APRIL
-28-
Ner Tamid Synagogue reports its “Mitzvah of the Month” will be providing sack lunches for Interfaith Services of Escondido at 11:15 a.m., Monday, April 28. Click here to sign up to donate items.
-29-
Anti-Defamation League San Diego will discuss its 2024 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents at 1 p.m., Tuesday, April 29. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from San Diego Regional Director Fabienne Perlov and ADL West Director of Incident Response and Law Enforcement Initiatives Matt Brown for a discussion on the data, how ADL is monitoring and addressing antisemitism at the local, state and national levels, and how we can all take action. Click here to register.
“Yom HaZikaron: Israel’s Memorial Day” at 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 29, at Lawrence Family JCC. This event is Israel’s Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror. The ceremony will include personal stories and moments of reflection as attendees stand in solidarity with Israel and honor those who have died. Click here to register.
-30-
“Celebrate Israel: Yom HaAtzmaut Music Festival” at 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 30, at the Lawrence Family JCC. The evening will include live music, dancing, food, games, family fun and Israeli pride. Click here to register.
SCY High School announces its “Annual Yom Ha’atzmaut Communal Tefillah and Celebration” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 30. Click here for more information.
MAY
-1-
Congregation Beth El invites the community to attend its “Yom Ha’atzmaut Celebration” at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, May 1. The evening includes Israeli dinner and Israeli dancing. The children’s choir will perform, and the evening will conclude with birthday cake for Israel and singing of Hatikvah. Click here to register.
Tifereth Israel Synagogue invites the community to attend its “Yom HaAtzmaut: Celebrate Israel” at 5:45 p.m., Thursday, May 1. The evening includes celebrating Israel’s 77th anniversary of Independence, music, dancing and dinner. Click here to make your reservation.
Beth Jacob Congregation invites the community to attend its “A Halachic Perspective on Politics and Fact Checking with Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff” at 8 p.m., Thursday, May 1. The event will include Scholar-in-Residence Kaganoff, who is the author of eleven books and hundreds of articles on rabbinic scholarship, cholent, kugel and more.
-2-
Coastal Roots Farm announces its “Sacred Melodies: A Shabbat Gathering to Sing, Learn, and Feast with Guest Artist Mikey Pauker” at 5:30 p.m., Friday, May 2. Pauker will lead attendees in music, prayer, and followed by a vegetarian/pescatarian potluck dinner. Click here to sign up.
Congregation Beth Am invites the community to attend its “Shabbat for Israel” at 6 p.m., Friday, May 2. The event includes a campfire Shabbat service, Shabbat dinner, Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration and a presentation about Jewish National Fund. Click here to register.
-3-
Chula Vista invites the community to its “Shabbat at Chabad” at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 3. The event includes morning service, Torah reading followed by a Kiddush luncheon.
-4-
Coastal Roots Farm announces its “From Soil to Soul: Farm Camp for the Grown Ups” at 9:30 a.m., Sunday May 4 to Tuesday, May 6 with the opportunity to attend all three days or Sunday only. This event includes learning about regenerative agriculture, farm-fresh food, nature-inspired art, earth-based Judaism, and climate education. Materials, lunch, drinks and snacks included. Click here to register.
Ohr Shalom Synagogue will partner with I Love a Clean San Diego for a “Playa Pacifica Park Beach Clean Up” at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 4 at Playa Pacifica Mission Bay. Attendees will sign a waiver at the event. Click here to sign up.
-5-
Coastal Roots Farm announces its “From Soil to Soul: Farm Camp for the Grown Ups” at 9:30 a.m., Sunday May 4 to Tuesday, May 6 with the opportunity to attend all three days or Sunday only. This event includes learning about regenerative agriculture, farm-fresh food, nature-inspired art, earth-based Judaism, and climate education. Materials, lunch, drinks and snacks included. Click here to register.
-6-
Coastal Roots Farm announces its “From Soil to Soul: Farm Camp for the Grown Ups” at 9:30 a.m., Sunday May 4 to Tuesday, May 6 with the opportunity to attend all three days or Sunday only. This event includes learning about regenerative agriculture, farm-fresh food, nature-inspired art, earth-based Judaism, and climate education. Materials, lunch, drinks and snacks included. Click here to register.
