By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
On the second day of Shavuot, we read the Book of Ruth. Ruth’s husband dies, and she decides to follow her Israelite mother-in-law Naomi and recites the famous words “whither you go, I will go, wherever you lodge, I will lodge, your people will be my people, and your G-d will be my G-d.”
This is related to when Ruth comes to Israel, which took place around the time of Shavuot and her acceptance into the Jewish faith, acceptance of the Jewish people of G-d’s Torah.
Some congregations have Jewish name ceremonies who have either converted or were not given one at birth. I let my daughter pick her own Jewish name when she was six years old. She chose Esther, and I stood with her at the bimah because I wanted her to pick her own name rather than have it assigned at birth. I think she made a good choice since she is a strong woman and very outspoken, just like Queen Esther.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SD Kollel’s Women’s Class presents “Rebbetzin Nechama Eilfort: Two Tablets: One Torah, Wisdom from Moshe Rabbeinu, Dovid Hamelech, and the Baal Shem Tov” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 19. This women’s event includes a lecture and desserts. For more information, call 619-287-9890.
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Congregation Beth Israel’s Speaker Forum and Dinner announces its “The Jew Who Would Be King: The True Story of a Jewish Zulu Chieftain in the 19th Century” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 20. This event is led by Professor Rovner’s archival research and travels to the site of Nathaniel Issacs’ island in Africa by telling of the harsh realities and moral ambiguities of colonial power. It exposes the entangled forces of Jewish emancipation and antisemitism. Click here to register.
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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 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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Tifereth Israel Synagogue presents “Tikun Leil Shavuot: Everyone Has a Story” at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 21. This event will be led by Jew by Choice speaker Furkan Safak, and speakers Sharon Wilson and Phil Johnson, who support Jewish homes and families with profound commitment and care. Click here to rsvp.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue announces its “Tikkun Leil Shavuot” at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 21. This event includes a night of study and receiving the Torah.
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Congregation Beth El announces its “Erev Shavuot” at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 21. The event includes an evening of study through text study and discussion, celebrating receiving the Torah with refreshments of dairy foods and desserts. Click here to register.
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Young Israel of San Diego announces its “Shavuot Dairy Dinner and Learning” at 8:30 p.m., Thursday, May 21. This event includes dinner followed by Torah classes with community speakers. Click here to register.
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Beth Jacob Congregation presents “Shavuos in Tuscany” at 8:45 p.m., Thursday, May 21. This event includes an Italian-inspired dairy dinner with cheesecake, all-night classes for all backgrounds and ages, and kids’ programs and activities. Click here to register.
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Beth Jacob Congregation Youth presents “Torah Bowl Game Show” at 11:15 p.m., Thursday, May 21. This elementary, middle, and high schoolers event include a game show, a Minute to Win It challenge, candy, tokens, and prizes at 12:15 a.m., and an ice cream party. At 12:45 a.m., “Middle School Learn-A-Thon: With SEED”, this middle school event includes a Minute to Win It challenge, candy tokens, and prizes. At 2:15 a.m., “High School Learn-A-Thon: Fleischfest”, this high school event includes learning until Shacharis with hourly meat delicacies prepared by Beth Jacob’s teen boys.
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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. The event will include an interactive kid-free service, dinner program, learning, and music. Children will enjoy pizza and a movie. Click here to register.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue announces its “Fix-It Day” at 9:30 a.m., Sunday, May 31. This event includes tackling projects such as sanctuary chair upholstery cleaning and chair assembly, Ner Tamid Street sign week removal and painting, organizing sheds, window screen replacement and window washing, bollard painting, adding twinkle lights to trees, trash cleanup, and planter cleanup. Organizers say they will provide bagels and sunscreen; please bring gloves and tools, otherwise they will provide them. Click here for more information.
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Congregation Beth Israel presents its “Shabbat Under the Stars” at 6:15 p.m., Friday, June 12. The event includes celebrating summer in the courtyard. After services, head down to the lower field for a delicious spread of appetizers and desserts, and activities to keep the children entertained. Click here to rsvp.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
University City presents its “Community Dairy Dinner” at 8:30 p.m., Thursday, May 21. The evening will include Torah, community, and conversation. Discussions include “Jewish Life in Iran with Farshid Farajzadeh”, “AI: Extinction or Elevation” panel discussion with Raphael Menko: A healthy Relationship with AI, Rabbi Effy Kahn: What AI can never replace, and Rabbi Yudell Reiz: AI and the path to Moshiach, and “The Trolley Dilemma: Discussion When Self-Driving Cars Meet Moral Dilemmas.” Click here to rsvp.
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Downtown announces its “Shavuot Celebration” at 10 a.m., Friday, May 22. The event includes hearing the Ten Commandments and a dairy kiddush luncheon. Click here to rsvp.
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East County presents its “Celebrate Shavuot” at 10 a.m., Friday, May 22. This event includes services, the reading of the 10 Commandments, followed by brunch. Or attend the “Family Party” at 5 p.m., Friday, May 22. This event includes the reading of the 10 Commandments followed by a dairy dinner and ice cream. Click here to register.
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Chula Vista announces its “Celebrate Shavuot” at 4:30 p.m., Friday, May 22. The event includes hearing the 10 Commandments, a dairy buffet and ice cream party, and a children’s program. Click here to rsvp.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
San Diego Jewish Academy reports five Golda Meir Lower School students earned Honor Roll distinction in the Noetic National Math Competition by scoring in the top 10% nationally. The Noetic Learning Math Contest is a nationally recognized elementary mathematics competition designed to encourage problem-solving, critical thinking, and enthusiasm for mathematics among young learners.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Thelma Gorinstein has died. She was the mother of Daniel (Judy) Gorinstein, Vicky (Elias) Agami, and Alan (Lina) Gorinstein. The funeral will take place in Mexico City, Ohr Shalom Synagogue reports.
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Shirley Soltz has died. She was the sister of Roz Berman. The funeral will take place in Boston, Ohr Shalom Synagogue reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.