By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
Anti-Defamation League San Diego announces its next Glass Leadership Institute cohort is accepting applications up until Friday, June 26. The program provides an insider’s look and a deeper understanding of the cutting-edge strategies employed to confront antisemitism and hate. Through nine in-person interactive sessions with subject matter experts and a group advocacy experience in Sacramento, GLI empowers participants to combat antisemitism and build connections in the community. Sessions include the state of extremism, an advocacy workshop, an antisemitism deep dive, and a difficult conversations workshop. Click here to apply.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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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Ohr Shalom Synagogue presents “Conversational Hebrew with Elisheva Edelson” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays, June 23, 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28, and August 4 on Zoom. These sessions, led by Edelson, will provide the ability to read texts, understand, and reflect on those texts. Sessions will also focus on the ability to speak, sing, read poetry, and understand modern Hebrew. 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 24. 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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Temple Emanu-El presents its “Cyber Security Seminar” at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 25. This session will be led by Community Security Director Bill Ganley and will discuss cybersecurity threats and how to protect yourself. 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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Congregation Beth El announces its “Plaza Prayer” at 6:15 p.m., Friday, June 26. This event includes an outside gathering of an informal prayer service accompanied by Craig Parks, who will join David Lipsitz and the rabbis for an upbeat Kabbalat Shabbat service. Click here to register.
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Jewish Federation of San Diego announces “An Evening with Adrienne Gold Davis” at 6 p.m., Monday, June 29, at the Hive at Leichtag Commons. Davis, Momentum educator, will lead an inspiring conversation on Jewish wisdom, personal growth, and the power of community. A kosher dinner will be provided. Click here to rsvp.
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Congregation Beth Israel’s Speaker’s Forum and Dinner presents “Dying with Dignity” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 15. This event will be led by Dr. Fiona Danque, Medical Director of Apreva Hospice and a family practitioner in San Diego. She will discuss ways for patients to retain dignity, moderate both physical and psychological pain, and navigate the passage through life’s end. Click here to register.
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The San Diego Center for Jewish Culture announces a save-the-date “The Light at the End of the Tunnel: An Evening with Eli Sharabi” at 7 p.m., Monday, August 24, at the Lawrence JCC. Sharabi will share from his memoir Hostage, where he was taken from his home and held deep within the tunnels of Gaza for 491 days while war raged above. His story is one of profound loss, physical hardship, longing, and loneliness, but also of extraordinary resilience. Tickets will be on sale soon.
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The San Diego Center for Jewish Culture announces a save-the-date “Roya Hakakian” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, September 2, at the Lawrence Family JCC. Hakakian, who is an acclaimed Iranian American author and journalist, will explore identity, exile, authoritarianism, and human rights through her writing and lived experiences. This timely conversation will offer insight into contemporary Iran and the art of telling complex political stories. Tickets will be on sale soon.
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Israeli American Council San Diego presents its “Gala 2026: Strength in Unity” on Thursday, September 3. This year’s gala will honor Talia and Yarin Kastiel-Katz and Evelyn and Morris Drai for their leadership, commitment, and personal example to continue to make a meaningful impact on the Jewish Israeli American community in San Diego. Click here to rsvp and to receive more information.
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The San Diego Center for Jewish Culture announces a save-the-date “Beejhy Barhany” at 7 p.m., Thursday, November 12, at the Lawrence Family JCC. Barhany, the owner of Tsion Café and author of Gursha, will share a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony and conversation, sharing reflections on heritage, migration, resilience, and Ethiopian Jewish life across generations and communities. Tickets will be on sale soon.
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The San Diego Center for Jewish Culture announces a save-the-date “Marc Shaiman” at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, November 1, at the Lawrence Family JCC. Shaiman, author of Never Mind the Happy, will share behind-the-scenes stories from his career in film, TV, and theatre, including SNL and collaborations with Bette Midler and Rob Reiner. Tickets will be on sale soon.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
University City announces its “Sinai and Civics” at 7 p.m., Tuesdays, June 23, 30, July 7, and 14. These sessions will be led by Rabbi Effy Kahn and will reflect on the Jewish ethics, ideas, and values that inspired and influenced America’s founders and that still shape our government and society today. Click here to register.
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East County announces its “Torah Studies: Restrain or Transform?” at 7:15 p.m., Wednesdays, June 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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Carmel Valley’s Jewish Women’s Circle presents its “Torah and Tea: Greeting Moshiach with Joy” at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 25. This session is led by Rebbetzin Mushka Polichenco in honor of her birthday and Chanukat HaBayit’s dedication of her new home. Click here to rsvp.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Evelyn Sherman has died. She was the mother of Alyse (David) Kirschen, Marcia Fellner, Susan (Patrick) Warfield, grandmother of Matthew (Alison) Kirschen, Shayna (Marc) Potash, Todd (Jaclyn) Kirschen, Jason Fellner, Ryan (Sarah) Fellner, Naomi (Jared) Neutel, and Sheryl Warfield, great-grandmother of Ethan, Bella, Haley, Mischa, Jacob, Lucas, Caleb, Eliana, Orli, Olivia, Ezra, Maddie, Aiden, and Makena. The funeral was held on Tuesday, June 23, at Mt Sinai Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, Congregation Beth Israel reports.
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Linda Eaton has died. She was the wife of Gary Eaton, mother of Keith (Danielle) Eaton, Jeff (Stacey) Eaton, grandmother of Noa, Ilona, Rachel, and Aliza, Congregation Beth Israel reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.