By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
Lag Ba’Omer is here, the 33rd day of the Omer count, and it honors Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, author of the Zohar. People celebrate by being outside in nature, having safe bonfires and roasting s’mores, singing and dancing, and together as a community.
We got a little scatter of rain this morning; hopefully, all the exciting bonfires scheduled tonight around the county will not have their fires extinguished by any surprise rain pockets. But the rain is so welcome and needed.
In 16 days, we will be celebrating Shavuot, when we celebrate receiving the Torah. So many happy occasions await us.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Young Israel of San Diego, SD Kollel, Olami San Diego, Congregation Adat Yeshurun, Beth Jacob Congregation, Torah High School of San Diego, San Diego Hebrew Day School, Aish San Diego, and SCY High announce their “Lag Ba’Omer: Bonfires by the Bay” at 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, at Bonita Cove. This event includes live music with special guest Mordy Estersohn, soft drinks, snacks, s’mores, and Burekas Box. Click here to rsvp.
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San Diego Center for Jewish Culture announces its “Jewish Spirit Song Jam with Adam Shames” at 11:30 a.m., Thursdays, May 7, 14, and 21 at the Lawrence Family JCC. This 3-week session led by Shames will guide a mix of classical and contemporary Jewish songs in Hebrew and English. Participants are encouraged to bring their voice, instruments, and rhythm makers to sing, drum, and improvise together. Click here to register.
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San Diego Center for Jewish Culture presents “Mah Jongg 101: Beginner Series” at noon on Thursdays, May 7, 14, and 21 at the Lawrence Family JCC. These sessions will teach the fundamentals of Mah Jongg and cover the basics of gameplay, strategy, etiquette, and build confidence. At the end, you’ll be ready to join the JCC Mah Jongg Club. Click here to register.
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Friendship Circle of San Diego presents “Mother’s Day Special” at 10 a.m., Sunday, May 10, at the Lawrence Family JCC. This community day celebrates Mother’s Day with the Israeli Scouts and an afternoon of art projects, treats, and a time to connect in a warm and welcoming space.
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Coastal Roots Farm announces its “Mother’s Day Farm Tour: A Special Behind-the-Scenes Tour to Celebrate” at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, May 10. This event will include a guided tour of the gardens, chicken coops, compost systems, and the Food Forest. Participants will create a mini bouquet of fresh flowers and herbs from the garden. Click here to register.
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Trinity Theatre Company presents “A Feast of Words: A Performance by Richard Lederer” at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 9, and 2 p.m., Sunday, May 10. Best-selling language author and Union-Tribune language columnist Lederer will serve up a veritable banquet of words, from a brief history of English to rib-tickling bloopers. Before and after his performance, Lederer will sign his books, and during the performance, there will be a live auction. Click here for tickets.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue’s Book Club will be discussing Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland at 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 12. The event will include discussing the book, and pizza will be served. Click here to rsvp and to receive the address.
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San Diego Center for Jewish Culture’s Mandelbaum Family Lecture Series presents “From Kaifeng to Jerusalem: China’s Encounter with Jewish Civilization” at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 13, at the Coronado Public Library. This lecture, led by Xu Xin, will explore Jewish history, culture, and identity through a Chinese lens, drawing on decades of scholarship, examining historic communities in Kaifeng and Shanghai. The talk will also highlight growing academic exchange, innovation partnerships, and contemporary Chinese perspectives on Israel as a “start-up nation.” Click here to rsvp.
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Coastal Roots Farm’s Farm-to-Table announces “Brunch with Chef Mark Enciso” at 11 a.m., Sunday, May 17. This event will be led by Enciso, chef at Order Fire BBQ, who will feature a multicourse pescatarian menu filled with organic vegetables, sustainably sourced fish, and thoughtful wine and beer pairings. Click here to register.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue’s Arts and Culture presents “Watercolor” at 1 p.m., Sunday, May 17. The session will be led by artist Diana Finkelstein, who will teach simple contemplative art techniques so participants can create their own art pieces. This event is for ages 10 and up, no experience necessary, and a small fee for materials. Click here to rsvp.
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Friendship Circle of San Diego announces “Ben’s Bowling League” at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 19, at Mira Mesa Lanes. This event includes an afternoon of bowling, connection, and fun, being part of a supportive and welcoming group.
