By Eileen Wingard in La Jolla, California
Three local poets, Donna Rolfe, David Chait, and Betzy Lynch, will be featured in the final program of the 2025-26 season of Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices, Tuesday, May 19, 7 p.m. in the Astor Judaica Library of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center.
Donna Rolfe is a Chicago native. As a child, when her father was in the army, she sent poems to him. She continued sending poems to family and friends for all occasions. After a year and a half of college, she married and raised three daughters. She wrote children’s stories in rhyme and expanded to more controversial and contemporary subjects. In 2021, her poems were published in Out of My Mind, A Collection of Wit and Wisdom. She was invited to be a featured poet after participating in open mic at one of last season’s Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices programs.
David Chait was born and raised in Mexico, where he attended Jewish day schools from kindergarten to 12th grade. There, he developed a strong connection to Jewish culture and community.
His early artistic experiences were as a member of a Jewish youth movement, where he was involved in cultural programming. He also performed in the Anajnu Veatem troupe in Mexico City, doing dance and storytelling through movement. As a young adult, he embraced modern dance and developed his skills as a choreographer and writer. In San Diego, he was an artistic force in the Ken Community, where he organized dance troupes.
His poetry writing emerged as a form of self-expression. He is the cofounder of Teatro Punto y Coma and this year’s offering, part of JFest, Samuel His Widow and the Whispering Flowers will be shown at the Lawrence Family JCC on Sunday, June 24. It is written and directed by Chait and weaves together music, dance and storytelling.
Betzy Lynch, Executive Director and CEO of the Lawrence Family JCC since 2017, grew up in Youngstown, Ohio. She received her BA in Business
Management and Education and her MA in Exercise Science, Physical Education and Coaching. She has worked at JCCs in Palm Beach, Florida; Youngstown, Ohio; Memphis, Tennessee; and Birmingham, Alabama before coming to San Diego. She arrived in San Diego with her husband, Spencer Lynch, who serves the JCC as Senior Director of Security & Sports, Fitness & Aquatics. Her two young children attended preschool and day camp. Betzy’s poetic ability is often seen in the emails she sends out to the membership, some in the form of poems. She is also a hands-on leader, even serving food at senior luncheons.
As one of the three poets for the May 19 evening, Betzy will be reading 18 minutes of her original work.
Following the hour of featured poets, there will be a half hour of open mic during which audience members are encouraged to read their poems.
The evening will end with a reception catered by members of the Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices Committee and coordinated by committee member Jane Zeer.
This program is complimentary and will be moderated by Joy Heitzmann.
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Eileen Wingard is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts.