By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
Purim extends from Monday night, March 2, to sunset on Tuesday, March 3. My twins always pull out their Halloween costumes and see how they fit. They will participate in the Purim Carnival fun. I need to check out our “noisy” food boxes, as when the name “Haman” is mentioned, the audience is encouraged to shake them. Later, the food boxes will be donated to local food banks.
Purim is a joyous celebration that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people by Queen Esther from annihilation at the hands of an evil political advisor, Haman.
Purim is celebrated by exchanging mishloach manot, donating to charity, eating a festive meal, and listening to the reading of the Megillah. Other traditions include wearing costumes, parades, drinking wine, and eating hamantaschen. So many fun ways to celebrate as a community that our ancestors survived.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
PURIM and other pending events, previously reported in this column, may be found in our Jewish community calendar.
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Israeli American Council presents its “Purim Adloyada Celebration with Keshet and Shevet Galim” at noon, Sunday, March 1. The event includes inflatable bounce houses, music, food, activity stations, a costume contest, and prizes. Organizers say to come dressed in creative costumes. Click here to register and to receive the address.
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Congregation Dor Hadash presents its “Purim Celebration” at 5:30 p.m., Monday, March 2. The event includes a pizza and potluck dinner, Purim Spiel, and a multilingual Megillah reading.
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Congregation Beth Am presents its “Family Megillah Celebration” at 6:15 p.m., Monday, March 2. The event includes a family-friendly Purim celebration, a sports-themed Megillah, graggers, a costume parade, ice cream, churros, cotton candy, hamantaschen, and more. Organizers say to come dressed in costume and to cheer along as the story of Esther is read. The following will include a “Traditional Megillah Reading” at 8 p.m.
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Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-51) announces she will be holding a “Telephone Town Hall” at 7 p.m., Monday, March 2. Jacobs will answer questions about her work to hold President Trump and his Administration accountable, and what Congress can and should do to stop ICE and Border Patrol, reckless foreign policy, lower costs, and more. Click here to listen.
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Temple Emanu-El announces its “Striving to be Human: Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Lawson” at 11:30 a.m., Thursdays, starting Thursday, March 5, until Thursday, April 30. The event includes Lawson discussing various topics like moral justice at the core of humanity, choosing between good and evil, a look at queer Jewish theology, the world created, beyond the beginning and end of life, and whether A.I. can develop a soul, and tensions between the good and the perfect. Organizers say to pack a lunch and purchase the required text, Striving to be Human: Jewish Perspectives on Twenty-First-Century Challenges by Rabbi Leah Cohen. Click here to register.
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Lawrence Family JCC presents its “Passover Block Party” at 4 p.m., Thursday, March 12. The event includes shopping with local vendors, hands-on activity booths, and entertainment. Click here to rsvp.
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Women of Congregation Beth Israel presents its “Rosh Chodesh Series” at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, March 12. This event will be led by the CEO and President of the Jewish Federation of San Diego, Heidi Gantwerk. Organizers say snacks and beverages will be provided. Click here to register.
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Temple Emanu-El announces its “Yisrael Klitsner: Updates on Israel” at 7 p.m., Friday, March 13, and noon, Saturday, March 14. Klitsner will discuss what is happening inside the State and the minds of the people inside, and what the future of Israel’s relationship with the Jewish diaspora communities is. Click here to register.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue announces its “Guidance for Jewish Burial” at 10:15 a.m., Sunday, March 15. This event includes Rabbi Ryan Newfield and Rabbi Ralph Dalin, who will provide an overview of Jewish customs and rituals. Owner and Funeral Home Manager of Am Israel Mortuary, Peter Krantz, and a representative from El Camino Memorial Park will be on hand to explain their services. Click here to rsvp for security purposes.
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Jewish-bluegrass band Nefesh Mountain will be performing at 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 17, at the Casbah. Nefesh Mountain Band is a New York-based progressive bluegrass band that bridges elements of American folk and Appalachian bluegrass with Celtic folk and Jewish melodies. Click here for tickets.
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Congregation Beth Israel’s Men’s Club Speaker’s Forum and Dinner presents “The Irish-Jewish Couple in America Feature Films with Dr. Lawrence Baron” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 18. Baron will examine how these romances have conveyed varying messages from extolling the “Melting Pot” ideal, exposing inter-ethnic tensions, epitomizing interfaith toleration, and embracing multicultural diversity. Click here to rsvp.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue’s Adult Education will feature Dr. Jennifer Tuteur at 10 a.m., Sunday, March 22. Tuteur will discuss vaccinations for young children, adults, and seniors. She will speak about how we can help maintain good health throughout our lives.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue’s Family Jam presents “Passover Playtime for Young Families” at 9:15 a.m., Sunday, March 29. This event is for families with children 6 years and under and siblings. It will feature stories, snacks, and crafts. Click here to rsvp for security purposes.
