By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
Dr. Edith Eger, who was a Holocaust survivor, author, psychologist, and longtime resident of La Jolla, California, passed away on April 27, 2026. Her family recently came across one of the last videos she recorded, which shows her wise, warm, fierce, and full-of-joy message.
Click here to view the video.
Eger always said Auschwitz was her “best classroom.” Her final message to the world — “My precious, you can choose to be free” — deserves to be heard by as many people as possible.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Tifereth Israel Synagogue announces its “L’hitraot, Alon Sachs: An Evening Celebrating our Shinshin” at 6 p.m., Wednesday, June 3. This event will celebrate Sachs and the creativity, warmth, and enthusiasm that touched the lives of students, families, and others. Click here to rsvp.
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Anti-Defamation League San Diego’s Glass Leadership Institute presents its “Happy Hour and Information Night” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 3. This event will include food, drinks, and a connection to learn more about applying for ADL San Diego’s Leadership Institute Class of 2027. Click here to register and to receive the location.
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Lawrence Family JCC announces its “17th Women of Valor” celebration at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 3. This event will include six extraordinary San Diego Jewish women. This year’s honorees are Ruth Broudy, Rhonda Fink, Kira Finkenberg, Sharyn Goodson, Karen Parry, and Debby Stauber. Click here to register.
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Beth Jacob Congregation announces its “Halacha: Happy Hour with Sushi and Beer” at 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3. This event will be led by Rabbi Baruch Frankel and will discuss the experience of learning from Gemarah to practical Halacha. This week’s sessions will focus on the topic of reheating food on Shabbos.
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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, 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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Lawrence Family JCC presents “Treasures of the Jewish Music Collection” at 2 p.m., Thursday, June 4. This session will be led by Eileen Wingard, who will share a rich tapestry of Jewish musical heritage with special guest Jerusalem-born Sari Esserman. Click here to rsvp.
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Congregation Beth Israel announces its “Casino Night: Annual Fundraiser” at 6 p.m., Saturday, June 6. This event includes magician Dan Birch, a special appearance by Elvis, and a celebration of the Beth Israel community that supports the people, programs, and all the special experiences. Click here to get tickets.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue’s Gourmet Group announces “A Taste of Travel” at 4 p.m., Sunday, June 7. The event includes bringing a favorite dish you have had while traveling domestically or abroad and sharing a story behind the dish. Click here to rsvp and to receive the address.
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Congregation Beth Israel presents “Ohad Moskowitz” at 7:30 p.m., Monday, June 8. Moskowitz is a world-renowned singer whose performances of original and Chassidic music have garnered millions of views globally. Click here for tickets.
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Hillel of San Diego announces its “Annual Community Celebration” at 10 a.m., Sunday, June 14, at the Beverly and Joseph Glickman Hillel Center. This event will include recognizing and honoring the Hillel of San Diego leaders and voting on the new board of leadership. Click here to rsvp.
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Congregation Beth Israel’s Speaker’s Forum and Dinner presents its “Building Lifelong Jewish Connection: Learning, Values, and Community in Action” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 17. Rose Orlovich will lead this session and highlight the interweaving of age-appropriate Jewish knowledge, values, Hebrew language, and meaningful experiences to support students’ intellectual, spiritual, and personal growth. Orlovich will also explore how the Religious School helps to nurture Jewish identity, curiosity, and a lasting connection to community and tradition. Click here to register.
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June Rubin’s Fine Art announces its “Summer 2026 Fine Art Classes” starting at 3:30 p.m., for ages 5-8, and 4:30 p.m., for ages 9-12, on Thursdays beginning June 25 through July 30 at the Tierrasanta Recreation Center. These sessions include step-by-step lessons on painting animals and still lifes with acrylics and watercolors, creating collages, and painting landscapes. Click here to register for ages 5-8, and click here to register for ages 9-12.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
East County announces its “Torah Studies: Restrain or Transform?” at 7:15 p.m., Wednesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24, and July 1. This week’s session, led by Rabbi Rafi Andrusier, discusses the balance between holding back and growing forward. Click here to register.
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Chula Vista announces its “Shabbat Experience Services and Kiddush Lunch” at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 6. This event includes services followed by Kiddush lunch and a welcoming space for prayer and community. Click here to rsvp.
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Chula Vista’s Men’s Monthly Tefillin Club presents “Bagels, Lox, and Tefillin” at 9 a.m., Sunday, June 7. This men’s event includes wrapping Tefillin, breakfast, and conversation. Click here to rsvp.
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Chula Vista’s Jewish Women’s Circle announces its “Torah and Tea” at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, June 7. This women’s event includes connection, exploration, and discussing relevant insights into the upcoming Jewish holidays and calendar, paired with good company and tea. Click here to rsvp.
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Encinitas announces its “Free Men’s Fitness Class”. These men’s fitness classes are designed to build strength, boost energy, and improve overall wellness. Click here to add your name to the interest list.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
June Rubin’s Fine Art reports that her watercolor “Altar” and acrylic “Jersey Cats” were both selected to be included as part of the Fine Art exhibition at the San Diego County Fair.
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San Diego Jewish Academy reports the Switzerland Men’s National Soccer Team will be using its facilities as its official base camp training site as they practice and prepare for the FIFA World Cup. SDJA will host a community training day where students will have the opportunity to watch the team train and participate in interactive activities with the players and coaches.
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San Diego Hebrew Day School’s Minionaire Club, led by Rabbi Chaim Hollander, recognizes students who consistently go above and beyond by arriving early each morning for davening. As a reward for their dedication, Hollander treated this year’s Minionaire Club members to a trip to a San Diego Padres game. Adding to the excitement, the outing took place on Jewish Heritage Night, making the experience even more meaningful. Students not only celebrated the reward of their hard work and commitment throughout the year, but also had the opportunity to celebrate their Jewish identity alongside the larger Jewish community of San Diego.
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Coastal Gan Preschool reports its main focus this week was on emotions. Through songs, conversations, books, and real-life experiences, they practiced recognizing feelings in each other, talked about how feelings change throughout the day, and how to support one another when friends are happy, laughing, frustrated, scared, or crying.
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SCY High School reports its graduates of 2026. These include Leivy Caplan, Shiloh Dimenstein, Asher Eilemberg, Adin Factor, Zachary Johnson, Ari Kaplan, and Aaron Loven. Mazel Tov!
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Congregation Dor Hadash reports its song leader, Hilly Rubin, will be leaving for rabbinical school at Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem. The congregation will be presenting him with a farewell gift to use in Israel, and following Shabbat services on Friday, June 5, a special Oneg will be in his honor. Click here to rsvp.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Nancy Abelon has died. She was the wife of Dean Abelon, mother of Josh (Kin) Abelon, Ben (Erin) Abelon, and grandmother of Henry and Ada. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, June 4, at El Camino Memorial Park, Congregation Beth Israel reports.
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Mary Criqui has died. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 10, at Ner Tamid Synagogue, that congregation reports.
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Joseph Perlmutter has died. The funeral was held on Tuesday, June 2, at El Camino Memorial Park with Rabbi Ralph Dalin of Jewish Federation of San Diego as officiant, Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.