By Cailin Acosta is in La Mesa, California
“May Gray” will be turning into “June Gloom” in a few days in San Diego. A few nights this week, I woke to the sound of rain outside my windows. This is a welcome sound, but there has been just enough rain to stir the dirt around my car and make me run the windshield wipers and fluid to see.
With Shavuot over, we are in a bit of a lull in “when is the next celebration or observance.” It is a nice time to just focus on Shabbat weekly and just be present in the moment.
*
UPCOMING EVENTS
Yiddishland announces its “Beginner Judeo-Spanish (Beginner Ladino) with Esther Rute” at 9:30 a.m., Tuesdays, June 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 on Zoom. This beginning course is designed for students who are building a foundational vocabulary, learning official Ladino orthography, practicing everyday communication, and exploring Sephardi culture through songs, stories of Djoha, geography, and holidays. Click here to register.
*
Ohr Shalom Synagogue presents “Conversational Hebrew with Elisheva Edelson” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28, and August 4 on Zoom. These sessions, led by Edelson, will provide the ability to read texts, understand, and reflect on those texts. Sessions will also focus on the ability to speak, sing, read poetry, and understand modern Hebrew. Click here to register.
*
Tifereth Israel Synagogue announces its “L’hitraot, Alon Sachs: An Evening Celebrating our Shinshin” at 6 p.m., Wednesday, June 3. This event will include celebrating Sachs and the creativity, warmth, and enthusiasm that touched the lives of students, families, and more. Click here to rsvp.
*
Lawrence Family JCC announces its “17th Women of Valor” celebration at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 3. This event will include six extraordinary San Diego Jewish women. This year’s honorees are Ruth Broudy, Rhonda Fink, Kira Finkenberg, Sharyn Goodson, Karen Parry, and Debby Stauber. Click here to register.
*
Lawrence Family JCC presents “Treasures of the Jewish Music Collection” at 2 p.m., Thursday, June 4. This session will be led by Eileen Wingard, who will share a rich tapestry of Jewish musical heritage with special guest Jerusalem-born Sari Esserman. Click here to rsvp.
*
Beth Jacob Congregation announces its “Community Picnic” at noon, Sunday, June 14, at Princess Del Cerro Park. The event includes volleyball, basketball, rollerblading, hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, brownies, watermelon, and more. Click here to register.
*
Tifereth Israel Synagogue announces its “Volunteer Shabbat: Honoring Passion, Purpose, and People” at 6:15 p.m., Friday, June 12. This event includes honoring its TIS volunteers whose dedication, generosity, and spirit help strengthen the community throughout the year. Complimentary BBQ includes hot dogs, hamburgers, and veggie options. Click here to rsvp.
*
Torah High School presents “Aladdin Jr” at 7 p.m., Sunday, June 14, at Lawrence Family JCC. This women’s only event will feature Disney production. Click here to purchase tickets.
*
Congregation Beth El announces its “Plaza Prayer” at 6:15 p.m., Friday, June 26. This event includes an outside gathering of an informal prayer service accompanied by Craig Parks, who will join David Lipsitz and the rabbis for an upbeat Kabbalat Shabbat service. Click here to register.
*
CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
Downtown’s Jewish Women’s Circle presents its “Ladies Birthday Event” at 4 p.m., Sunday, May 31, at the Hot Spot Pottery Painting Candle Making and More. This women’s event will celebrate the May birthdays in the community. Click here to rsvp.
*
Carmel Valley announces its “Jewish Insights: A Taste of the Rebbe’s Teachings: Ethics of Our Fathers” at 6:30 p.m., Monday, June 1. This week’s session, led by Rabbi Mendel Polichenco, discusses humanity before ideology, three sayings that reveal the secret of Hillel’s enduring wisdom: an inclusive approach, self-awareness, and the understanding that success is the greatest test of all. Click here to rsvp.
*
East County announces its “Torah Studies: Restrain or Transform?” at 7:15 p.m., Wednesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24, and July 1. This week’s session, led by Rabbi Rafi Andrusier, discusses the balance between holding back and growing forward. Click here to register.
*
University City’s Men’s Club presents its “Soulfire Event” at 8 p.m., Monday, June 15. This men’s event will focus on Rosh Chodesh Tammuz/Summer Nights, Longer days, stronger light, and explore what it means to know something and not live it. Click here to rsvp.
*
University City announces its “July 4th Weekend BBQ” at 5 p.m., Friday, July 3. This community pre-Shabbat event will include food, music, and American-themed activities. Click here to rsvp.
*
Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.