By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, CaliforniaWell? 6 more weeks of winter or an early Spring? I think it is so neat that a chubby rodent has the brains to predict the weather better than we humans.
Before the twins started kindergarten, I took them to the Mission Hills/Knox/Hillcrest library, where they showed the 1993 flick “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray. They thought it was so hilarious, and towards the end of the film, repeating the day again, he started punching and kicking people. Every year since then, we make it a point to watch it, since we still crack up as Murray starts to lose his mind.
According to MSN News, Punxsutawney Phil predicts 6 more weeks of winter. That is unfortunate for our friends and family on the East Coast since those of us in San Diego are looking at highs in the 70’s for the next two weeks. No rain forecast for the next 10 days.
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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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Ner Tamid Synagogue’s The Man presents its “Family Superbowl Party” at 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 8. Click here to rsvp.
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San Diego Hebrew Day School announces its “Step up to Kinder: Experience a Day in the Life of a San Diego Hebrew Day Kindergartner” at 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 10. This event is for parents only to explore the environment their child is growing toward, and see how they continue to nurture curiosity, confidence, and joy beyond the preschool years. A light breakfast is provided. Click here to register.
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RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust’s Speaker Series presents “Bonnie Harris: Author of Philippine Sanctuary: How Jews Were Saved and Hidden by Filipinos” at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the La Jolla Riford Library. Harris will discuss her inspiration, writing journey, and the broader significance of her work in today’s literary landscape. A book signing will follow the discussion.
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Torah High School reports “Dinner to Go: Help Send Seniors to Poland Trip”, at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 12. The fundraiser includes picking up a dinner of teriyaki chicken, rice, roasted green beans, and cookies, which feeds 4. Pick up at Beth Jacob Congregation or Adat Yeshurun Synagogue; delivery is available for an additional fee. Click here to order.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue’s JAMeets announces its “Book Club” at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, at Champagne Bakery. The event will include a discussion of Jean Meltzer’s book Kissing Kosher. Click here to rsvp and join the WhatsApp book chat.
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SD Kollel announces its “Women’s Class with Guest Rebbetzin: Chaya Ertel” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday. Feb. 17. Ertel is the rebbetzin at San Diego Jewish Experience and will be leading a women’s study followed by dessert. WhatsApp Rabbi Adam Simon at 619-629-8433 for more information.
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San Diego Hebrew Day School, Lawrence Family JCC Little Mensches, Shalom Baby, and PJ Library announce their “Ronald McDonald House Packing Event: Tikun Olam: Teaching our Children to Give Back and Become Little Mensches” at 1 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 22, at San Diego Hebrew Day School. This event is best for ages 2 to 10 years old and will work side-by-side with their parents to pack essential items for families going through medical challenges. Click here to register.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
Chula Vista presents “Kids Hamantash Bake” at 11 a.m., Sunday, March 1. This event includes families mixing, filling, and shaping hamantaschen, a cereal bar, pancake bar, and hot cocoa. Click here to rsvp.
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Poway and Rancho Bernardo announce their “Celebrate Purim in the Wild West” at 5:30 p.m., Monday, March 2, at Chabad at Poway. The event includes a wild west BBQ feast, festive music, Megillah reading, L’chaim, and Mishloach Manot. Click here to rsvp.
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Chula Vista announces its “Purim in Hawaii” at 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 3. The event includes a Hawaiian-themed dinner, snow cone truck, L’chaim tiki bar, tropical birds, crafts, and Megillah reading. Click here to rsvp.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
East County Art Association reports it will be including two of Roni Breite’s artworks in the Mardi Gras Carnival Exhibition from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays in the month of February. Click here for more information.
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Chabad of Poway reports its Purim Basket Project has started and is seeking underwriters for this campaign to give packages from the community to the community. Click here to order and have the opportunity to have your name included in the packages. Click here to volunteer to help pack or deliver the baskets.
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RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust reports its most recent event, held on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, was packed with many new faces to watch the film, The Beautiful Life of Maria Coleman, created by Brandon Winter and Matthew Sullivan. Mayor Todd Gloria acknowledged the important work the exhibit is doing and for recognizing its commitment to incorporating as many survivor voices and stories as possible. The La Jolla Riford Library extended the exhibit to June 2026 and will take a brief pause over the summer and then return to a new location that will be announced soon.
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San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, Jordan Z. Marks, reports that the Downtown waterfront office will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, to accommodate marriage license and ceremony appointments. Only the Downtown waterfront location will be open that day. All other ARCC offices and services will be closed. Couples may exchange vows outdoors at Waterfront Park with the historic County Administration Center as a backdrop or inside one of the office’s ceremony rooms. Click here to book an appointment.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.