By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
Recently, San Diego’s historic Balboa Park has started charging for parking, which has caused an uproar among many residents who have enjoyed parking for free and spending time at the park’s museums, restaurants, theaters, and gardens.
I have a membership at the Mingei International Museum where children under 18 are free. My twins and I have enjoyed many trips on off-school days and during the summer. The added cost of parking has limited our attendance and what I would spend at the other museums or gift shops.
Parking has been free for 100 years, and this issue has not been discussed with the residents. Many of the docents are volunteers and give of their time to be of assistance. From my personal point of view, paying to come volunteer is just a shame.
As I live in La Mesa, a few blocks from the San Diego city line, I now have to pay a premium for parking as a non-resident. If the San Diego City Council repeals fees for residents, but retains them for “out of towners,” I wonder whether our fees will be further adjusted.
Click here to Save Balboa Park, as paid parking is a threat to inclusive access to art.
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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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Tifereth Israel Synagogue presents “21% Israeli: The Identity Struggle for Arabs with Israeli Citizenship Featuring Dr. David Mendelsohn”, on Saturday, Jan. 31, following Shabbat lunch. This event includes Mendelsohn exploring the history and current challenges faced by Arabs with Israeli citizenship. Click here for more details.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue announces its “Tu BiShvat with Shul School and Congregation Dor Hadash” at 10 a.m., Sunday, February 1, at Coastal Roots Farm. This event will include kids’ activities and adult activities with Morah Holly and Morah Jessie. At noon, Ner Tamid Shul School will cover the cost of students to attend the Food Forest Festival. Click here to register.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Sisterhood will be attending the “Food Forest Festival” at noon on Sunday, Feb. 1, at Coastal Roots Farm. The event includes cooking demos, yoga and meditation, tree pruning and maintenance, Tu B’Shvat 101 & Jewish learning, Pop-up Pay-What-You-Can Farm Stand (bring your reusable bags), Live Music, Local food available for purchase (kosher food available), Libation Station (21+), and more. Click here to rsvp.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue’s JAMeets presents its “Healing Group with Dr. Skip Himmelstein” at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, February 3, 10, and 24. This event will include topics of resilient living, understanding, and overcoming trauma and grief. Click here to register and to receive the address.
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Israeli American Council’s Shishi Israeli announces its “Tu B’Shvat Celebration with Temple Adat Shalom” at 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6. This event will include seasonal treats, children’s activities, and discussions about the traditions and meaning of the Holiday of Trees. Click here to rsvp and to receive the address.
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Congregation Beth Israel’s Caring Community announces its “Hamantaschen Bake” at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24. This event will include jello shots, lottery scratchers, Purim trivia, masks, and, of course, hamantaschen baking. Click here to rsvp.
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Lawrence Family JCC’s Pride in the Tribe presents its “Bake the Rainbow: Hamantaschen Edition” at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 1. This event is for LGBTQ+ teens and allies to roll, fill, and bake colorful dough and celebrate Purim together. Click here to rsvp.
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Torah High School San Diego announces its “Casino Night: Celebrating 27 Years and Honoring Mrs. Ruth Broudy” at 5 p.m., Sunday, March 15. The evening includes cocktails, a program, dinner, and entertainment. Click here for more information.
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Lawrence Family JCC’s Pride in the Tribe presents “Craft Your Identity: LGBTQ+ 101 Workshop” at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 29. This event is for LGBTQ+ teens and allies to learn the basics of identities, safe coming-out strategies, and how to be an awesome ally to friends. Teens can get creative and make their own pronoun and pride-flag pins using Shrinky Dinks. Click here to rsvp.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Rebbetzin Nechama Eilfort of Chabad at La Costa shares that her brother Avromie Israel got engaged to Shternie (Cousins) Rosenfeld from Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort and Nechama are stuck in New York due to the blizzard. The Jewish Learning Institute class will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28, both in person and on Zoom. Click here if you have any questions.
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Congregation Beth Israel reports that planning for its immersive travel trip to Israel has begun. This trip will happen from Sunday, June 28, until Tuesday, July 7, and will be led by Rabbi Jason and Nicole Nevarez. Highlights of the trip include a visit to Sha’ar Hanegev to learn how Oct. 7 affected residents and their daily challenges, meet care-takers and explore trauma-tech innovations supporting victims, volunteer with local organizations, packing food, gardening, and cooking for the community. Click here for the full itinerary and registration.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue reports new parents Meredith Kaplan and Andrew Jackson, and grandmother Sheryl Kaplan welcomed the birth of a baby boy named Calum Joseph Jackson. Mazel Tov!
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OBITUARY NOTICE
George Kaplan has died. He was the husband of Susan Kaplan, father of Paula (Paul) Lefko, Beth (Ben) Abramovitz, Julie (Michael) Waterstone, and Alan (Erica) Kaplan, grandfather of Zachary Abramovitz, Sophie Abramovitz, Ava Waterstone, Jack Waterstone, Liam Lefko, Tali Lefko, Sam Waterstone, Saul Kaplan, Sylvie Kaplan, and Noa Kaplan. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 28, at Ohr Shalom Synagogue, and the burial service will be at noon, at Home of Peace Cemetery, Ohr Shalom Synagogue reports.
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Arthur Neumann has died. He was the husband of Marilyn Neumann. A Celebration of Life was held on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at Cygnet Theatre, Temple Emanu-El reports.
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Gerald Perlmutter has died. He was the husband of Carol Anne Levine, father of Jeffery and Lisa, and grandfather of Noah and Jonas. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, at El Camino Memorial Park with Rabbi Benj Fried of Temple Emanu-El as officiant, Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Leonard Shedletsky has died. He was the father of Rabbi Noah Whittenburg. The burial took place on Thursday, Jan. 22, in Portland, Maine, Beth Jacob Congregation reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.
Such great reporting. You are certainly keeping us all informed!