By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
AJC has shared some resources to celebrate the rich culture and heritage of the Jewish people, and the countless contributions of American Jews to our nation’s history.
AJC San Diego has developed a set of mini-lessons about notable Jewish San Diegans throughout the city’s history. Click here to view the video lessons, three of which are narrated by this publication’s publisher and editor, Donald H. Harrison.
In one of those videos, Harrison misspoke. It was Joseph Mannasse’s partner, Marcus Schiller, who voted to set aside land that eventually became Balboa Park. Mannasse was on the Board of Trustees that voted to hold a land auction by which Alonzo Horton acquired the acreage to develop modern-day downtown San Diego.
AJC has also developed a list of suggested films and books for use during Jewish Heritage Month. Click here to view the list.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Temple Emanu-El announces its “Summer Kickoff Family Shabbat” at 5 p.m., Friday, May 8. The event will include dinner and the final Family Shabbat Service of the school year. Click here to register.
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Young Israel of San Diego announces its “Shabbat Community Dinner” at 7 p.m., Friday, May 8. This event includes Mincha services and dinner. Click here to register.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue presents “Family Tot Shabbat with Jennifer Meltzer” starting at 10:30 a.m., on select Saturdays, May 9, June 20, and August 8. This kid-friendly service will be led by Meltzer, and lunch is provided. Organizers say children are welcome to bring their non-electric musical instruments.
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Eric and Shayna Kaufmann announce “Joy Jam” at 3 p.m., Saturday, May 9, at Seaside Center for Spiritual Living. This community gathering will include live music, participation in drum circles, healing arts, and human connection. Proceeds will help defray Shayna’s ongoing medical costs from a full recovery from stage-4 cancer. Click here to get tickets.
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Jewish California presents its “Capitol Summit” on Monday, May 11, through Tuesday, May 12, at the Sheraton Grand, Sacramento. This event offers an opportunity for Jewish community members and allies to learn, network, and advocate for the community’s priorities at the state capitol. Participants will hear from some of the state’s most powerful lawmakers and activists, practice and participate in direct lobbying, and have access to the exclusive networking opportunities with elected officials, Jewish organizational leaders, and lay leaders from across the state. Click here to register.
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SD Kollel presents its “Ladies Weekly Kollel Café: Women’s Class and Discussion” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 12. This event includes women’s topics and desserts. For more information, call 619-287-9890.
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Anti-Defamation League Southern California announces its 4-part webinar series on the 250th anniversary of the United States, “Jews and the American Experience with Dr. Steven Windmueller” at noon, Thursday, May 14, part two: “Zion in America” will discuss how Zion helped to shape America as “the new Israel” and how this concept has been significant in building this country and in creating the special relationship between Washington and Jerusalem. Click here to register. At noon, Thursday, May 21, part three: “The Israel-American Connection” will discuss the elements that define the connections between our two nations. Click here to register. At noon, Thursday, June 4, part four: “Jews and American Racism/Anti-Semitism” will explore the evolution of “Jewish power”, political influence, and communal advocacy. Click here to register.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue’s She Force and The Man present “Night Shuk at UCSD” at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 14, at the University of California, San Diego. The event will include walking through the night shuk that will feature food, music, and community connections.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue announces its “Shabbat Kehillatit: Rabbi Brianah Caplan’s Ordination Shabbat” at 6:15 p.m., Friday, May 15. This event includes services and a community dinner, religious school graduation, and teacher appreciation. Click here to rsvp.
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Temple Emanu-El presents its “Annual Gala, Simcha Soiree: An Evening Celebrating Rabbi Devorah Marcus” at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, May 16. The event includes a cocktail reception, Havdalah, dinner, program, and dancing benefiting the Price Family Preschool. Click here to register.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue announces its “1st Annual Men’s Club Lawn Bowling” at noon, Sunday, May 17. This event is open to all Ohr Shalom adults 21+, and no experience is needed. Click here to rsvp.
