By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
The selling and disposing of all chametz before Passover: My kids like to throw items into our outside chimeny and watch them burn.
This year, we will be camping at San Elijo State Beach in Cardiff-by-the-Sea over the weekend, so we will bring some items we can part with to throw in the campfire. This place is also dear friends, Barbara and Bill Sperling’s “happy place,” so many awe-inspiring sunsets, and the possibility of catching the “green flash”
I don’t sell my items since I limit what we buy when Passover comes around, so it is just a few things that are opened to add to the fire.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue announces special guest Shayna Meltzer will be joining on Shabbat morning, March 28, to give a brief talk at lunch about her experience in the Peace Corps.
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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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Temple Emanu-El announces “Israel Talk with Don Mendel” at 10 a.m., Sunday, March 29. Mendel will share his experiences and observations on Israel in the aftermath of two years of war, the resettlement of the Gaza Envelope, and the key topics shaping the current political landscape. Click here to register.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue invites adults to register for its “Miller Introduction to Judaism: Taught by Rabbi Hanan Leberman” at 11 a.m., beginning Sunday, August 17, 2025. Miller’s curriculum is a nationally recognized course that covers the essentials of Judaism, including its holidays, rituals, ideas, and traditions throughout the 18-week program. Click here for more information.
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SD Kollel presents its “Ladies Weekly Kollel Café: Women’s Class and Discussion” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday nights. This event includes women’s topics and desserts. For more information, call 619-287-9890.
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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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June Rubin Studio Gallery announces registration has opened for Spring Art Sessions. The Spring sessions start at 3:30 p.m., for ages 5 to 9 years old, and at 4:30 p.m., for ages 9 years old to 13 years old, on Thursdays, from March 26 until April 30 at the Tierrasanta Recreation Center. These sessions include teaching young artists drawing, watercolor, collage, and acrylic painting in a supportive, hands-on environment. All art supplies are included, and young artists are invited to bring their own enthusiasm and imagination. Beginners are welcome. Click here to register for the 3:30 p.m. session, and click here to register for the 4:30 p.m. session.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue’s Ohrzennials present “First Night Seder” on Wednesday, April 1. This event is for adults 21-45 years old and their children. The Seder will be dairy and kosher for Passover. Organizers say to have a snack before the event, as dinner won’t be served for at least two hours and likely longer. Click here to sign up and to receive the location.
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Young Israel of San Diego announces its “Community Passover Seder: Led by Rabbi Rosenberg” at 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 1, and 8 p.m., Thursday, April 2. Click here to register and to receive the address.
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Congregation Dor Hadash announces its “Second Night Seder and Potluck” at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, April 2, at the Lawrence Family JCC. The event includes services and a potluck Seder. Organizers request the help of volunteers before and after the Seder. Click here to register.
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Congregation Beth Israel announces its “Congregational 2nd Night Seder” at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, April 2. Long-time members and new members of the community are invited for an evening of tradition and togetherness. Click here to rsvp.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue presents its “Community Seder” at 5:45 p.m., Thursday, April 2. This community Seder includes the retelling of the Passover story by Rabbi Hanan Leberman, uplifting singing, music, and a meal shared with family and friends. Click here to rsvp.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue announces its “Pesach Seder” at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 2. This community Seder is for all ages, and non-members are welcome. Click here to register for security purposes.
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Congregation Beth El announces its “Spring Shabbaton with Scholar in Residence: Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller” from Thursday, April 23, until Saturday, April 25. “Zionist Aspirations and the Challenge of Contemporary Israel” at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 23. The event includes coffee, dessert, Israeli ruach, and a welcoming song circle with Seidler-Feller. Click here to register. “The Dangers of Nationalism and Messianic Politics” at 7 p.m., Friday, April 24. The evening includes a learning discussion with Seidler-Feller over Shabbat and dinner. Click here to register. “An Inclusive Zionism in the Pursuit of Peace” at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, April 25. The event includes Shabbat morning services followed by lunch and a presentation with Seidler-Feller. Click here to register.
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Young Israel of San Diego presents its “Community Shabbat Dinner” at 7 p.m., Friday, May 8. The evening includes Shabbat services and dinner. Click here to register.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
Carmel Valley and Downtown present the “Yud Alef Nissan Farbrengen: Celebrating the Birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe” at 6:45 p.m., Sunday, March 29 at Chabad of Carmel Valley. The evening for men, women, and children will include inspirational Torah, stories, and music.
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Chula Vista announces its “Passover Seder” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 1. This event includes an interactive Seder, a warm and inviting atmosphere, and a gourmet Passover meal. Click here to register.
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Poway presents its “Passover Seder” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 1. This event includes evening service, an interactive Seder, warm and inviting atmosphere, and a gourmet 5-course meal with chicken, brisket, salmon, and more. Click here to rsvp.
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La Costa and Encinitas announce their “Community Seder” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 1, at Chabad at La Costa. Click here to rsvp.
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Downtown announces its “First Night Seder” at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 1, and its “Second Night Seder” at 8 p.m., Thursday, April 2. The events include interactive and meaningful Seders, a warm and inviting atmosphere, and gourmet Passover cuisine. Click here to register.
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La Costa presents its “Community Seder” at 8 p.m., Thursday, April 2. Click here to rsvp.
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Carmel Valley’s Torah Life Center presents “Hachnasat Sefer Torah” at 5 p.m., Sunday, April 5. The event includes welcoming a new Sefer Torah, music, dancing, and refreshments. Click here to rsvp.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Local artist Roni Briete’s artwork will be featured in three galleries over the next three months: “Mix it Up” show at 4 p.m., with an opening reception at Ashton’s Gallery, with the show running through Tuesday, April 24. “Viva” starts on Wednesday, April 1, through Wednesday, April 25, at the East County Art Association. “Sustainable Creations” at 4 p.m., Saturday, May 2 through Saturday, June 13 at the Fallbrook Art Center.
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San Diego Jewish Academy reports it will be offering a wide range of summer learning and camp opportunities for students of all ages, combining academic enrichment, outdoor exploration, athletics, and creative discovery. Middle school camp programs include musical theatre, samba futsal, sci-tech robotics, architects’ studio, pickleball, flag football, and indoor girls volleyball. For campers in grades K-6, camp programs include athletics, arts, sci-tech, nature, and outdoors. Click here to register.
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Chabad of University City reports Rabbi Effy and Rebbetzin Doba Kahn welcomed the birth of a baby boy. The bris and baby naming will occur at 9 a.m., Tuesday, March 31 at Chabad of University City. Click here to rsvp and to receive the address.
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Chabad at La Costa’s Channah and Arthur Hale Jewish Learning Center Building reports that walk-in coolers have been assembled. Shelving installed. Condensers are installed, and they are powered up. Doors have been hung and painted, and doorknobs installed. Baseboards done. Bathroom accessories are installed, and the changing table is in. The kitchenette countertop and sink have been installed.
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Coastal Gan Preschool reports the children explored the difference between chametz like soft challah and crunchy matzah. In the sensory table, the children used red water to represent the plague of blood and painted frogs. They played with chia seeds to represent the plague of lice and explored many wild animals, learning about the sounds they make and where they live.
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OBITUARY NOTICE
Stanley Adelman has died. He was the father of the late Lonnie Adelman (z”l), father-in-law of Susan Adelman, and grandfather of Eric, Aviva, and Steven. The funeral will be held on Sunday, March 29, in Costa Mesa, Beth Jacob Congregation reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.