By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
You can’t change what happened, but you can choose how you live with it. – Dr. Edith Eger.
La Jolla resident, Holocaust survivor, psychologist, educator, and author, Dr. Edith Eger, has passed away at the age of 98.
While I was in El Paso, Texas, over the winter break, I visited the El Paso Holocaust Museum and read that she immigrated to the United States, spent many years in El Paso, and taught at the University of Texas at El Paso. She eventually moved to La Jolla, California, where she spent the rest of her time.
Eger dedicated her life to helping others heal. She had endured unimaginable horrors during the Holocaust at a young age. She made a profound and courageous decision not to allow her past to define her future. Instead, she turned her pain into purpose, guiding others to confront their own suffering with strength, compassion, and hope.
Eger’s quote above reminds us that while we cannot undo the past, we each hold the power to choose how we respond to it. Her message resonates deeply, especially in a world still facing hatred, injustice, and division. Healing is possible, freedom begins within, and even in the darkest moments, there is always the possibility of light.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Beth Jacob Congregation announces its “Halacha Happy Hour with Sushi and Beer” at 8:15 p.m., Wednesdays starting April 29. The event will be led by Rabbi Baruch Frankel, who will discuss “Hilchos Shabbos: Cooking in the Kitchen” while attendees enjoy sushi and beer.
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Hillel of San Diego, Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego, and Jewish Networking Hub announce “Meet Dr. Irwin Jacobs” at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 30, at Melvin Garb Hillel Center. This event includes a conversation with Jacobs, who is a philanthropist and cofounder of Qualcomm. Click here to register.
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Grossmont College’s Independent Companion Program presents “From the Holocaust to Hope: Klezmer Music and Dance featuring Yale Strom with Dance Performance by Litvak and Nancy Boskin-Mullen” at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 30, at the Performing and Visual Arts Center (Bldg. 22). This event includes Strom performing with other musicians and two dance pieces with Grossmont College dancers and the Litvak Dance Ensemble. The program celebrated the rich cultural heritage of Eastern European Jewish communities, honoring the resilience and creativity of people whose traditions endured in the face of unimaginable persecution. A highlight of the evening is a choreographed dance piece What Became by Boskin-Mullen, Grossmont Dance Professor, whose grandparents escaped the Holocaust.
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Congregation Beth El announces its “Beth El Honors: An Inspiring Evening of Community” at 6 p.m., Sunday, May 3. The evening includes honoring three honorees for their involvement. Honorees include Laurilynn Barnett for the generosity of her time and devotion, Susan and Jordan Levin for their family commitment to Jewish community, and Charles Rosen for the warmth and wisdom of his presence and leadership. The event will also include cocktails, dinner, and the program. Click here to register.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue presents “Jewish Sources of Hope: In Israel and Beyond” at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 5. The event will be led by Rabbi Leon Morris, President of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Israel, who will discuss hope in the aftermath of war and violence. Click here to rsvp.
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Women of Congregation Beth Israel announces its “Bubbles and Bunco” at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 6. This event includes women who are experienced Bunco players or have never played to join in a social night and meet new people. Organizers say pizza, salad, desserts, and drinks will be served. Click here to rsvp.
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Jewish Federation of San Diego announces its “Community Trip” with two information sessions planned to explore the itinerary, ask questions, and see if this experience is right for you. First session at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 13, click here to register. Second session at 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 9, click here to register. The trip will include leaving Sunday, May 16, 2027, and returning Tuesday, May 25, 2027, with an optional Budapest extension. Activities include exploring Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, visiting sister city Sha’ar HaNegev, and experiencing culinary, cultural, and technological activities. Click here to register for the trip.
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Holocaust Living History Workshop presents “Bitter Sweet: Daily Life in Occupied France, Featuring Kitty Morse” at 5 p.m., Thursday, May 14, on Zoom. Morse will lead this webinar and share her experience and stories of finding her great-grandfather’s journal that documented life in occupied France, a recipe book, and a journal written by her grandmother. Click here to register.