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San Diego Hebrew Day School announces its “Annual Gala: Reaching for the Stars Featuring Shabbos Kestenbaum” at 6 p.m., Sunday, May 17. The event includes a cocktail reception, dinner, and program. Kestenbaum is an advocate against antisemitism who took on Harvard University. Organizers say to wear formal attire, and dietary laws will be observed. Click here to register.
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American Jewish Committee San Diego and StandWithUs announce “Shavuot Shalom Story Time” at 4:30 p.m., Monday, May 18, at the San Diego Public Library La Jolla Riford Branch. The elementary school children’s event will include a Shavuot-themed activity and stories. Click here to register.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue’s She Force and JAM Teens announce “Jewelry Making Event” at 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 19. This event will include creating something special for you and creating statement pieces to donate to an end-of-summer fundraising event.
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Beth Jacob Congregation presents “Shavuot in Tuscany” at 9 p.m., Thursday, May 21. The event includes an Italian-inspired dairy dinner with cheesecake, all-night classes for all backgrounds and ages, a kids’ program, and activities. Click here to rsvp.
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San Diego County announces its “18th Annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast” at 7:30 a.m., Friday, May 22, at the Town and Country Resort. This event will include bringing together the LGBTQ+ community members and allies from across the region to honor the life and legacy of civil rights icon, Milk. The breakfast will honor activist and author George Johnson, former mayor of Chula Vista and California assemblywoman Mary Salas, West Hollywood mayor John Heilman, and La Mesa Police Department captain Katy Lynch. Click here to purchase tickets.
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Temple Emanu-El announces its “Shavuot Shabbat Experience” at 6 p.m., Friday, May 22. This family-friendly event includes an interactive service and dinner program filled with food, learning, music, and dairy. Children will enjoy a pizza dinner and a movie. Click here to register.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
University City presents its new Jewish Learning Institute Course “For All Humankind” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 12. This four-part course will explore Judaism’s ethical vision for all people. Through texts, participants will discover a spiritual path that shapes family life, highlights the power of education, and offers a roadmap toward a more just and peaceful world. Click here to register.
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Carmel Valley announces its “Shabbat Dinner” at 8 p.m., Friday, May 15. This event is for singles 39 and under and will include services and dinner. Click here to rsvp.
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Poway announces its “Shavuot: All Night Torah Learning” at 10 p.m., Thursday, May 21. The event includes a panel of speakers discussing inspirational Torah lessons and refreshments provided.
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Poway presents “Shavous: Ice Cream Party” at 4 p.m., Friday, May 22. This family event includes hearing the Ten Commandments and an assortment of ice cream flavors and toppings. Click here for more information.
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North Park announces its “Celebrate Shavuot” at 4:30 p.m., Friday, May 22. The event includes hearing the reading of the Ten Commandments and a dairy buffet. Click here to rsvp.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Temple Emanu-El reports its Mitzvah of the Month will include providing diapers for the San Diego Food Bank. Bring any size of children’s diapers to the front office in the white Social Action barrel. Click here for more information.
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Chabad of University City reports its 4-day campaign to raise $100,000 will begin on Monday, May 11. This campaign will begin with the transformation of the first floor- the main sanctuary, the lobby, and the bathroom. Click here to make your gift.
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Congregation Dor Hadash reports Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera has invited the congregation to attend a special proclamation honoring Jewish Heritage month as it is put into public record at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 12, at the City Administration Building.
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TRAVEL
EL AL reports on the inauguration of TAMAM (Taasiyot Mazon Matosim), the new in-flight catering facility at Ben Gurion Airport. The facility is among the most advanced in the world and is the largest of its kind in the field of kosher in-flight catering. The new facility was established with an investment of hundreds of millions of shekels and spans approximately 14,000 square meters, nearly twice the size of the previous facility. It features advanced infrastructure that meets global standards and offers a daily production capacity of approximately 50,000 meals, compared to around 30,000 meals at the former facility.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.
You left out Rabbi Aaron Gottesman of Beth Tefilah and the Jewish Fellowship Center as a notable person in San Diego. From the 60s-2005. He was a fire, police, chaplain who started the fire-and-police chaplaincy program and so much more! I have photos of him if you would like to add him.