Downtown invites the community to its “Monthly Lecture Series: Remember Us – The Holocaust with Sandra Scheller” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 6. Scheller will share her mission to preserve the history of the Holocaust and advocate for Holocaust education. Click here to rsvp.
-8-
East County invites women in the community to attend its “Jewish Women’s Circle: Torah and Tea” at noon, Thursday, May 8. This monthly meet up will include exploring the Sefirat Haomer. Click here to rsvp.
-9-
Congregation B’nai Tikvah invites the community to attend its “Yom HaZikaron Celebration” at 6 p.m., Friday, May 9 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Encinitas. The evening will celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel and members will share stories of trips to Israel.
-11-
At La Costa invites the community to its “Jewish Learning Institute: Colorful Profiles: Short Stories of Extraordinary and Unexpected Characters from Jewish History” at 7 p.m., beginning Tuesday, May 11. These four classes will chronicle the stories of 12 Jews whose stories are not necessarily famous in the hopes of learning more about the issues facing Jews today. Click here to register.
-12-23-
Jewish Journey in Lithuania and Latvia Led by Professor Yale Strom and Elizabeth Schwartz is accepting registrations for the May 12-23, 2025, trip. This culturally rich tour of Lithuania and Riga, Latvia was once 40% Jewish, and the entire country was once 10% Jewish. As many as 1 million Americans have ancestral roots from Lithuania – many of them Jews. Strom and Schwartz will also perform klezmer/Yiddush concerts with local professional musicians. Click here to register by July 1 and save $100 per person.
-14-
American Technion Society announces its “Technion, Israel, and the Jewish People: A Special Evening with Rabbi David Wolpe” at 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 14 in the La Jolla area. Wolpe will discuss the complexities of being Jewish in a polarized world and the impact of antisemitism on the global academic landscape. Click here to register and receive address.
Congregation Beth Am announces its “Jewish Heritage Celebration Night at the San Diego Padres Game” at 6:40 p.m., Wednesday, May 14 at Petco Park. The San Diego Padres will be playing against the Anaheim Angels. The night includes a limited-edition themed belt bag and a reversible retro bucket hat (first 40,000 fans). Click here to reserve your tickets.
-15-
Poway invites the community to attend its “Lag B’Omer Bonfire and BBQ” at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 15. The event includes music, food and friends. Click here for more information.
-15-25-
San Diego International Fringe Festival presents Oy, What They Said About Love: Featuring Steve Budd starting Thursday, May 15 until Sunday, May 25 at New Destiny-Lincoln Park. Budd is an award-winning solo performer who wonders why other people can tie the knot and he can’t. Budd plays a dozen characters and weaves in his heartfelt and hilarious search for “the one.” Click here to purchase tickets and show times.
-18-
Hadassah San Diego invites the community to attend its “2nd Annual Walkathon” at 8:30 a.m., Sunday, May 18 at Lake Miramar Trail. Walk in solidarity to raise funds to rehabilitate the people of Israel. Organizers encourage attendees to dress in festive athleisure Hadassah red attire or click here to purchase your own Hadassah Walkathon gear. Click here to register and receive meeting location.
Ohr Shalom Synagogue invites the community to attend its “Blood Drive Hosted by the San Diego Blood Bank” at 9 a.m., Sunday, May 18. All those that donate receive a complimentary Soapy Joe’s car wash coupon valued at $25. Click here to schedule an appointment, walk-ins are welcome.
Congregation Beth Am’s Women’s Circle announces “Sunday Funday! Mini-Golf with the Girls” at 10 a.m., Sunday, May 18. The event includes mini-golf, lunch and fun. Click here to register and receive location.
Coastal Roots Farm announces its “Taste of the Farm: Celebrating a Decade in Bloom” at 5 p.m., Sunday, May 18. The event includes a farm-to-fork benefit featuring local chefs, curated bites, craft drinks and live music. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
San Diego Hebrew Day School announces its “Gala of Gratitude: Hakarat Hatov” at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, May 18 at the Julep Venue. The evening will celebrate the teaching legacy of Rebbetzin Betty Weiser, a”h and honor Rabbi Simcha Weiser for 43 years of leadership. Click here to rsvp.
