By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
From ancient dice games to modern lotteries and casinos, gambling has raised questions in Jewish tradition about ethics, responsibility, and the proper use of money. Although Jewish law does not explicitly prohibit all gambling, rabbinic authorities have long debated its permissibility and warned of its potential harms.
The Mishnah rules that dice players may be disqualified from serving as witnesses. The Talmud offers two explanations: professional gamblers contribute nothing productive to society, while gambling may constitute theft because losers surrender money they would prefer to keep.
Rabbinic opinions also differ on lotteries. The late Sephardic Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef argued that buying lottery tickets could constitute theft, while Rabbi Ovadia Hedaya permitted them, reasoning that winnings come from a shared pool. Charitable lotteries and raffles have generally received greater acceptance.
Beyond legal questions, Jewish authorities have warned that gambling can damage families, finances, and spiritual life. Today, organizations such as Beit T’Shuvah, a Jewish residential treatment center in Los Angeles, offer help for gambling addiction.
Despite differing opinions on specific forms of gambling, Jewish teachings emphasize personal responsibility and the importance of protecting family and community well-being.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Beth Jacob Congregation announces its “Adventures in Bereshis with Brandon Fisher” at 7 p.m., Tuesdays, October 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17, 24. These sessions will discuss life-changing insights for personal growth and everyday life from the first book of the Torah. Click here to join the WhatsApp for updates.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue announces “Mah Jongg Lessons” at noon on Wednesdays, October 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18, and December 2. This is a six-week session to learn how to play Mah Jongg in a fun, welcoming environment. If you are new to the game or have always wanted to learn, this is a great opportunity to learn the basics, meet new people, and enjoy a game that brings people together across generations. Click here for more details.
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Beth Jacob Congregation presents its “Halacha: Happy Hour with Sushi and Beer” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21. These sessions are led by Rabbi Baruch Frankel, who will explore learning from Gemara to practical halacha.
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Young Israel of San Diego presents “Let’s Talk Parsha with Rabbi Eddie Rosenberg” at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 22 at San Diego Kollel. This event is a weekly parsha discussion and will be held in person and on Zoom.
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San Diego Center for Jewish Culture announces its “Treasures of the Jewish Music Collection: Explore the Music of the Astor Judaica Library” at 2 p.m., Thursdays, October 29, December 3, February 25, April 15, and May 13, at the Lawrence Family JCC. Eileen Wingard and a community of music aficionados will showcase and appreciate iconic musical gems from the Astor Judaica Library’s Jewish music collection from Russia’s Jewish Folksong Society, French-Jewish Composers, and more. Click here to register.
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San Diego Center for Jewish Culture’s East County Lecture Series presents “Beyond Hate: The Story of a Recovering Skinhead with Frank Meeink” at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 3 at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. Meeink will share his journey from neo-Nazi skinhead to activist, recovery advocate, and devoted Jew. His story of confronting hatred, embracing Judaism, and working against extremism and racism is a powerful testament to accountability, redemption, and change. Click here to register.
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Shalomaland presents its “Walking Tour of San Diego’s Jewish History” at 10:30 a.m., Thursdays, November 5, December 10, January 14, and February 18 and various locations around San Diego. Guided by Dr. Joellyn Zollman, this four-session series journeys through key Jewish sites across the city, bringing to life the stories, people, and places that helped shape San Diego’s Jewish community. November 5: Louis Rose Point at Liberty Station, Point Loma, with a walking tour of the former naval training center. December 10: Temple Beth Israel at Heritage Park in Old Town with a walking tour of Jewish historical sites and San Diego’s first synagogue. January 14: Ohr Shalom Synagogue, Balboa Park, and Banker’s Hill with a walking tour of Beth Israel’s second home and what life was like for San Diego’s Jewish community after World War II. February 18: Jews as Insiders, Outsiders and Innovators in La Jolla with a walking tour of Jewish life in La Jolla and North County from the 20th century to the present day. Click here to register.
