By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
We are completing the High Holy Days, culminating in the most joyous celebration, Simchat Torah. The celebration concludes the readings of the Torah and begins another cycle of readings.
In 70 CE, with the destruction of the Second Temple, Shemini Atzeret was previously devoted to the ritual cleansing of the altar. In the present day, it marks the beginning of the rainy season in Israel, so it includes the year’s first prayer for rain.
As we are heading into a dangerously hot heat wave with Santa Ana winds threatening wildfires, I will be praying for some water to please drop from the sky to relieve us; keep your four-legged family members inside if possible and check on those with no air conditioning. Also stay hydrated and out of the sun.
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Jewish MLB playoff players
The MLB playoffs are moving on to the second round. Max Fried of the New York Yankees will face the Tampa Bay Rays, and first baseman Rowdy Tellez’s Atlanta Braves will take on the Los Angeles Dodgers. Alex Bregman of the Chicago Cubs was eliminated by the San Diego Padres Wednesday, and Garrett Stubbs of the Philadelphia Phillies participated in a winning game against the Atlanta Braves, tying their series 1-1 on Thursday. On Friday, the Braves won the rubber match, eliminating the Phillies. Now the Braves go onto Los Angeles to play the Dodgers.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Ner Tamid Synagogue presents its “Family Shabbat and Simchat Torah” at 5:15 p.m., Friday, October 2. This family event includes dinner, services, rolling the Torah, and adults will leave to have dessert in a private home if children are attending the Simchat Torah Sleepover. Click here to register.
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Congregation Dor Hadash announces its “Shabbat and Simchat Torah” at 6:30 p.m., Friday, October 2. This event includes Shabbat services and dancing with the Torah. Organizers say to bring your favorite snack to share, and there will be kid- and adult-friendly beverages. Click here to sign up.
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Beth Jacob Congregation announces its “Simchas Torah: Yom Tov Potluck Dinner” after hakafos, Saturday, October 3, and “Simchas Torah: BBQ Lunch”, after hakafos, Sunday, October 4. Click here to rsvp.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue presents “Simchat Torah” at 7 p.m., Saturday, October 3. The evening event will be filled with ruach (spirit), which will include hakafot (Torah processions) for all, music, dancing, and singing led by Rabbi Hanan Leberman and ShinShin Shai, the unrolling of the Torah, and chocolate bars and apples for all. Click here for more information.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue announces its “Sukkot Open Mic Havdalah Jam” at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 3. This event will include light desserts, a Havdalah jam session followed by an open mic, a night of learning and celebrating Simchat Torah.
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Congregation Beth Israel presents its “Day of Service” at 9 a.m., Sunday, October 4. This event includes various projects such as painting, sprucing garden beds, preparing school materials, and tearing down the sukkah. Click here to rsvp. Refreshments and snacks will be provided.
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Congregation Beth Israel announces its “Mending Hearts: Finding Hope and Meaning After Loss” at 10 a.m., Session 1: Sundays, October 4, 11, 18, 25, and November 1 and 15. Session 2: Sundays, January 31, February 7, 21, 28, March 7, and 14. This small support group, facilitated by Rabbi Aliza Berk, LMFT, Jewish Educator, Chaplain, and Spiritual Director, and Gail Braverman, LMFT, Certified Art Therapist, Certified Amherst Writers and Artists Facilitator, and Yoga Instructor, will guide participants through the healing process with love and support. Click here to register.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue presents its “Miller Introduction to Judaism” at 11 a.m., Sunday, October 4. This 18-week course, led by Rabbi Hanan Leberman, will explore topics including Jewish literacy, history, tradition, denominational Judaism, the modern State of Israel, Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah), customs, ethics, culture, and Jewish wisdom, all in a setting where questions are more important than answers. Click here for more information and to register.
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Lawrence Family JCC presents its “Survey of Zionist Thought” at 10:30 a.m., Tuesdays, October 6, 13, 20, 27; November 3, 10, 17; December 1, 8, and 15. This class will be led by Rabbi Phil Graubart, who will explore the history and evolution of Zionist thought, from its early roots to today. Click here to register.
