By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
Jewish Heritage Month is ending in a few days. I was pleased to see a display on my way out of an event at La Mesa Arts Academy honoring famous Jewish Americans.
Steven Spielberg is considered one of the most influential filmmakers in cinema history. He has directed 34 films, including Jaws and Jurassic Park. He has won many awards, including three Academy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, a Tony Award, and a Grammy Award. “You can be great by being yourself,” Spielberg is quoted as saying.
Albert Einstein revolutionized modern physics and transformed our understanding of the universe. He was a vocal advocate against racism. During World War II, he and his wife made visa applications for other German Jews and personally vouched for refugees fleeing Nazi rule. As a child, Einstein’s teachers thought he might be behind because he started speaking later than most kids. “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” Einstein’s quotation read.
Gene Wilder was a legendary actor, writer, and director. He won two Academy Award nominations for his movies. He starred as Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. He was an advocate for cancer awareness because his wife, Gilda Radner, died of cancer. “Time is a precious thing. Never waste it,” Wilder advised.
Judith Resnik was the first Jewish American woman to travel to space. She got a perfect score on her SAT and was valedictorian at 17. During her first space mission in 1984, she became famous for displaying a sign that read “Hi Dad” to her father. Resnik died on her second mission in the Challenger accident in 1986. The Resnik crater is a small crater on the Moon’s far side, named in 1988 by the International Astronomical Union in her honor. “I think something is only dangerous if you are not prepared for it.” Resnik said.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Costal Roots Farm announces its “Farm Film and Music Series: The Danube Delta, The Healing Power of Nature and Guardians of the Wild” at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 28. The evening will focus on nature and wildlife conservation and will welcome local organizations and expert panelists to facilitate meaningful community conversations. Organizers say to bring a cozy blanket, picnic dinner, and a sense of wonder for a magical night of film and community under the stars. Click here for tickets.
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San Diego Center for Jewish Culture announces its “Easy, Breezy, Tel Aviv-y: Adeena Sussman” at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 28, at Congregation Beth Am. Sussman will share stories, recipes, and flavors behind her culinary journey in conversation with Debbie Kornberg of Spice and Leaf. Sussman will also have copies of her book Zariz: 100 Easy, Breezy, Tel Aviv-y Recipes for purchase and signing. Click here to register.
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Temple Emanu-El presents “From Gaza to Israel to the West Bank: A Journey of Dialogue and Hope” at 6 p.m., Friday, May 29, and 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 30. Issam Sa’ada and Yitzhak Sokoloff grew up in a refugee camp in Gaza and were forced to flee when Hamas came into power. Sa’ada will share his experiences growing up as a refugee in Gaza under Israeli rule, his decision to abandon hatred in favor of dialogue and friendship, and his bitter personal experiences with Hamas. Sokoloff will address the vision that forged the establishment of Israel and the ethical and strategic dilemmas facing Israel today, particularly in the aftermath of October 7 and the war with Iran. Click here to register.
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Yiddishland California announces “The Old Rebbe: Yehuda Pen and the Birth of Jewish Fine Art” at 11 a.m., Sunday, May 31, on Zoom. This event is led by Jennifer Stern, who will explore Pen, Marc Chagall’s first art teacher in Vitebsk, and the artist who pioneered Jewish fine art in Russia. Click here to register.
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Congregation Beth El’s Women’s Connection announces its “Book Club” at 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 2. This women’s event includes discussing My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wandering Jew by Abigail Pogrebin. This session will be led by Eve Fybel. Organizers say to bring a dairy/parve dish to share. Click here to register.
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Congregation Beth Israel presents “Ohad Moskowitz” at 7:30 p.m., Monday, June 8. Moskowitz is a world-renowned singer whose performances of original and Chassidic music have garnered millions of views globally. Click here for tickets.
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Hillel of San Diego announces its “Annual Community Celebration” at 10 a.m., Sunday, June 14, at the Beverly and Joseph Glickman Hillel Center. This event will include recognizing and honoring the Hillel of San Diego leaders and voting on the new board of leadership. Click here to rsvp.
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Beth Jacob Congregation announces its save the date “Scholar in Residence: Rav Chaim Eisenstein” Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20. Full schedule and details to follow.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-51) reports that, along with her Muslim and San Diegan Democratic colleagues, she introduced a resolution to honor the victims of the Islamic Center of San Diego shooting: Amin Abdullah, Mansour “Abul Izz” Kahzia, and Nadar Awad. These heroes were tragically murdered at the Islamic Center of San Diego, protecting the lives of over a hundred children, teachers, and community members in the process. Their resolution also condemns Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate that led to this act of domestic terrorism.
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Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer’s team reports that Terra gave birth to a baby girl. The baby came ahead of schedule, but her health is good, and so is Terra’s. Mazel Tov!
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Julius Fox has died. He was the husband of Perla Fox, father of Jordan, Ken, Judy (Jonathan), grandfather of Benjamin, Rebecca, and Liana, and great-grandfather of Arden and Leo. The private funeral was held on Tuesday, May 26, Ner Tamid Synagogue reports.
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Arlene Swan has died. The funeral will be held at 11:15 a.m., Thursday, May 28, at Miramar National Cemetery, Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.