LA MESA, California – November is known as Men’s Health Awareness Month. About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. But each person’s risk may vary, based on age, race/ethnicity, and other factors.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and the second leading cause of cancer-related death.
In San Diego County, it accounted for 14% (1,843 cases) of all cancers diagnosed in 2021. Advanced cases have increased by 3% per year since 2014, highlighting the importance of early detection and awareness, particularly for communities facing higher risks.
So, in other words, discuss early detection with your doctor and speak up if something doesn’t feel right.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Temple Emanu-El presents “Time to Prepare” at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9. This workshop is designed to provide important information to help you understand and organize end-of-life decisions. The workshop will include a panel discussion moderated by Rabbi Devorah Marcus, an estate planning attorney, a representative from the Jewish Community Foundation, Am Israel Mortuary, and others. Click here to register.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue’s JAM Games Crew announces its “Mahjong Circle” at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays on Nov. 11, 18, and 25. The evening includes a mix of strategy and a lot of schmoozing. Click here to join the WhatsApp for further details.
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Beth Jacob Congregation’s Moishe’s Grill announces its “Special Israeli Menu” on Thursday, Nov. 13. The menu includes Moroccan couscous soup, shwarma on a spit, falafel, arayes, schnitzel, French fries, and sweet potato fries.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue’s She Force announces its “Sip and Paint Night” at 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 16. The event includes an evening of shared talent, inspiration, materials, drinks, and snacks. Click here to register.
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RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust will host the JCompany Youth Theatre by performing “Remembrance: Reading Stories That Endure” at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the La Jolla Riford Library.
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Congregation Beth El’s Women’s Connection Rosh Chodesh Gathering announces “Game Night” at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19. The night will include a discussion of the games that bind us, then connecting through playing games of Mah Jongg, Bridge, Scrabble, Backgammon, and more. Organizers say to bring a dairy/pareve item to share. Click here to rsvp.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue presents its “Shabbat Kehillatit Service and Community Dinner” at 6:15 p.m., Friday, Nov. 21. The community dinner after service is its annual Thanksgiving-themed dinner. Organizers say to bring non-perishable food for the JFS Hand Up Food Pantry. Click here to register.
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Temple Emanu-El, St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, San Carlos United Methodist Church, and Pacifica Institute will be hosting their “Interfaith Thanksgiving Service” at 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 23, at Temple Emanu-El. This special Thanksgiving service will be about unity and diversity in a time of division, featuring inspiring messages of hope, gratitude, praise, and musical pieces. Dessert reception to follow.
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L’Chaim San Diego magazine announces “Dr. Alan Maisel – the Kosher Comediologist” at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 24, at the North Coast Repertory Theatre. Maisel, a former cardiologist, draws on a life of outrageous experiences, from growing up as one of the only Jewish kids in rural Michigan to pounding on a first-class passenger’s chest during “Fifty Shades of Grey,” to wrestling racists in medical school, to sewing up a post-partum episiotomy a little too completely. Click here for tickets.
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Beth Jacob Congregation announces its “Hodu Shabbos Dinner” on Friday, Nov. 28. The congregation is invited to attend a Thanksgiving-Shabbos turkey dinner. Click here to register.
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Jewish Federation of San Diego’s Woman Philanthropy presents “Brunch Club: Strong Women, Stronger Community” at 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 4. The event includes speaker Shelley Zimmerman, the first woman to serve as San Diego’s Chief of Police, Bill Ganley, San Diego’s Community Security Director and a hands-on interactive session on Federation’s signature “Stop the Bleed” training, designed to empower with skills to respond effectively in times of crisis. Click here to register and to receive the address.
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Adopt a Family Foundation announces its “Holiday Boutique” at 5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 4, at Chabad Rancho Santa Fe – Simcha Hall. This event will include wine, cheese, and music while shopping at the many local vendors’ booths for a good cause. This event is free of charge. Click here to donate if you cannot attend.
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San Diego Center for Jewish Culture Tapestry presents “Z3 @ San Weekend Project: Building the Jewish Future Together,” Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7. The Young Zionist Panel at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6 at Congregation Beth El will bring together essayist from Young Zionist Voices and emerging leaders from across San Diego for an honest, hopeful look at Zionism today. At 9:30 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 7, at Lawrence Family JCC, there will be a full day of thought-provoking breakout sessions and community conversations featuring speakers from San Diego and around the world. Click here for tickets.
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Lawrence Family JCC announces its “Festival of Lights Run” at 8:30 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 14. This event includes a 1-mile fun run/walk, a USATF (USA Track and Field) sanctioned 5k or 10k to celebrate the season with movement, music, and community. Open to all ages and fitness levels. Click here to register.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
Chabad Hebrew Academy presents its “Parent Workshop Presented by: Magen Yeladim Child Safety Institute” at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 10. Parents are encouraged to attend this workshop and learn how to spot and prevent abuse, and how to have conversations with children about safety. Students will receive free dress passes for all students whose parents attend, and childcare for CHA children during the parent session will be provided. Click here to rsvp.
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Downtown’s Jewish Women’s Circle invites women to attend its “Israeli Salads” event at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 10. Learn how to make authentic Israeli cuisine and have a chance to learn secret recipes from Shaked of Mama Jackline Catering. No cooking skills are required. Click here to rsvp.
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Poway invites the community to its “Chanukah Celebration and Train Ride” at 4:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14, at Old Poway Park. The event includes Chanukah train rides, latkes and doughnuts, giant menorah lighting, gelt and dreidels, festive music, and Chanukah crafts. Click here to register.
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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
Temple Emanu-El reports that its Mitzvah of the Month will be collecting items for Meals on Wheels’ We Care Gift Bags that volunteers give to homebound seniors. Suggested items include gift bags – medium or large, with holiday or birthday themes, or colorful patterns; please, no wine bags. Hand towels, potholders, dish towels, and jar openers. Socks. Crosswords, sudoku books, and adult coloring books with colored pencils. Playing cards. Hand-knit or crocheted items. Magnifying glasses. Nightlights. Greeting cards, stationery, envelopes, postage stamps. Brushes, combs. Small first aid kits. Calendars and day-timers for 2026. Toiletries, including shampoo, lotion, deodorant, toothbrushes/toothpaste, floss, soap, and small packs of tissues. Notepads, Post-it notes, pens, and sharpened pencils. Please note: they do not distribute any medications (including aspirin, cough drops, or other over-the-counter items), razors, nail polish, cosmetics, or candles. Click here for more information.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue reports its office will be physically unavailable from Monday, Nov.10 through Wednesday, Nov. 26, due to flooring work being done in the office area. During this time, staff will continue to answer phones, answer emails, and the morning Minyan will meet in the Sanctuary.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Onelia Cochran, mother of Neeman Cochran, has died, Ohr Shalom Synagogue reports.
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Nancy Geist, wife of the late Alan Geist, mother of Giselle (Sol) Dunst, Mary (Jon) Epsten, David Geist; grandmother of Michael (Rebecca) Epsten, Steven (Tracy) Dunst, Alana (Jared) Ziman, Andrew Dunst; great grandmother of Natalie Epsten, Adam Epsten, Sydney Ziman, Emma Ziman, Cora Ziman, Olivia Dunst, and Theo Dunst, has died. The funeral service was held Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Temple Emanu-El. The internment was held Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Cypress View Mausoleum Mortuary and Crematory, Temple Emanu-El reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.