By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
St. Patrick’s Day is coming up. It is not a Jewish observance, but there are many Irish Jews in history. Rabbi Isaac Herzog was the first chief rabbi of Ireland from 1921 to 1936. He was Ashkenazi and born in Poland but moved to Ireland. When Abraham Kook, Chief Rabbi of Israel died, Herzog was elected and moved to Jerusalem.
David Marcus was an Irish Jewish editor and writer of Irish fiction born in 1924 and died in 2009. He was born in Cork, Ireland (where my father z”l was also from). He wrote numerous anthologies of Irish fiction and poetry.
Stella Steyn was an Irish Jewish artist born in 1907 and died in 1987. She was born in Limerick, Ireland, and her parents were from Akmene, Lithuania. She painted much like Cezanne while at Alexandra College at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art.
My twins have always enjoyed having the “leprechauns” come and visit and leave them rainbow candies. We watch “Darby O’ Gill and the Little People” every year as I make something green for dinner. Usually, baked potatoes with steamed broccoli and sparkling apple cider, I add a drop of green food coloring for the effect of the “green beer” experience.
Erin Go Bragh! If you celebrate! If not, it is okay, just a fun day to celebrate all the flourishing green that is sprouting with this unusual heat!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
SCY High School presents its “Fundraiser at Soapy Joe’s” from Monday, March 16, to Wednesday, March 18. The event is rain or shine and includes purchasing a single wash, a monthly membership, an annual membership, or a bundle. Soapy Joe’s gives 40% back to SCY. Click here and use code SCYHIGH at checkout.
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SD Kollel Women’s Class presents “In the Merit of Righteous Women with Rebbetzin Zeldi Fradkin” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 17. The event includes a discussion with Fradkin from Chabad of Coronado and desserts. Contact Rabbi Adam Simon on WhatsApp at 619-629-8433 to receive the address.
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Beth Jacob Congregation Youth presents its “Haggadah Workshop” at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, March 19. The event includes youth and kids young at heart collaborating on crafts and activities to be scanned, painted, and bound in a beautiful Haggadah for families to use on Pesach.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
Chula Vista’s Jewish Women’s Circle presents its “Torah and Tea: Passover Edition” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 18. The event includes exploring the powerful role women played in the Passover story and uncovering how the holiday’s timeless messages can help women find true inner freedom and alignment in everyday life. Click here to rsvp and to receive the address.
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Downtown’s Rosh Chodesh Society announces its monthly topic, “Bayta: Going Against the Tide, Acting Morally in an Immoral Society,” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 18. This woman’s lesson will analyze a moment in the life of heroic Princess Batya and provide tangible tools for handling pressure. Click here to rsvp.
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East County Jewish Women’s Circle presents its “Torah and Tea: Creating a Seder that Resonates” at noon, Thursday, March 19. Women are invited to join a lively discussion while enjoying a cup of tea and discussing Seder ideas. Click here to rsvp.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Adam Brotman has died. He was the son of Roz and Steve Brotman, brother of Michael and Jacob Brotman, and grandson of Geri Shaevel. The funeral was held on Tuesday, March 10, at El Camino Memorial Park, Congregation Beth Israel reports.
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Daniel Weinberg has died. The funeral was held on Thursday, March 12, at El Camino Memorial Park with Rabbi Scott Meltzer of Ohr Shalom Synagogue as officiant, Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.