By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, was this week. Many synagogues held candlelight vigils in honor of the six million Jews who perished, including the 1.5 million children who inspired the locally-based Butterfly Project. That is an effort to produce and display 1.5 million painted butterfly ceramics around the world. The butterfly is a symbol of renewal, made popular in the post war era by the publication of Czechoslovak poet Pavel Friedmann’s poem, The Butterfly. Friedmann wrote the poem in Theresienstadt and was murdered at Auschwitz.
As a kid, I loved butterflies and all the different species and colors. At the San Diego Zoo, I like to go into the butterfly pavilion and try to get them to land on my finger and see their wings flap. They bring a sense of calmness and happiness as they float with the breeze.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Jewish Family Service of San Diego announces its “2026 Heart and Soul Gala: Celebrates Meaningful Change and Recognizes Honorees” at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, April 18, at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine. The event will include sharing its recent successes, empowering the community as an impactful resource for individuals and families in need. The nonprofit will celebrate the contributions of honorees Jerri-Ann and Gary Jacobs and Tammy and Louis Vener, longtime JFS supporters and volunteers who inspire many with their generosity and leadership. All proceeds will benefit JFS’s ongoing programs that serve the community through ensuring people have a safe, stable place to live; making sure individuals and families have enough nutritious food to eat; and surrounding each person with a strong community of support in San Diego. Click here to register.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue presents its “San Diego Blood Bank Mobile” at 9 a.m., Sunday, April 19. Click here to make an appointment.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue’s Sisterhood announces its “Rosh Chodesh” observance at 10 a.m., Sunday, April 19. Eti Chagall will lead this session on counting the Omer. Organizers say to bring journals and colored pencils for the activity. Click here to rsvp.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue announces its “Jewish Living Museum and Cultural Fair” at 11 a.m., Sunday, April 19. This event includes members showing family heirlooms and sharing stories, dancing, singing, crafts, and Jewish noshes. Click here to rsvp.
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Nierman Preschool announces its “Open House” at 2 p.m., Sunday, April 19, at the Lawrence Family JCC. This event is for families to tour the classrooms, meet the educators, and ask questions. Light refreshments will be served. Click here to rsvp.
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Jewish Community Symphony presents “The Bear and the River” at 3 p.m., Sunday, April 19, at the Lawrence Family JCC. The event includes selections from Schubert: Overture to Rosamunde, Haydn: Symphony No. 82, The Bear, Smetana: The Moldau, Mozart: Violin Concerto No.3, and Saint-Saens: Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso. Guest soloist: Martin Chalifour, Conductor: David Amos, and Assistant Conductor: Robert Zelickman.
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Israeli American Council, Jewish Federation of San Diego, Lawrence Family JCC, and Jewish Community Foundation San Diego present “Yom HaZikaron: Israel’s Day of Remembrance: Hineni, Here I am” at 7 p.m., Monday, April 20. The event includes inviting the community to stand together to commemorate 76 years of Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror attacks, and reflect on the lives lost too soon, and draw on each other for strength and support. Click here to register and to receive the address.
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SCY High School announces its “Annual Yom Ha’Atzmaut Communal Tefillah and Celebration” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 21. Organizers say light refreshments will be served after the program, and all bags and persons will be subject to search. Click here for more information.
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SD Kollel presents its “Ladies Weekly Kollel Café: Women’s Class and Discussion” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday nights. This event includes women’s topics and desserts. For more information, call 619-287-9890.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue announces its “Yom Ha’Atzmaut Concert” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 21. This event includes a sing-along with the Ohr Shalom choir directed by Elisheva Edelson. Click here to rsvp.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue presents its “Yom Ha’Atzmaut: Celebrate Israel” at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 22. This event will include a BBQ hosted by the Men’s Club, a shaving cream battle, and more. Click here to rsvp so food and activities can be appropriately planned.
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Beth Jacob Congregation announces a save-the-date “BJSD Lag B’Omer Event” at 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 5. The event will feature live music with Mordy Estersohn. More information is coming soon.
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Jewish Federation of San Diego’s Women’s Philanthropy announces its “Brunch Club After Dark: Spark Interactive Experience” at 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 5. This event offers an opportunity to gather as Jewish women in community while honoring the enduring legacy of remembrance, resilience, and light through Holocaust education and storytelling. Interactive experiences include being the first to experience the innovative mobile classroom with a guided tour led by Director of Operations and special projects for the Center for Holocaust Education, Erica Whinston. Dr. Shayna Kaufmann will lead a guided discussion on resilience and finding light in the darkness, and Barbi Dorfan will lead a light-themed creative activity. Click here to register and to receive the location.
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Anti-Defamation League Southern California announces its 4-part webinar series on the 250th anniversary of the United States, “Jews and the American Experience with Dr. Steven Windmueller” at noon, Thursday, May 7. Part one: “The Jewish Contract with America” will discuss the distinctive ingredients that helped to frame this experience and the distinguishing features of the American democracy. Click here to register. At noon, Thursday, May 14, part two: “Zion in America” will discuss how Zion helped to shape America as “the new Israel” and how this concept has been significant in building this country and in creating the special relationship between Washington and Jerusalem. Click here to register. At noon, Thursday, May 21, part three: “The Israel-American Connection” will discuss the elements that define the connections between our two nations. Click here to register. At noon, Thursday, June 4, part four: “Jews and American Racism/Anti-Semitism” will explore the evolution of “Jewish power”, political influence, and communal advocacy. Click here to register.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
Downtown’s Rosh Chodesh Society announces its “Affection in Direction: Avigail, Rebuking with Love and Respect” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 22. This women’s session will focus on the story of Abigail, a wise woman who rebuked a king, to reveal the empathetic motivation underlying her rebuke and to discover Judaism’s secret of successful intervention and redirection. Click here to rsvp.
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Chula Vista’s Men’s Monthly Tefillin Club announces its “Bagels, Lox and Tefillin” at 9 a.m., Sunday, April 26. This men’s monthly session includes breakfast, Tefillin, and a Torah discussion. Click here to rsvp.
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East County’s Jewish Women’s Circle presents “Three Women, Three Journeys, One Powerful Conversation: Cancer Impacted Our Lives, But Not Our Strength” at noon, Tuesday, April 28. This event includes an open dialogue about faith, resilience, and inner strength with a space for connection for women seeking inspiration and strength through life’s challenges. Speakers include a mother, attorney, and author: Andrea Schneider, CEO of a catering business, nana, and volunteer: Olga Worm, and clinical psychologist, author, and teacher: Dr. Shayna Kaufmann. Click here to register.
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Downtown presents its “Rabbi and Retirees Lunch” at noon, Wednesday, April 29. This monthly luncheon event includes a midday gathering, meaningful conversation, and timeless Jewish insight. Click here to rsvp.
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Chula Vista’s Jewish Women’s Circle announces its “Torah and Tea for Women” at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, May 3. This women’s monthly session includes Torah study, conversation, and connection with other Jewish women. Click here to rsvp.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
The K Dog, a kosher hot dog cart located at 275 Island Ave., reports it is under the supervision of VAAD. All meats are Glatt, and all breads are Pas Yisrael.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.