By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
As summer charges on, the 15th of Av, corresponding to Wednesday July 29, is known as the Jewish “Sadie Hawkins Day” It’s a time when matchmakers are busy working their magic and pairing up couples. Weddings are often held on this day. Tu B’Av is known as the Jewish holiday of love.
Tu B’Av marks the end of the summer sessions in the yeshivas of Poland, and thousands of students and instructors meet up at the open-air fairs to celebrate the end of the semester.
I often wonder in the aftermath of Comic-Con what interesting items the clean-up crews find. A missing glove, a broken weapon from a cosplay costume, or a mask that fell out of someone’s backpack. I do hope they did their part and threw away their trash, and we were good hosts, and our guests were good guests.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Beth Jacob Congregation announces its “Halacha: Happy Hour with Sushi and Beer” at 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29. This event will be led by Rabbi Baruch Frankel who will discuss the experience of learning from Gemarah to practical Halacha. This week’s sessions will focus on the topic of reheating food on Shabbos.
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Young Israel of San Diego presents its “Taam Dagan (Or Eating Like a Mensch): Halachot and Hashkafot Related to Food in the Weekly Parsha” at 8 p.m., Thursdays, July 30, on Zoom. Click here to rsvp and receive the Zoom link.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue announces its “Shabbat B’Shira: Shabbat of Song with Rabbi Hanan and Ariel” at 6:15 p.m., Friday, July 31. This musical Kabbalat Shabbat led by Rabbi Hanan and Ariel will create a uniquely uplifting and inspiring prayer experience. Click here for more information.
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House of Israel announces its lawn program “Summer in Tel Aviv: Celebrating HOI’s 78th Birthday” at noon, Sunday, August 2. This program includes a Shuk, Aroma ice café, food, live music, and much more.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Sisterhood presents “Sunset Shuk” at 4 p.m., Sunday, August 2. This event includes a Mediterranean outdoor market with vendors selling handmade items, bourekas food truck, and Bivouac Ciderworks for purchase. Click here to help plan for attendance.
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Chavurah Shir Ha Yam announces its “Selichot Service” at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, August 5, “Rosh Hashanah, Erev” at 6:30 p.m, on Friday, Sept. 5, Rosh Hashanah Service” at 9:30 a.m., Sept. 12, “Erev Yom Kippur, Kol Nidre” at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 20 and at 10 a.m., Monday, Sept. 21, followed by a catered break the fast at around 7 p.m. These services will be led by Rabbi Diane Elliot and local lay leaders. Click here for more information and to receive the address.
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San Diego International Jewish Film Festival will show Frontier at 5:15 p.m., Monday, August 10 at the Carlsbad City Library. This film takes place in 1943 after Franco seals the Pyrenees to Jews fleeing Nazi persecution; border official Manel Grau defies orders to help refugees escape. Click here for tickets.
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Beth Jacob Congregation Elul Series presents “The Four Elements of Teshuvah” at 8:15 p.m., starting Tuesdays, August 18. This 5-part series led by Brandon Fisher is open to all searching for a transformational Elul. Click here for more information.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
East County announces a new season of Torah Studies “Happiness is Learned” starting Wednesdays, July 15, until September 23, all sessions led by Rabbi Rafi Andrusier. “The Night of Opportunity: The Magic of Evening Torah Study” at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 29. This session will discover how the quiet of the night can deepen Torah study and transform thinking. Click here to sign up.
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La Costa reports a Minyan is needed at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 30. A quorum of 10 Jewish men over 13 years old is needed so kaddish can be recited on a yahrzeit. Click here if able to help in this mitzvah.
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University City’s Men’s Club presents its “Men’s Soulfire Event” on Thursday, July 30. This men’s event will be celebrating the birthdays of Rabbi Effy Kahn, Raphael Meno, and Jeremy Kahan. The focus will be on bad stress, fear, family, friends, purpose, meaning, and what life hands us all at once. Click here to register.
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Chula Vista announces “Shabbat Experience: Services and Kiddush Lunch” at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 1. This event includes an explanatory and engaging service, open to all men and women regardless of affiliation or prior level of knowledge. Click here to rsvp.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Maccabi USA reports Rancho Bernardo athlete Katherine Phillips won two gold medals at the 2026 Maccabiah Games. Competing in the Masters age group, the 45-year-old captured gold medals in both the half marathon and the open water swim, showcasing her versatility across two demanding endurance events. Her victories helped Maccabi USA earn more than 300 medals across dozens of sports during one of Maccabi USA’s most successful Maccabiah Games in recent history.
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Women of Congregation Beth Israel report that its “Honey from the Heart” fundraiser is now accepting orders. Proceeds from this fundraiser will help support the Beth Israel community with camperships, scholarships, B’nai Mitzvah gifts, Caring Community, programming efforts, and provide tzedakah. Click here to place your order by Sunday, August 16.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.