LA MESA, California – The minor holiday of love (15th day of Av), Tu B’Av, starts Friday night and continues until Saturday night. Originally, a post-biblical day of joy, it used to be a day of matchmaking for unmarried women. Unmarried women would wear white and dance in the vineyards in search of a husband.
Recently, Israel has adopted this modern version as the Jewish Day of Love, slightly resembling Valentine’s Day. The entertainment and beauty industries have promoted festivals of singing and dancing on the night of Tu B’Av. Sometimes women’s Torah study groups will meet, as sometimes the holiday can be around Rosh Chodesh, the full moon.
Since I saw Tu B’Av show up on my holidays this morning, I need to make cards for my “super cool teen twins” before they get home from school and go pick up some chocolate “kisses”.
A nice reminder this weekend would be to tell people you love them in honor of the holiday, but also it’s nice to remind friends and family with a simple text saying, “love you.” It may brighten their day and put a smile on their face.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Congregation Beth Am holds Shabbat services at 9 a.m., Saturday, August 9. Rabbi Matthew Earne is back from sabbatical and will be discussing his trip with the Jewish National Fund’s Educators Mission to Israel. Following the services, the congregation will meet in the social hall for a Kiddush luncheon and hear about Earne’s experiences.
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Beth Jacob Congregation invites the girls of the congregation to attend its “Shabbat and Welcome Party: Girls Only” at 5 p.m., Saturday, August 9. This event is for girls 7+ and will include a brachos party, learning, fun games, and welcoming Tova Frankel to the congregation. Click here to rsvp and to receive the address. Also, boys of the congregation are invited to attend its “Shabbat and Welcome Party: Boys Only” at 5 p.m., Saturday, August 9. This event is for boys 7+ and will include learning, fun games, and welcoming Yossi Frankel to the congregation. Click here to rsvp and to receive the address.
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Temple Emanu-El announces its “Courtyard Shabbat” at 6 p.m., Friday, August 15. Organizers say to bring your own dairy/pareve dinner for an outdoor service immediately followed by dining with others. Dessert will be provided.
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Congregation B’nai Tikvah announces its “August Beach Shabbat and BBQ” at 6:30 p.m., Friday, August 15, at Oceanside Harbor Beach (across from the condos). Organizers say to bring something to share at the BBQ and sing songs as the sun sets.
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Congregation Dor Hadash presents “New Shaharit Morning Service” at 9:15 a.m., Saturday, August 16. Rabbi Mike will lead this session before Torah Study for a brief morning service held in the music room. Click here to rsvp.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue announces its “CPR, First Aid and AED Training” at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, August 24. Organizers say pre-registration and payment are required, and certification is good for two years. Click here to rsvp.
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Congregation Beth El’s Women’s Connection Rosh Chodesh Gathering presents “Bridges to Healing with Rabbi Susan Freeman: Preparing for Elul and the High Holy Days” at 5:30 p.m., Monday, August 25. Freeman will lead this session, which will explore the challenges faced and methods for healing and moving forward, including texts, prayers, expressive art, writing, and more. Click here for more information.
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Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center at Liberty Station and Ohr Shalom Synagogue’s On The Town presents “Cygnet Theatre’s Production of The Broadway Classic Follies: Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and Book by James Goldman” at 2 p.m., Sunday, September 14. The play is set in a crumbling Broadway theatre, set for demolition, but previously the home to a musical revue based on the Ziegfield Follies. The score is a mix of 1920s and musical styles. Click here for tickets.
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Murray Galinson San Diego-Israel Initiative presents its “Salon Dinner Reception: Meet the Fall 2025 Professors” at 6 p.m., Wednesday, September 17. Israeli professors teaching this fall semester include Roni Kuban: Tel Aviv University SDSU Journalism Interviewing and Storytelling, Dekel Shay Schory: Ben Gurion University SDSU Literature Graphic and Modern Israeli Literature, Tal Elmaliach: University of Haifa SDSU History Modern Jewish History, and Erez Ben-Yosef: Tel Aviv University SDSU History Biblical Archaeology. Click here to rsvp and receive the location.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
La Costa announces its “BBQ Bounty” at 5 p.m., Sunday, August 10. Organizers say to prepay for your order, which includes burgers, hot dogs, wings, coleslaw, salads, fresh fruit, drinks, and desserts. Click here to register.
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Chula Vista’s Jewish Women’s Circle presents “Torah and Tea” at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 3. Women are invited to this event to nourish the soul with Torah study, conversation, and connection with other Jewish women. Click here to rsvp and to receive the address.
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East County’s Jewish Women’s Circle presents “Torah and Tea” at noon, Thursday, August 28. Rebbetzin Chaya Andrusier will lead this session on the season of self-reflection and renewal by welcoming the month of Elul. Click here to rsvp and receive the location.
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University City presents “A Tale of Two Souls: Tanya Class” at 7 p.m., starting Monday, August 11. These classes will delve into Tanya being more than a book, but a guide to the soul. Participants will discover how ancient Chassidic wisdom speaks to everyday struggles and helps connect with purpose, joy, and G-d. Click here to rsvp and receive the location.
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To view other events previously listed in this column, please visit our San Diego Jewish Community Calendar page.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Anti-Defamation League San Diego reports “ADL’s School Action Network: Empowering Parents and Caregivers to Combat Antisemitism in K-12 School Program.” This exclusive program is designed specifically for select parents, caregivers, and supporters of K-12 students who are ready to take meaningful action against the rising tide of antisemitism in schools. Participants will gain advocacy skills and practical tools to use in the community, as well as connections with parent leaders nationwide. Click here to apply for the initial cohort.
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Chabad of Carmel Valley reports that Rabbi Mendel and Dini Polichenco have been busy volunteering, packing for the biggest food bank organization in Israel. They have visited army bases bringing food, music, and love to the soldiers coming out of Gaza after a month in their dusty tanks. Click here to donate much-needed supplies.
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Chabad of Downtown reports two Yeshiva students, Yaakov and Moishe, will be spending time in San Diego for a few weeks, visiting homes and businesses to meet the Jews in the area. If you want to schedule a visit to learn, put on tefillin, put up a mezuzah, or just to chat, click here.
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Chabad of Poway reports it hosted 25 Japanese exchange students, and during their visit, they joined the “Our Giving Kitchen” in baking chocolate chip cookies to be distributed to the food-insecure.
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Congregation Adat Yeshurun reports grandparents Roland and Myrice Goldberg, great-grandparent Shirly Shapiro, aunt and uncle Jarrod and Alexandra Goldberg, and parents Justine and Yehuda Mishpatov welcomed the birth of a baby boy. Mazel Tov!
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Congregation Adat Yeshurun reports grandparents Mauricio and Lillian Miselewicz, grandparents Jaime and Karen Breziner, and parents Isaac and Yael Miselewicz welcomed the birth of a baby boy. Mazel Tov!
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Young Israel of San Diego reports its shul board is seeking additional members to help its shul grow and thrive. If interested, speak to one of its board members to inquire.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Zelma Brameld, mother of Jean (Franklin) Gaylis, Beverley (Jonny) Menkin, Megan (Gavin) Kotzen, and Shaun (Yael) Edelstein, has died. The funeral was held Thursday, August 7, at El Camino Memorial Park, Tifereth Israel Synagogue reports.
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Renee Cohen, mother of Guy and Ashley Ravid, grandmother of Gabriel and Zoey Ravid, has died, Congregation Adat Yeshurun reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.