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San Diego International Jewish Film Festival Midseason Film Screening presents the showing of “Frontier” at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 14, at the Lawrence Family JCC. The film takes place during World War II as Jewish families are fleeing Nazi territory through the Spanish border in the Pyrenees mountains, where the path is blocked, until an unlikely hero steps forward. The film has suspense, high-stakes tension, and an emotional heart. Click here for tickets.
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Congregation B’nai Tikvah announces its “Yom Yerushalayim: Jerusalem Reunification Day” at 7 p.m., Friday, May 15, on Zoom. This event is the remembrance of the Six-Day War in June 1967 and the dramatic recapture of the Holy City. Click here for the Zoom link.
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Congregation Beth Israel’s Speaker’s Forum and Dinner presents “The Jew Who Would be King: The True Story of a Jewish Zulu Chieftain in the 19th Century” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 20. Professor Adam Rovner will share his research and travels to the site of Nathaniel Isaacs’ island stronghold in Guinea, allowing the telling of a little-known story and dealing with the harsh realities and moral ambiguities of colonial power exposing the entangled forces of Jewish emancipation and antisemitism, slavery and abolition, the stark dichotomies of civilization and “savagery”, and the creation of whiteness versus Blackness. Click here to register.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
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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East County announces its “Shabbat Friday Night Dinner” at 6:15 p.m., Friday, May 1. The event includes Shabbat services, prayer and light, and coming together as a community. Click here to rsvp.
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University City’s Men’s Club announces its “Soulfire: LagBaOmer, The Flame You Carry” at 8 p.m., Monday, May 4. Men are invited to join the space and come as they are for just real conversation and meaningful connection. Click here to rsvp and receive the location.
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Encinitas presents its “Lag Baomer Beach BBQ and Bonfire” at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, at Moonlight Beach. The event includes BBQ, s’mores, sand toys, and BYO instrument (kumzitz). Click here to rsvp.
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Chula Vista announces its “Community Lag Baomer BBQ” at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, at Harvest Park. The event will include a BBQ dinner, music, lawn games, a bounce house, cotton candy, and fun for all ages. Click here to rsvp.
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East County’s Jewish Women’s Circle presents its “Torah and Tea” at noon, Thursday, May 7. This women’s discussion will include Torah study, lunch, and connection focused on the stone to the soul: the hidden code of the 10 commandments. Click here to rsvp.
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La Costa presents its “Mother’s Day Kiddush”, Saturday Shabbos, May 9. Click here to sponsor your mother and to rsvp.
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Coastal Gan Izzy announces its “Big Kid Camp” starting at 9 a.m., Monday, June 22, through Friday, June 26. The camp for kindergarten – 5th grade will include nature exploration, group games, water play, creative projects, and meaningful Jewish experiences. Click here to register.
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Coastal Gan Izzy announces its “Preschool Camp” starting at 9 a.m., Monday, July 13, through Friday, August 7. The camp for ages 1-4 will include art, science, sensory play, baking, water play, and a Shabbat party. Click here to register.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Hillel San Diego reports its “Hillel Giving Week” will start Monday, May 4, through Friday, May 8. This weeklong campaign celebrates Jewish life, resilience, and the bright future of Jewish college students and sends a message that they belong, are heard, and are part of a family that stands tall. Click here to make an early gift.
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The Holocaust Living History Workshop reports its “Triton Giving Day” on Wednesday, April 29. This 24-hour campaign is a commitment to high-quality public programming that ensures the series’ continued existence and that these events rely on the generosity of community sponsors. Click here to make a gift.
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OU Kosher reports it held its annual Kashrus conference with more than 200 participants, which included OU Kosher Rabbinic Coordinators (RCs) and Rabbinic Field Representatives (RFRs) from North and South America, Israel, and Europe, as well as representatives of over 20 international kashrus agencies. The conference also featured a tribute to Rabbi Menachem Genack, who is stepping down from his role as CEO of OU Kosher.
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OBITUARY NOTICE
Alain Michel Avigdor has died. He was the husband of Barrett Avigdor and father of Harrison and Alexander Avigdor. The funeral will take place at 11:30 a.m., Friday, May 1, at El Camino Memorial Park with Rabbi Scott Meltzer of Ohr Shalom Synagogue as officiant, Am Israel Mortuary and Ohr Shalom Synagogue report.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.