LA MESA, California – Veterans Day is observed on Nov. 11 to honor military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. It also coincides with Remembrance Day, the anniversary of the end of World War I.
In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower replaced “Armistice” Day with “Veterans” Day, and it has been observed annually since then.
Legally, two minutes of silence is recommended to be observed at 2:11 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Veterans are all around us. Those who fought for our freedom before we were born, and those who are still fighting to protect us. I am always humbled when I see someone wearing a Veterans hat or shirt and thank them for their service, hold the door for them, anything to show my gratitude.
My father-in-law is a Vietnam Veteran (so was my Dad, z”l) and I am always so humbled when strangers shake his hand, give him a hug, and thank him for his service. It is touching to see people go out of their way to show gratitude for those who risked their lives to fight for our freedom.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Tifereth Israel Synagogue announces its “Simcha Shabbat” at 6:15 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14. Children celebrating a birthday will be called to the bimah for a special blessing during their birthday month. In addition, simchas within the congregational family, anniversaries, adult birthdays, and graduations will be acknowledged. A special Oneg will follow. Click here for more information.
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Congregation Beth Am’s CBA Talks presents “The Roudnice Torah Project: by Elana Markus and Jane Willoughby” at 9:30 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 16. This event includes the story behind the scroll and the lost Jewish community of Roudnice, how this project came to life at Beth Am, ways the initiative is engaging youth, building international relationships, and how preserving memory for future generations through education, partnerships, and a permanent exhibit. Click here to rsvp.
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Congregation Beth Israel and First United Methodist Church of San Diego announce their “45th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service” at 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 16, at First United Methodist Church of San Diego. Rabbi Jason Nevarez will share an inspiring Thanksgiving message, and the choirs from both congregations will join in song. Click here to rsvp.
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Rabbi/ Cantor Hanan Leberman of Tifereth Israel Synagogue will give a concert at 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7, to benefit the Roustabout Theatre Company at the Scripps Ranch Theatre, 9783 Avenue of Nations, San Diego. For more information, click here.
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Beth Jacob Congregation presents “Chanukah Festival and Fun” at 11:30 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 7. The event will include a kids’ carnival, live music, bourekas box, Chanukah gift Shuk, and bounce house. Click here to register.
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Congregation Beth El presents its “Light Up the Night: A Chanukah Laser Spectacular” at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 18. The event includes lighting your chanukiah, singing Chanukah songs, latkes, donuts, and a laser light show. Click here to register.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
La Costa announces its “Family Challah Bake” at 5 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 13. Families are invited to honor Parsha Chayei Sarah by braiding, blessing, baking, and belonging. Click here to rsvp.
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East County announces its “Cirque Du Chanukah and Menorah Lighting” at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14. The event includes a real live circus show, performers, amazing acts, donuts, latkes, crafts, and more. Click here to rsvp.
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University City’s Men’s Night Out presents “Hookah and Hummus” at 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 20. Men are invited to enjoy a night of Mediterranean food, smooth hookah, and good conversation. Click here to rsvp.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Ohr Shalom Synagogue reports parents Joel and Sara Warsh welcomed the birth of a baby boy named Rylan Jacob Simmons Warsh. Baby Rylan joins big brothers Zachary and Elliot. Mazel Tov!
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Congregation Beth Am reports that congregants Jobi Halper and Steve Levinson’s daughter Sara married Ryan Whitehead in Positano, Italy. Son, Noah Levinson, got engaged to Allie Kirkland. Mazel Tov!
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Kindness Initiative reports that members of the community can sponsor a Jewish family in need this Chanukkah season. Click here to sign up by Monday, Nov. 24.
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Congregation Beth El reports its Thanksgiving Food Drive is collaborating with Western Service Workers Association to provide Thanksgiving food for needy families in San Diego. Beth El is asking for donations of turkeys, cooking pans, oil, pumpkin, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Click here to make a monetary donation.
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SCY High School reports its Hawks Flag Football team played hard with a nearly perfect season, with only one loss during the regular season, and earned a 3rd place spot in the league overall. Yasher Koach!
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Chabad at La Costa’s Channah & Arthur Hale Jewish Learning Center Building reports updates to the educational level are progressing. Walk-in coolers have been assembled. Shelving installed. Thermostats are also being troubleshooted. Door installation is continuing. Bathroom accessories installation has begun. The kitchenette countertop and sink have been installed. Laundry room sink installed. Library books are in the process of being brought down. Rabbi’s office will be moved downstairs in the next couple/few weeks.
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Chabad of Carmel Valley reports parents Hillel and Shaindel Polichenco, grandparents Rabbi Mendel and Dini Polichenco, and Rabbi Yosef and Rivkah Carlebach welcomed the birth of a baby boy. Mazel Tov!
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Shirley Deckelboim, mother of Vicki Gelbtuch, Gary Deckelboim, and Sandra Esquenazi, grandmother of Jamie Gelbtuch, Dara Love, Susan Aldaroty, Carly Bernstein, Sherri Starr, and Emily Esquenazi, has died. The funeral was held Monday, Nov. 10, at the Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapel in New Jersey, Congregation Beth Israel reports.
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Leonard Fram, husband of the late Marcia Fram, father of Howard (Cynthia) Fram and Steven (Lisa) Fram, grandfather of Maia, Miles, Charles, and Zachary, has died. The funeral will be at 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 14, at El Camino Memorial Park with Rabbi Jason Nevarez of Congregation Beth Israel as officiant, Am Israel Mortuary and Congregation Beth Israel report.
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William Leavenworth, father of Michael (Kathy) Leavenworth, grandfather of Hannah, has died. A private memorial will be held at Miramar National Cemetery, Congregation Beth Israel reports.
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Brett Matus has died. The funeral will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 12, at El Camino Memorial Cemetery with Rabbi Motte Fradkin of Chabad of Carmel Valley as officiant, Chabad of Carmel Valley reports.
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Ana Olivensky has died. The funeral was held Friday, Nov. 7, at El Camino Memorial Park with Rabbi Daniel Reich of Congregation Adat Yeshurun as officiant, Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Bertha Szmuilowicz, grandmother of Yossi (Ariela) Zagursky, great-grandmother of Nicole Zagursky, Andres Zagursky, Karen (Eduardo) Frischwasser, and Jacob (Gayl) Szmuilowicz, has died. The funeral was held Monday, Nov. 10, at El Camino Memorial Park, it was reported by Am Israel Mortuary, San Diego Hebrew Day School, and Congregation Beth Am.
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Elena Waisbord, mother of Irene Kletzel, and Manolo Levy z”l, grandmother of Jonathan Kletzel, Daphne Frank, Allan Levy, and Sharon Cohen, has died. The funeral was held Sunday, Nov. 9, at Home of Peace, Ohr Shalom Synagogue reports.
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Edward Zelniker, husband of Ellen Zelniker, father of Brittany (Mark) Krasnow and Kevin Krasnow, grandfather of Oscar, Talia, and Eli, has died. The funeral was held Monday, Nov. 10, at El Camino Memorial Park, Tifereth Israel Synagogue reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.