LA MESA, California – As June is ending, I was curious to see what awareness days are left to acknowledge.
Rabbit Awareness Week is acknowledged in the last week of June. Who would have known? I would ask my 6.5-year-old Angora rabbit Freckles, but every day is a rabbit awareness day, and she lets everyone know who owns the house. No one is safe when you open the fridge door, she comes hopping out of her hiding spot, awakened from a nap, and expects a snack, or your toes might get bitten, or your legs will get paws on them.
I am excited to attend the San Diego County Fair this week with my “super cool teenagers” and check out the animals. My heart will melt if there are any rabbits to pet. However, I will get stared down when we get home from the smell of someone she hasn’t met, and she might ignore me until I change my clothes.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Ohr Shalom Synagogue invites the community to celebrate Shabbat and the 4th of July at 6:15 p.m., Friday, July 4. The event includes Kabbalat Shabbat services followed by hot dogs. Click here to rsvp.
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The Lipinsky Family’s JFest 2025 Women of Valor will have an encore performance at 3 p.m., Sunday, July 13 at New Village Arts. This year’s honorees include Tina Beranbaum, Becky Cherlin Baird, Silvana Christy, Dr. Laurie Greenberg, Lori Kaye (z”l), and Rabbi Yael Ridberg. Click here for tickets.
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Young Israel of San Diego presents “Jesus Was a Jew, But Can a Jew be for Jesus? With Rabbi Tovia Singer” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 15. Singer is an author and director of Outreach Judaism and will lead this lecture. Click here to register.
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Beth Jacob Congregation announces its “Shabbos Chazon and Tisha B’av 5785 Scholar in Residence: Rabbi Mordechai Becher” from Friday, August 1 until Sunday, August 3.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
Carmel Valley invites the community to attend a special screening of Tragic Awakening: A New Look at the Oldest Hatred at 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 1. This film discusses the post-October 7 rethinking of antisemitism’s roots, turning hatred into strength for Jewish identity and Western values. Following the screening a question-and-answer conversation with Nitzan Bergman, author of The Jewish Mission. Click here to rsvp.
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Encinitas announces Rabbi Elia Eilfort will give a small speech and blessing at the grand reopening of the Walmart Encinitas at 8 a.m., Wednesday, July 2.
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La Costa invites the community to its “Friday Night BBQ Bounty: Celebrating Independence Day and Shabbat” at 7 p.m., Friday, July 4. The event includes a traditional 4th of July barbeque, communal candle lighting, evening services, and fireworks from nearby areas. Click here to register.
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East County’s Jewish Women’s Circle presents its “Torah and Tea” at noon, on Thursday, July 10. Women in the community are invited to this session led by Rebbetzin Chaya Andrusier on the “Timeless Art of Trusting in Hashem”. Click here to rsvp.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Sisterhood installed its board for the 2025-2026 term on Wednesday, June 25. The Executive Board includes President Barbara Sperling; Executive Vice President Charlotte Freifeld; Program Vice President Olga Worm; Financial Secretary Rochelle Rubinstein; Membership Vice Presidents Co-Chairs Michele Nowicki and Nili Mathews; Corresponding Secretary: Email and Recording Secretary: me, Cailin Acosta; Handwritten Alana Knopov; Development Vice Presidents Co-Chairs: Judy Shear and Judy Gumbiner; and Treasurer Danielle Towne. Mazel Tov!
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Women of Congregation Beth Israel reports its “Honey from the Heart” fundraiser has started. Proceeds from the purchase of this 8-ounce jar of honey support the Beth Israel community with camperships, scholarships, B’nai Mitzvah gifts, Caring Community, programming efforts, and tzedakah. Click here to place an order by Monday, August 4 to receive free shipping.
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Anti-Defamation League San Diego reports its “Glass Leadership Institute” applications for the class of 2025 are now open through Monday, August 4. GLI participants will engage with ADL experts in monthly, two-hour sessions and additional webinars while exploring the tools and strategies used to fight antisemitism and hate. Click here to apply or to nominate someone.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue reports its Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class cohort will be starting soon. Rabbi Ryan Newfield will lead the sessions. Click here for more information.
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Chabad at La Costa reports it is starting a Women’s Tehillim Group to meet weekly either at the shul or a private residence. Click here if interested.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Gayle Beck, wife of Harvey Beck, mother of Bryan (Lonie) Beck, Bethann Beck, and the late Brad (Jill) Beck, grandmother of Danielle (Danny Garcia) Beck, Madeline Beck, Jacob (Blair) Kalt, Olivia Beck, Benjamin Kalt, Leaf Kalt, Noah Back, Simon Beck and Levi Beck, has died. The funeral was on Sunday, June 29 at Clover Hill Park in Birmingham, Michigan. Donations can be made in Beck’s honor to Temple Shir Shalom or The National Council of Jewish Women, Congregation Beth Israel reports.
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Emily Price has died. The funeral was private. Donations in Price’s honor can be made at Hope with I.A.N., Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Alan Rubin, father of Emily (Chris) Jennewein and Sally Rubin (Arthur Applbaum), grandfather of Penelope Jennewein, Maddy (Kelsey) Vellenga, Isaiah Applbaum, and Emma Applbaum, has died. A memorial service will be held in Newton, Massachusetts in August. In San Diego, internment will follow on Monday, October 6. Donations in Rubin’s honor can be made to Partners of the Americas, Congregation Beth Israel reports.
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Stanley Schocket, brother of Shaina Kahn, has died. The funeral will be held in Baltimore, Chabad of University City reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.
I love your tribute to Freckles who is an adorable character.