-24-
Beth Jacob Congregation invites the community to attend its Farewell Gala to Honor Rabbi Avram and Rebbetzin Leah Bogopulsky with save the dates of Saturday, May 24 Synagogue Luncheon and at 4:30 p.m., Monday, May 26 Gala Dinner. The events include a celebration of the legacy of 29 years of devotion to Beth Jacob Congregation and community. Click here to register. The organizers of these events have requested photos of Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, and weddings that Rabbi Bogopulsky has officiated to use for the Gala decorations. Click here to email photos.
-25-
Congregation Adat Yeshurun invites the community to attend its “38th Year and Honor IDF Heroes Gala” at 5 p.m., Sunday, May 25. The evening includes a celebration of 38 years as a congregation, sharing in the festivities of Yom Yerushalayim and honor Adat’s own IDF heroes, both present and past. Click here for more information.
-26-
Beth Jacob Congregation invites the community to attend its Farewell Gala to Honor Rabbi Avram and Rebbetzin Leah Bogopulsky with save the dates of Saturday, May 24 Synagogue Luncheon and at 4:30 p.m., Monday, May 26 Gala Dinner. The events include a celebration of the legacy of 29 years of devotion to Beth Jacob Congregation and community. Click here to register. The organizers of these events have requested photos of Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, and weddings that Rabbi Bogopulsky has officiated to use for the Gala decorations. Click here to email photos.
-29-
Jewish Federation of San Diego’s Women’s Philanthropy presents “Brunch Club After Dark” at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 29. The evening includes uplifting mini-wellness sessions led by local experts. Sessions include Metabolism Makeover, Chair Yoga with Brooke Kettering and Guided Journaling with Hannah Prager. Click here to register.
-31-
Lawrence Family JCC announces its “80 Years of Growing Together” at 6 p.m., Saturday, May 31. The event includes a silent auction, libations, Havdalah and a concert celebrating 80 years of strength and inclusivity. Click here to register.
JUNE
-1-
Congregation Dor Hadash invites the community to attend its “Shavuot Celebration and Heartfelt Tribute to Rabbi Yael Ridberg” at 4 p.m., Sunday, June 1. The event includes honoring Ridberg for her contributions to the Dor Hadash community, opportunities to learn, and refreshments. More details to come. Click here to volunteer.
-7-
Congregation Beth Israel invites the community to attend its “Big Top: Annual Fundraiser” at 6 p.m., Saturday, June 7. The evening includes cocktails, dinner, strolling performers Havdalah and a spellbinding performance by Kevin Viner, mentalist while raising money for a good cause. Click here to purchase tickets.
-15-
Torah High School presents “Newsies Jr.” at 7 p.m., Sunday, June 15 at Lawrence Family JCC. This production is for women only. Click here to purchase tickets.
-22-29-
Jewish Federation of San Diego encourages current 9th graders to apply to its “Global Ambassador Program Travel to Mexico City” Sunday, June 22 – Sunday, June 29. The Global Ambassador Program is a unique, highly competitive subsidized travel experience designed exclusively for Jewish 9th graders to connect with Jewish life beyond San Diego. Click here to apply.
-23-August 1-
Chabad of Poway’s Camp Gan Izzy is accepting applications for children ages 4-13. Camp is in session from Monday, June 23 through Friday, August 1. The camp includes a flexible schedule, sibling discount, kosher hot lunch available, early and aftercare available, shuttle from Poway, three field trips every week, swim and water activities and is located at the North County Mall. Click here to register.
OCTOBER
-19-30-
Ayelet Tours announces a new tour “Tracing Our Roots: A Jewish Heritage Journey Through Eastern Europe Led by Professor Yale Strom and Elizabeth Schwartz” October 19 to October 30, 2025. This tour will take attendees to Poland and Czech Republic visiting towns such as Lodz, Brno and Pilsen. Strom and Schwartz will add their klezmer/Yiddish music to the tour as well as participating in concerts with other professional musicians in Krakow, Bnro, and Prague. Click here for more details.
*
Please send your Jewish community calendar items and announcements to assistant editor Cailin Acosta via cailin.acosta@sdjewishworld.com