Erev Rosh Hashanah falls on Friday, September 11, which is an emotional day for all Americans.
The 9/11 story is the account of four coordinated terrorist hijackings by 19 al‑Qaeda militants on September 11, 2001, which killed nearly 3,000 people and targeted two buildings of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a fourth site thwarted by passengers.
We all have our stories of where we were at that exact time. I can remember Howard Stern on the radio breaking the news to me as I was in the shower getting ready for high school. My Mom overheard and said it was not okay to make jokes. I said I think we need to turn on the TV, and we both saw the second plane crash into the second tower.
Many people do not like Stern, but he cracked me up in the early mornings of high school, college, and on Sirius radio in grad school and during my early career.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Temple Beth Shalom presents “A Community Conversation: Pulling the Roots of Antisemitism: A Jewish-Christian Dialogue” at 7 p.m., Saturday, September 5. This event will build understanding together through dialogue with Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel of Temple Beth Shalom, Pastor John Sorrentino of New Covenant Tabernacle, Professor Matthew Herbst, historian and professor at the University of California San Diego, and Bishop Art Hodges, who oversees 120+ churches and 250+ pastors and clergy across Southern California.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue announces its “Selichot: Let’s Talk About It” at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, September 5. This session will be led by Rabbi Hanan Leberman, who focuses on the journey of reflection, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal. Click here to rsvp.
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Congregation Beth El presents “Dinner for Rachel’s Women’s Shelter” at 4:15 p.m., Sunday, September 6. Volunteers prepare and serve Sunday dinner once a month to the residents of Rachel’s Women’s Shelter. Click here to sign up.
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Beth Jacob Congregation presents its “Rosh Hashanah Challah Bake with Shani Frankel” at 7 p.m., Sunday, September 6. This women’s-only event will include making a round challah for Rosh Hashanah with seasonal toppings and inspiration from Frankel. Click here to rsvp.
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Young Israel of San Diego presents “Let’s Talk Parsha with Rabbi Eddie Rosenberg” at 8:30 p.m., starting Monday, September 7, at San Diego Kollel and on Zoom.
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Temple Emanu-El announces its “Music with Michelle Jirkovsky” at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8. These sessions, led by Jirkovsky, include a journey through Jewish music history, from ancient melodies and cantorial greats to Broadway composers, camp songs, contemporary Jewish artists, and secular musicians with Jewish roots. Participants are encouraged to listen, learn, reminisce, sing, and share memories of the music that shaped our identities and communities. Organizers say bagels and coffee will be available. Click here to register.
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Congregation Beth El presents its “Jewish Meditation Cohort” at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8. Craig Parks will lead these sessions, which will provide going into a deeper and more spiritual practice alongside a caring community. Click here for more information.
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Congregation Beth El announces its “Celebrating Our Jewish Journey in America” at 11 a.m., Sunday, September 13. This service will include a conversation between Dr. Joellyn Zollman and Rabbi Ron Shulman as they explore the American Jewish Experience.
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Congregation Beth El presents “Modern Martyrology: Yom Kippur Afternoon” at 2 p.m., Monday, September 21. This event will welcome Sara Brown, Ph.D., San Diego Regional Director of the American Jewish Committee, who will offer insights on memory, history, and the challenges Jews confront today in a discussion with Rabbi Ron Shulman that honors the past, considers the present, and, on Yom Kippur, envisions return and renewal.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue announces its “Quarterly Shabbat Dinner” at 6 p.m., Friday, September 25. The event includes an evening of community and tradition together in the sukkah. Click here to rsvp.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Sisterhood announces its “Sukkot: Bollywood Style! TIS Sisterhood invites you to celebrate the Jews of India” at 5 p.m., Monday, September 28, at the TIS Sukkah. The event includes a three-course meal, Bollywood dancers, and henna artists. Click here to rsvp.
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MGSDII (Murray Galinson San Diego-Israel Initiative) announced its “Salon Dinner Reception: Meet the Fall Professors” at 6 p.m., Thursday, October 8, in La Jolla. The event includes a fall welcome reception for the visiting professors and salon members. Click here to rsvp and to receive the address.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
Chula Vista presents its “Rosh Hashanah Kids Honey Workshop” at 10:45 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 6. Children are invited to learn how bees make honey with an interactive presentation and tasting led by Kendal from the Sager Family Farm. The event includes decorating your own honey jar and enjoying an apple dipping bar with toppings. Click here to rsvp.
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University City’s Jewish Women’s Circle presents its “Rosh Chodesh Women’s Circle” at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, September 6 at a private home. This women’s event includes baking instruction, community, and an evening of inspiration, connection, and growth. Click here to rsvp and receive the address.
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University City presents its “Labor Day Breakfast and Lecture” at 9 a.m., Monday, September 7. This event includes Rabbi Dr. Stuart Halpern, who spoke at the White House on the Bible’s role in the American story. On Labor Day morning, over breakfast, Halpern is bringing it here. Click here to rsvp.
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University City announces its “High Holidays Course” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays, September 8, 15, and 22. This three-part course runs through the season of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, each night one idea to carry through the Days of Awe. Click here to sign up.
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Chula Vista announces its “Community Rosh Hashanah Dinner” at 6:30 p.m., Friday, September 11. Click here to rsvp.
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East County presents its “Rosh Hashanah Dinner” at 7:30 p.m., Friday, September 11. The community dinner includes celebrating, connecting, and dining. Click here to rsvp.
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Chula Vista presents its “Shofar in the Park: Express Shofar and Tashlich Service for all ages” at 6:15 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 13 at Mountain Hawk Park. Click here to rsvp.
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AROUND THE COUNTRY
El Paso Holocaust Museum announces its “Celebrating the Incredible Life of Dr. Edith Eger” at 2 p.m., Sunday, October 18. Eger was a resident in La Jolla, California but before that lived in El Paso, Texas. This event will feature a special presentation of Eger’s testimony as part of the Dimensions in Testimony exhibition. Organizers say to wear your favorite colorful scarf in honor of Eger. Click here to rsvp and to receive the location.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.