By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
Does Shabbat bread have to be traditional braided challah? According to Rabbi Ethan Tucker of Yeshivat Hadar, cornbread can qualify if at least one-eighth of its ingredients come from one of the five traditional grains: wheat, barley, spelt, oats, or rye. The bread must also be eaten as a substantial part of the meal to qualify for the blessings of hamotzi and birkat hamazon.
George Greenstein, author of Secrets of a Jewish Baker, recommends using 1½ cups of wheat flour and ½ cup of cornmeal.
The takeaway: Challah does not have to be braided or sweet. With the right ingredients, cornbread can also have a place at the Shabbat table.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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Ner Tamid Synagogue presents its “Shabbaton Weekend with Spiritual Musician Yoel Sykes” at 5:45 p.m. on 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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Congregation Dor Hadash announces “Yoel Sykes for a Joyful Musical Prayer Experience” at 9 a.m. on Sunday, November 15. Sykes is known for his uplifting music and engaging participatory facilitation. Through song and prayer, Sykes creates spaces for connection, inspiration, and joy. Click here to register.
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Congregation Beth Israel announces its “Mending Hearts: Finding Hope and Meaning After Loss” at 10 a.m., Session 1: Sunday, November 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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Ohr Shalom Synagogue announces its “Adult Education Speaker Series with Jared Aarons of Channel 10News San Diego”, at 10 a.m. on Sunday, November 15. Aarons will discuss how Jews and the Jewish religion are portrayed in the news from television to social media.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue presents its “Miller Introduction to Judaism” at 11 a.m., Sunday, November 15. 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 announces “Day of American Mah Jongg with Michele Frizzell” at 10 a.m., Monday, November 16. This event will be led by Frizzell, a renowned instructor, author of the American Mah Jongg Primer series, and YouTube Mah Jongg star with over 46,000 subscribers. She will share tips to boost your game, followed by an opportunity to play alongside her. Click here to register.
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Beth Jacob Congregation announces its “Semichas Chaver: Revolutionize Your Torah Learning with Rabbi Baruch Frankel” Monday, November 16. These weekly sessions led by Frankel will include the most common halachos that arise daily, take-home question-and-answer sessions to discuss at your Shabbat table, and an understanding of the ethical and philosophical background of the halachos. Click here to register.
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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, November 16 at San Diego Kollel and on Zoom.
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Lawrence Family JCC presents its “Survey of Zionist Thought” at 10:30 a.m., Tuesdays, November 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, November 17. 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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Beth Jacob Congregation announces its “Adventures in Bereshis with Brandon Fisher” at 7 p.m., Tuesdays, November 17 and 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 its “Torah on Tap” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 18. This event, led by Rabbi Hanan Leberman, includes pizza, a cold beverage, engaging learning, conversation, and exploring Jewish learning. Click here for more information.
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Congregation Beth Israel’s Speaker’s Forum and Dinner announces its “More Than a Conversation: The Power of Human Connection at House of Israel” at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18. This event, led by Stephanie Nisan, president of the House of Israel in Balboa Park, will share how meaningful, one-on-one conversations with visitors from around the world are building bridges, challenging misconceptions, and creating powerful human connections. Click here to register.
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Young Israel of San Diego presents “Shabbat Community Dinner” at 4:30 p.m., Friday, November 20. This event includes Shabbat services and Shabbat dinner. Click here to register.
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Temple Emanu-El announces its “Interfaith Thanksgiving Service” at 5 p.m., Sunday, November 22, at San Carlos United Methodist Church. This event will include an interfaith service followed by a pie and dessert reception. More details to follow.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue announces its “San Diego Blood Bank Blood Drive” at 9 a.m., Sunday, December 13. This event will include the mitzvah of saving lives by donating blood, and all in attendance will receive a holiday-edition Disney T-shirt. Click here to register.
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Temple Emanu-El announces its save-the-date “Boots and Bling Gala” on Saturday, February 27. More details to follow.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
Chula Vista presents its “Kids Chanukah Workshop at Home Depot” at 11 a.m. on Sunday, November 15, at Eastlake Home Depot. Children can build their own dreidel game board and enjoy Chanukah treats. Click here to register.
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University City’s Jewish Women’s Circle announces its “Pour and Glow: Women’s Candle Workshop” at 7:30 p.m., Monday, November 16. Women are invited to pour their own Chanukah candles with Sandy from Linoy Boutique Candles, plus a latke bar. Click here to register.
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East County presents its “Tanya Soul Sessions” at noon, Tuesday, November 17. These weekly sessions, led by Rabbi Rafi Andrusier, will focus on weekly Torah on the whats and whys of Judaism based on Kabbalah and Jewish philosophy. Click here to register.
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Downtown announces its “Jewish Insights” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17. 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. on Tuesday, November 17. 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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La Costa presents “Kabbalah and the Hidden Architecture of You with Rebbetzin Nechama Eilfort” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17. Eilfort 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 register.
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East County’s Jewish Women’s Circle announces its “Torah and Tea” at noon, Thursday, November 19. This monthly session, led by Rebbetzin Chaya Andrusier, will focus on the gratitude mindset and the ancient Jewish wisdom for a modern life. Click here to rsvp.
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East County presents its “Shabbat Friday Night Dinner” at 4:26 p.m., Friday, November 20. This community event includes Shabbat services followed by dinner. Click here to rsvp.
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Poway announces its “Kiddush Honoring Our Veterans” on Saturday, November 21. This event will honor our Veterans in appreciation of their service and sacrifice.
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Downtown’s Jewish Women’s Circle announces its “Menorahs and Martinis” at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 2. This women’s event includes creating your own granite Menorah and martinis. Click here to rsvp.
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ONLINE OFFERINGS
Kveller presents “Mapping the Infinite: The Art and Journeys of Benjamin Sacks” at 3 p.m. on Monday, November 16, on Zoom. This session, led by Sacks, will discuss the hand-drawn world of cities and labyrinths, inspired by his globe-trotting journeys as well as historical cartography and architectural drawings. Click here to register.
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My Jewish Learning announces its “Ethiopian Jewish History: From Ancient Origins to Today” at 4 p.m. on Monday, November 16 on Zoom. This six-week course led by Steven Kaplan, professor emeritus at Hebrew University, will explore travel across time and space from ancient Africa to modern-day Israel, learning about Ethiopian Jewish customs, traditions, and heroism along the way. Click here to register.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.