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Assessor/County Clerk and Recorder Jordan Z. Marks and California Secretary of State, Dr. Shirley Weber, will host the first “Apostille Pop-Up Shop of 2026” on Wednesday, April 8, at the ARCC Downtown Office. This one-day event allows residents to obtain in-person apostille services locally, helping them avoid the time and expense of traveling to Los Angeles or Sacramento, where these services are normally offered. Click here for more information.
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Jewish Family Service of San Diego announces its “2026 Heart and Soul Gala: Celebrates Meaningful Change and Recognizes Honorees” at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, April 18, at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine. The event will include sharing its recent successes, empowering the community as an impactful resource for individuals and families in need. The nonprofit will celebrate the contributions of honorees Jerri-Ann and Gary Jacobs and Tammy and Louis Vener, longtime JFS supporters and volunteers who inspire many with their generosity and leadership. All proceeds will benefit JFS’s ongoing programs that serve the community through ensuring people have a safe, stable place to live; making sure individuals and families have enough nutritious food to eat; and surrounding each person with a strong community of support in San Diego. Click here to register.
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Jewish National Fund-USA presents its “Shabbat for Israel: Celebration in Honor of Yom Ha’atzmaut” on Friday, April 24. The event includes hosting a Shabbat dinner by celebrating Israel’s Independence Day. Click here to sign up to be a host by Thursday, March 5, and receive a complimentary Shabbat Box.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue announces a save the date for its “Weekend Retreat” at 4 p.m., on Friday, April 24, until Sunday, April 26 at Camp Marston in Julian. Click here to register.
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Jewish Federation of San Diego announces its “Jewish Heritage Celebration” at 6:40 p.m., Tuesday, May 26. The event includes an evening of the San Diego Padres vs. the Philadelphia Phillies. The evening will open with President and CEO Heidi Gantwerk singing the national anthem, followed by Rabbi Scott Meltzer of Ohr Shalom Synagogue taking the mound to throw out the first pitch in honor of 100 years of Jewish life on 3rd and Laurel. Attendees will also have exclusive access to the Western Metal Rooftop, a Padres-themed Hanukkiah giveaway, unlimited soft drinks, Hebrew National or vegetarian hot dogs, popcorn, and more. Click here to buy tickets through the Federation.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
Downtown announces its early bird rate will end on Sunday, March 1, for its “Shabbat in the Heights” occurring Friday, May 1 until Sunday, May 3, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York. The weekend includes Shabbat meals, learning more about the Chabad movement from inspiring speakers, and discussions. Click here to register and use code: DOWNTOWNSD.
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La Costa’s Men’s Club will meet at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 2. The event will include Torah thought-provoking conversations and light refreshments.
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Downtown presents its “Purim Feast Seudah” at 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 3, at Hamitbach. The event includes Megillah reading, festive music, falafel, shwarma, kebab, hamantaschen, and graggers.
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Chula Vista presents its “Shabbat Experience Services and Kiddush Lunch” at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 7. The event includes morning services with explanations, interactive Torah reading, and a Kiddush lunch. Organizers say this service is open to men and women regardless of affiliation or prior level of knowledge. Click here to rsvp.
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East County’s Jewish Women’s Circle announces its “Clay Sculpting: Judaic Art” at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 12. The event includes making your own one-of-a-kind frameable piece of Judaic art. Click here to rsvp.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Lawrence Family JCC reports a new storytelling series, Faces of Belonging, which introduces members to its inclusion community and what belonging looks like. Families pay the same fees as everyone else and are seeking donations to help these families feel a part of belonging as a community. With a donation, members ensure that children with disabilities can fully participate and succeed, families are not priced out of belonging, and inclusion remains a shared community commitment. Click here to support inclusion.
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American Technion Society reports its Runway Startup Postdoctoral Program in New York, the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Institute, established by Cornell University and the Technion, provides Israeli entrepreneurs with the resources, opportunities, and connections needed to turn brilliant ideas into viable businesses. With investors, employees, and companies in Israel, many of these businesses are fueling Israel’s growth. Click here to support the Joan and Irwin Institute to ensure that Israel-U.S. collaboration continues.
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SCY High School reports that students had the privilege to have Rabbi Tani Prero join for a shiur and team-building activity. Tani is the director of Camp Yagilu, who inspired the teenagers to succeed using a personalized approach and exciting challenges.
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Congregation Beth Am urges congregants to pick up their mishloach manot bags before Monday, March 2. Any bags not picked up before Monday, March 2, will be donated.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Carole Laventhol has died. She was the wife of Richard Laventhol and the mother of Alison Baker. The funeral was held on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at El Camino Memorial Park, Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Marvin Yelles has died. The funeral was held on Thursday, Feb. 26, at Home of Peace Cemetery, Beth Jacob Congregation and Young Israel of San Diego report.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.