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Lawrence Family JCC announces its “Art of Intentional Parenting: Fewer Power Struggles, More Connection” at 6:30 a.m., Thursday, November 12. This session is co-led by Rabbi and Rebbetzin Geiger and Debbie Zeichnew, LCSW, who will discuss how Judaism’s wisdom teaches kavod (respect) and Shalom Bayit (peace in the home). Click here to register.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue presents its “Shabbaton Weekend with Spiritual Musician Yoel Sykes” at 5:45 p.m. Friday, November 13, and 7 p.m. Saturday, November 14. Friday’s event includes Shabbat services and dinner, and Saturday’s event includes Havdalah and a concert. Click here to register.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue announces Save the Dates for its “Annual Gala: Honoring Mark and Janice Baker” at 6 p.m., Saturday, February 27 and “Bagels and Bubbles: Family Brunch” at 11 a.m., Sunday, February 28.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
Downtown announces its “Jewish Insights” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20. This session will include inspiration, learning, connection, and growth. Torah study class that is open to men and women. Click here to rsvp.
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University City presents its “Kabbalah and the Hidden Architecture of You with Rabbi Effy Kahn” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, October 20. Kahn will lead these six lessons on reincarnation, soulmates, dreams, names, and what these mysteries reveal about the hidden design of your life. Click here to sign up.
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Downtown’s Rosh Chodesh Society announces its “Nest Genesis: A Monthly Educational Series for Women” at 7 p.m., Wednesdays, October 21, November 11, January 13, February 10, March 10, April 7, and May 5. This women’s event will feature thought-provoking learning, meaningful conversations, and inspiring connections. Click here to rsvp.
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East County announces its “Challah Babies: Shabbat Edition” at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, October 22. This event is for babies 0-3 years old and will include making challah with your little one, creative sensory activities, and building connections. Click here to rsvp.
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Coastal Chabads Women’s Group presents “Caffeine for the Soul: Elevate Your Daily Grind” at 1 p.m., Thursday, October 22. This weekly women’s discussion group will focus on Kabbalah topics. Click here to rsvp.
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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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Camp Gan Izzy announces its “Fall Break Camp” at 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday, November 23, through Wednesday, November 25. Camp is for ages 4-13 and includes baking, persimmon picking, a field trip to Bates Nut Farm, and park play at Kit Carson Park. Add-ons include hot lunches, snacks, early and after care, and transportation. Click here to register.
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ONLINE OFFERINGS
Congregation Beth Israel announces “Morning Mindfulness with Julie Potiker” at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays 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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Ohr Shalom Synagogue presents Parshat HaShavua Im Meforshim at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 21on Zoom. Rabbi Scott Meltzer will lead these weekly classes on the Torah portion through the eyes of traditional commentators. Click here to join the session.
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Anti-Defamation League Southern California announces its “Behind the Screen: Understanding and Countering Online Extremism Among Teens and Young Adults” at 1 p.m., Thursday, October 22, on Zoom. From white supremacist youth pipelines to anti-Zionist radicalization cloaked in activism, extremist recruiters meet teens in the games, chats, and apps they already use every day. Learn the warning signs and what you can do before a crisis. Click here to register.
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Holocaust Living History Workshop Series presents “Anne Frank: Her World and Ours, Featuring Ruth Franklin” at 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, on Zoom. Franklin will discuss some lesser-known aspects of the diary’s creation and reception, as well as the urgency of Anne Frank’s story in today’s society. Registration is not required, and a link to watch the talk will be emailed on Thursday, October 22.
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American Technion Society announces its “After the Vote: Michael Oren on Israel’s Future, A Webinar on Israel’s October 27 Elections” at 9 a.m. on Monday, November 2, on Zoom. Former Israeli ambassador Oren will lead this session and decode the results and explore the political forces shaping not just coalition negotiations, but Israel’s future. Discover what voting patterns reveal about a profoundly changed Israeli electorate, how three years of conflict have reshaped public opinion, and what it all means for Israel’s security, national unity, and place in the world. Click here to register.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Young Israel of San Diego reports it has extended its deadline to participate in its first-ever Community Calendar. Sponsorships help support the continued growth of the shul and may be tax-deductible. Click here to sponsor an ad before Sunday, November 1.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue reports that parents Ilan and Zoe Bielas, and grandparents Wolf and Brenda Bielas, welcomed the birth and bris of a baby boy, Diego Benjamin Bielas. Mazel Tov!
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PHILANTHROPY
SCY High School reports it is raising $300,000 in 24 hours, and with every donation received will take advantage of the generous matching funds which will be quadrupled. Click here to make a donation.
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OBITUARY NOTICE
Patricia Sarfati has died. She was the sister of Simone Lund. The funeral was held on Tuesday, October 20, in Ashkelon, Israel, Chabad of Downtown reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.