By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
Jewish Federation of San Diego reports its “Community Trip 2027 Extension Information Session” will be conducted at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 16, on Zoom.
This community trip to Israel hosts an exclusive extension opportunity to Budapest, where stunning beauty, rich Jewish life, and exclusive Federation access create an experience unlike any other.
Learn all about the exclusive experiences, insider access, and meaningful connections that make this extension so special. Click here to register.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Yiddishland presents “The Sweet Fragrance of Life and Other Horror Stories with Elizabeth Schwartz” at 11 a.m., Sunday, July 12, on Zoom. This event includes a discussion with Schwartz about the factors affecting women across religions and cultures, and the inspiration behind her feminist shtetl horror anthology, The Sweet Fragrance of Life. Click here to rsvp.
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Temple Emanu-El announces its “Music with Michelle Jirkovsky” at 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 14. These sessions led by Jirkovsky include a journey through Jewish music history, from ancient melodies and cantorial greats to Broadway composers, camp songs, contemporary Jewish artists, and secular musicians with Jewish roots. Participants are encouraged to listen, learn, reminisce, sing, and share memories of the music that shaped our identities and communities. Organizers say bagels and coffee will be available. Click here to register.
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Chabad at University City announces its “Sinai and Civics” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 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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Ohr Shalom Synagogue presents “Conversational Hebrew with Elisheva Edelson” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays, July 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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SD Kollel presents its “Ladies Weekly Kollel Café: Women’s Class and Discussion” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 14. This event includes women’s topics and desserts. For more information, call 619-287-9890.
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Beth Jacob Congregation announces its “Halacha: Happy Hour with Sushi and Beer” at 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15. 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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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 life 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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Young Israel of San Diego presents its “Taam Dagan (Or Eating Like a Mensch): Halachot and Hashkafot Related to Food in the Weekly Parsha” at 8 p.m., Thursdays, July 16, 23, and 30, on Zoom. Click here to rsvp and receive the Zoom link.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Sisterhood presents its “Sunset Shuk” at 4 p.m., Sunday, August 2. This event includes 25-plus vendors selling Judaica, handmade items, food, drinks, and celebrating as a community. Click here to rsvp.
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Jewish Federation of San Diego announces its “Mosaic San Diego Launch” at 4 p.m., Sunday, August 9, at Shelter Island. This event is for Jewish 20-40-somethings in San Diego who want more opportunities to organically find their people and build real community. Mosaic is a new collective built by and for young adults across every neighborhood and niche, designing a whole new communal landscape for this generation. Click here to rsvp.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
Downtown presents “Shabbos Kiddush Luncheon in Honor of Rabbi Zalman’s Birthday” at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 11. This event includes Shabbat services and a special kiddush luncheon.
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East County announces a new season of Torah Studies “Happiness is Learned” starting Wednesdays, July 15, until September 23, all sessions led by Rabbi Rafi Andrusier. “Building from the Rubble: The First Step to Rebuilding What’s Broken” at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 15. This session focused on how life’s most painful moments can be reframed as the start of something new. “Memory Is Life: Forgetting Torah Is Life Losing a Part of Yourself” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 21. This session focuses on exploring why Torah isn’t just information, it’s the breath of life, and how forgetting even one word can have profound spiritual consequences. “The Night of Opportunity: The Magic of Evening Torah Study” at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 29. This session will discover how the quiet of the night can deepen Torah study and transform thinking. “The Real Meaning of Tzedakah: Why Giving Shouldn’t Feel Like Earning” at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, August 2. This session will examine how tzedakah reflects a deeper truth: actions only carry weight because G-d has chosen to give them meaning. “When Everyone’s Wrong: How to See the Good When Everyone Else Sees the Bad” at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, August 13. This session will explore the Torah’s fascinating perspective on unanimous judgments and how they often point to a deeper truth. “One Person, Seriously?: Annoying News for Anyone Hoping to Stay Spiritually Off the Grid” at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 19. This session will explore a Torah view where every individual action counts, and where even one mitzvah can tip the cosmic scales. “Gratitude in Two Acts: The Immediate Thank You and the Thoughtful Follow-Up” at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 26. This session explores how the mitzvah to thank G-d for the first fruits teaches us two layers of gratitude: the spontaneous initial thanks, and the deeper reflection that follows. “The Power of Standing Still: Why Paradox of Jewish Law Actually Sets Us Free” at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 2. This session unpacks the paradox of Jewish law: how we are rooted in the unchanging yet constantly urged to innovate. “A Year That Doesn’t Exist: Why Desperation Makes Prayer More Powerful” at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 9. This session will explore how prayer can reach beyond the realm of possibility, changing G-d’s will and fate, even in the most dire circumstances. “A Parent’s Love: Why G-d’s Forgiveness Doesn’t Mean We Can Stay the Same” at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 16. This session will dive deep into why G-d treats us like his beloved children, even when we fall. “The Unsung Hero of Sukkot: The Willow Is More Than Just a Branch” at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 23. This session will examine why the willow is chosen for a special mitzvah, and how it teaches us the importance of simple, unwavering faith as the foundation for all other forms of observance. Click here to sign up.
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Downtown’s Jewish Women’s Circle announces its “Ladies Birthday Celebrations on the Beach at Sunset” at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 16. This women’s event will celebrate the June and July birthdays, making memories by the water. Click here to rsvp.
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University City presents “Tisha B’Av Lecture with Ben Midler” at 11 a.m., Thursday, July 23. Midler will lead this discussion as he was imprisoned in six concentration camps and was the only member of his family to survive. After the war, he fought for Israel’s independence before building a new life in America. Now in his late nineties, he shares his story so the world will never forget. Click here to rsvp.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Robert Horwitz has died. He was the husband of Annette Horwitz, father of Dawn (Johnny) Horwitz-Person, Elise (Scott) Brown, Jill (Scott) Kipnis, grandfather of Tiffany (Jon) Vandehoven, Brandon (Emily) Brown, Cody Brown, Tobey Brown, Aaron Grossman, Mo Grossman, Matthew Kipnis, Mikey Kipnis, great-grandfather of Ruby Vandehoven, Henry Vandehoven, and Lyla Vandehoven. The funeral was held on Friday, July 10, at El Camino Memorial Park, Temple Emanu-El and Am Israel Mortuary report.
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Thomas Pliner has died. He was the husband of Gail Pliner, father of Jon (Emma) Pliner, Nikki (Bernie) Berman, grandfather of Charlie, Theo, Zachary, and Zoey. The funeral will be at 11 a.m., Monday, July 13, at El Camino Memorial Park, Congregation Beth Israel reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.