Department, and citations are issued.
Over the years, the star has stayed lit for 444 nights to support U.S. hostages during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979. From December 1990 to August 1991, the star remained lit until the last soldier from Fort Bliss returned from the Gulf War.
In 1993, discussions between the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce and the El Paso Electric Company led to the star being lit nightly. In August 2025, the star flashed 23 times to represent and honor the 23 lives lost during the El Paso Walmart mass shooting hate crime attack.
I was thrilled to see the support shown as our community endured another antisemitic attack in Australia at the beginning of Chanukah. It was touching to see the El Paso community stand in solidarity with us.
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Other pending events, previously reported in this column, may be found in our Jewish community calendar.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue’s The Man will be hosting “Family Night: Chinese Food and a Movie” at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 24. The event will include Chinese food and movies. Click here to register.
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San Diego Center for Jewish Culture announces its “December 25 Tradition” at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 25, at Lawrence Family JCC. The event includes a concert of musical theatre classics, followed by a Chinese dinner, and at 7 p.m., the film screening of the movie When Harry Met Sally. Click here for tickets.
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Maccabi San Diego announces its “JCC Maccabi 2026 Tryouts” at 10 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 4, at Lawrence Family JCC. The event will include tryouts for Jewish teens ages 13-17. Tryouts for basketball in be in the gym, soccer tryouts for boys and girls will be on the field, and baseball tryouts will be on the dirt section of the field. All other athletes and parents are invited to join for an information session following the tryout. Click here to register. JCC Maccabi 2026 will be Sunday, August 2, to Friday, August 7, in Kansas City, Missouri.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue announces its “Shul Skills Shabbat” at 6:45 p.m., Friday, Jan. 9. The event will be led by Rabbi Ryan Newfield and will explain the different parts of Friday evening, sharing themes and sources to learn your way through services.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Sisterhood presents “Neshima, Neshama (Breath and Soul): A Health and Wellness Sisterhood Havdalah Evening” at 4 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 17. The event includes Havdalah service (free to attend), followed by meditation, dinner, and joyful singing. Click here to make your dinner reservations.
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Beth Jacob Congregation presents “Trivia Night” at 7 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 18. The event includes a nacho bar, beer and libations, and prizes. Click here to rsvp.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue announces its “Gala: Celebrate 120 Years” at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 22. Click here for more information.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue announces its “Gala” at 6 p.m., Saturday, March 7. The event will include American 50’s-80’s folk and soft rock, cocktail attire or attire from the time period, and Italian/Mediterranean food. Click here to register.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
La Costa announces its “Community Chinese Dinner” at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 24. The event includes Chinese food and a game night. Click here to rsvp.
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University City presents “Movie Night: Big Screen and Chinese Cuisine” at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 24. Click here to rsvp.
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East County announces its “Lunch and Learn with Chinese Cuisine” at 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 25. The event includes a Torah class paired with a Chinese lunch. Click here to rsvp.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Beth Jacob Congregation reports the Mission Bagel Food Truck will be opening soon on the Beth Jacob campus on 4825 College Ave. Mission Bagel is under the supervision of the Vaad Harabbanim of San Diego.
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Lawrence Family JCC reports introducing a new teen program, “Pride in the Tribe: A Jewish Space Where LGBTQ+ Teens and Allies Find Belonging.” Pride in the Tribe at the J is a safe, affirming, and inclusive space for teens (13-18), including LGBTQ+ teens, allies, Jewish teens, and anyone who wants to be part of an inclusive community rooted in Jewish values. This inaugural program will host various events such as Shabbat dinners, service projects, meet-ups, and more. Click here if interested in joining the program.
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SCY High reports that community member and licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Greg Ross, conducted his first workshop of the year, and returning students have already developed a relationship with Ross from previous workshops. This has led to deeper conversations and a feeling of safety, as well as fostering a school culture that promotes emotional and mental well-being.
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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. Shelving is installed and will be powered up after the elevator installation. Condenser installation has begun, and doors have been hung and painted. Baseboards are going in, and bathroom accessories installation is progressing (changing table going in soon). The kitchenette countertop and sink have been installed, the laundry room sink has been installed, and the appliances have arrived.
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Coastal Gan Preschool reports that the children learned about Chanukah and practiced fine motor skills by placing candles into menorah holes. The children learned about potatoes and latkes and used potatoes as a fun painting tool.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.