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Anti-Defamation League San Diego presents “Lead Change, One Conversation at a Time: Tools for Talking About Being Jewish in Today’s World” at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 21, on Zoom. This webinar will be led by Farnaz Golshani, former Superintendent of Environmental Charter Schools and ADL Advocacy and Education Consultant, who will give practical tools to navigate these moments with clarity and confidence. This interactive session is designed to help participants communicate more effectively in real-world conversations, whether with colleagues, friends, or in the broader community. Click here to register.
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Young Israel of San Diego announces a save-the-date “Shavuot Dinner” on Thursday, May 21. This evening will include celebrating Shavuot together as a community. More details and registration coming soon.
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Women of Congregation Beth Israel presents “A Rosh Chodesh Series” at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, May 28. This session will be led by Nicole Nevarez on the core idea of Na’aseh v’nishma – we will do, and we will hear/understand. Women will explore what a full yes actually means, what it requires, what it doesn’t, and where clear boundaries are the more honest yes. Click here to register.
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San Diego Center for Jewish Culture announces its “Campfire Gala” at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, May 31, at the Lawrence Family JCC. This evening will celebrate over 80 years of Camp Jaycee, from Shabbat songs to lifelong friendships. This event will celebrate the impact of Jewish camp and help more kids feel that same sense of belonging. Click here for tickets.
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San Diego Center for Jewish Culture presents “Fudaism! A Healthy, Just and Jewish Relationship with Food” at 6 p.m., Thursdays, June 4, 11, and 18 at the Lawrence Family JCC. In this 3-week course with Rabbi Mike Rothbaum, explore how Jews have celebrated, blessed, and even fought over food throughout our texts, lands, and history. Click here for tickets.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
Carmel Valley Hebrew Academy announces its “Grand Lag B’Omer Event” at 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 5. The event includes a bonfire, music, s’mores, game booths, face painting, and a hotdog dinner. Click here to rsvp.
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Encinitas announces a save-the-date “Lag BaOmer BBQ” at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, at Moonlight Beach. The event will include a BBQ, s’mores, sand toys, and BYO instrument (Kumzitz). Click here to rsvp.
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Chula Vista presents its “Community Lag Baomer BBQ” at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, at Harvest Park. The event includes a BBQ dinner, music, lawn games, a bounce house, cotton candy, and fun for all ages. Click here to rsvp.
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Carmel Valley announces its “Jewish Insights: A Taste of the Rebbe’s Teachings” at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 7, at the Torah Life Center. This week’s lesson will discuss a curse to a blessing, how to get rid of trouble and pain.
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East County presents its “Celebrate Shavuot” at 10 a.m., Friday, May 22. This event includes services, the reading of the 10 Commandments, followed by brunch. Or attend the “Family Party” at 5 p.m., Friday, May 22. This event includes the reading of the 10 Commandments followed by a dairy dinner and ice cream. Click here to register.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Coastal Gan Preschool reports the children have been learning about Lag BaOmer and have been especially interested in the ideas of fire, light, and being together. They also explored simple ways through play and conversation, and how it is a special time of the year to be outside more and enjoy being together.
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Coastal Roots Farm reports its Farm Stand will provide more than $5,000 in organic produce to neighbors in need, free of charge. With recent cuts to CalFresh/SNAP and more restrictions coming on June 1, the need across San Diego is rising fast. The goal is to raise $150,000 by the end of May to keep this vital work going, and every dollar will be doubled thanks to a generous match. $15 given will be $30 to help feed a family for a week. $60 given will be $120 to provide a month of food for a senior, and $125 given will be $250 to help support deliveries to Holocaust survivors. Click here to give.
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ADL San Diego and the Urban League of San Diego County report they co-hosted a historic “Together Towards Freedom: Black Jewish Passover Seder”, which brought together 90 clergy members, elected officials, community leaders, and young professionals. The Seder was led by Rabbi Jason Nevarez. Participants explored Passover traditions, shared their experiences confronting antisemitism and racism, and found common ground in their commitment to the ongoing work of building a more just and inclusive San Diego.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Leona Levy has died. The funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 12, at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery with Rabbi/Cantor Arlene Bernstein of Congregation Beth Israel officiating, Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Mark Meyer has died. He was the son of Sara Meyer; the former husband of Diana Van Grinsven; father of Jessica (Nicky) Meyer England, and Jamie Meyer. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, May 6, at Mount Sinai Simi Valley, Temple Emanu-El reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.