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Congregation Beth El presents its “Jewish Meditation Cohort” at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6. 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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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
Poway presents its “Simchat Torah Celebration” at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, October 3. The evening includes services followed by a salad/deli buffet and dancing with the Torah. There will be flags and candies for the children and l’chaims for the adults.
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Downtown announces its “Simchat Torah Celebration” at 7 p.m., Saturday, October 3. The event includes Hakafot, singing, dancing, and a celebration filled with finger foods throughout the evening. Click here to rsvp.
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East County announces its “Simchat Torah: Hakafot Honoring October 7 Kedoshim and IDF Soldiers” at 7 p.m., Saturday, October 3. The event will include a grand buffet dinner and l’chaims, children’s activities, flags and swag, and spirited dancing. Click here to rsvp.
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La Costa presents its ‘Simchat Torah” at 7 p.m., Saturday, October 3. This event includes Hakafot dancing with the Torah and is family-friendly. Click here to register.
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Downtown presents its “Monthly Shabbat Dinner” at 6 p.m., Friday, October 16. This event includes Shabbat services followed by dinner and celebrating Shabbat as a community. Click here to rsvp.
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East County announces its “Tanya Soul Sessions” at noon, Tuesdays, starting October 20. This weekly Torah class will discuss the what’s and whys of Judaism based on Kabbalah and Jewish philosophy and also include lunch. Click here to sign up.
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University City presents “Lior Abergil Lecture” at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, October 22. Abergil was crowned Miss World in 1998, is an advocate and international speaker, and featured in the Emmy-nominated documentary Brave Miss World. She will share her journey of courage, resilience, and hope. Click here to register.
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East County presents “Tal Ramon: Son of Israeli Astronaut Lost on the Columbia Shuttle” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 10. This event will be led by Tal, who is the son of Israel’s first astronaut, Ilan Ramon. He will share his family’s legacy through personal storytelling and live music with an inspiring perspective on resilience and the enduring spirit of Israel. Click here to rsvp.
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ONLINE OFFERINGS
Young Israel of San Diego presents “Let’s Talk Parsha with Rabbi Eddie Rosenberg” at 8:30 p.m., starting Monday, October 5 at San Diego Kollel and on Zoom.
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Yiddish Book Center announces “Memoir Writing Then and Now: Reading and Writing with Rokhl Feygenberg’s The Winding Road” at 4 p.m., Tuesdays, October 6, 13, 20, and 27 on Zoom. Each week, participants will read a section of the book and explore its themes in depth. Then, participants will use themes as prompts for their own memoir writing, with weekly prompts on such topics as: transformative power of genre fiction; how illness changes family dynamics; and the loneliness of being caught between tradition and freedom. Click here to register.
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Congregation Beth Israel announces “Morning Mindfulness with Julie Potiker” at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7, on Zoom. Potiker will lead these sessions to start the day and move from a place of fear to a place of calm. In these sessions, participants will experience bringing their attention to the present moment without judgment. Click here to register.
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PHILANTHROPY
Hillel of San Diego reports that Sharon and David Wax have generously offered to match the first $50,000 in donations to its Back-to-School Bash paddle raise. That means $180 will become $360. $1,000 becomes $2,000 and so on. As part of the event, they will be holding Raise the Paddle at the event next Saturday night. Click here to donate.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
El Paso Holocaust Museum reports the passing of 98-year-old Tibor Schaechner, the last Holocaust survivor in El Paso, Texas. He built a successful career and was a vital part of the community and the El Paso Holocaust Museum. Through his testimony, he educated thousands of students and adults about the Holocaust, its lasting consequences, and the urgent responsibility to stand up against hatred, antisemitism, and indifference. He leaves behind his three children, four stepchildren, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
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Linda Greenstein has died. She was the grandmother of Adrienne Levin (Noah Alpern), and great-grandmother of Lyla and Zoe Alpern. The funeral will be held in Arizona, Ner Tamid Synagogue reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.