By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
Here we are in the thick of the High Holy Days. We’re doing our best to use these 10 days (between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) to reflect on our lives: To think about how we have lived this past year, how we want to improve ourselves in the year to come, and who we want to be.
We’re thinking about what we want to let go of and what we want to hold onto from the past year and what we want to change in our lives in 5787. We’re also working on our relationships. Saying “sorry”, seeking forgiveness, and cleaning matters up to the best of our ability.
G’Mar Chatimah Tovah
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Beth Jacob Congregation announces its “Halacha: Happy Hour with Sushi and Beer” at 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16. This event will be led by Rabbi Baruch Frankel and will discuss the experience of learning from Gemarah to practical Halacha.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue presents “Hineni: A Yom Kippur Meditation Experience Guided by Shayna Kaufmann, Ph.D.,” at 4:40 p.m., Monday, September 21, in the Goodman Chapel. Kaufmann will guide an hour of accessible mindfulness practices and reflection centered around three themes: presence (Hineni), compassion (rachamim), and connection. Participants will also explore the spirit of teshuvah. Click here for more information.
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San Diego Center for Jewish Culture announces “An Evening to Savor” at 6 p.m., Wednesday, September 23, at Coastal Roots Farm. This event, led by cookbook author Lisa Kyung Gross will share stories and insights from her work and The League of Kitchens, with dishes inspired by the recipes and traditions featured in her book. Click here to rsvp.
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Congregation Beth El presents its “Sukkot Shabbat Dinner” at 6:15 p.m., Friday, September 25. This event includes Shabbat services, then a communal dinner in the Sukkah. Click here the rsvp.
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Beth Jacob Congregation announces its “Sukkos Dinner Under the Stars” at 7:15 p.m., Friday, September 25. This event includes Shabbat services then a communal dinner in the Sukkah with catering by Moishe’s Grill. Click here to rsvp.
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Congregation Beth Israel presents its “Day of Service” at 9 a.m., Sunday, October 4. This event includes various projects such as painting, sprucing garden beds, preparing school materials and tearing down the sukkah. Click here to rsvp. Refreshments and snacks will be provided.
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StandWithUs announces its “San Diego Leaders of Tomorrow Gala” at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, October 18. The event includes a performance by Idan Raichel, keynote speaker Loay Alshareef, and honoring Jenny Josephson and the legacy of Julian Josephson. The evening will celebrate leadership, courage, community, and the power of standing together. Click here to register and to receive the location.
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San Diego Center for Jewish Culture presents “Roots and Recipes” at 3:30 p.m., Sundays October 25, November 22, and December 13 at the Lawrence Family JCC. This event brings grandparents and grandchildren (ages 8 – 11) together for hands-on cooking, cultural discovery, and intergenerational connection. Families will prepare recipes, share stories, and create a personalized cookbook. Click here for tickets.
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Kindness Initiative announces “An Evening of Kindness: Black and White Edition” at 6 p.m., Wednesday, October 28, in Del Mar Heights. This evening event will bring the community together to celebrate five years and honor the founder, Selwyn Isakow. The event will feature a special fashion show presentation by Kindness G’Mach, cocktails and a Mediterranean feast. Click here to register
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
East County announces a new season of Torah Studies, “Happiness is Learned,” Wednesdays until September 23, all sessions led by Rabbi Rafi Andrusier. “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 deeply into why G-d treats us like his beloved children, even when we fall. Click here to sign up.
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Coastal Chabads Women’s Group presents “Caffeine for the Soul: Elevate Your Daily Grind” at 1 p.m., Thursday, September 17. This weekly women’s discussion group will focus on Kabbalah topics. Click here to rsvp.
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Chula Vista invites the community to attend its “Yom Kippur Services” at 6:45 p.m., Sunday, September 20 and 10 a.m., Monday, September 21. Services will be easy to follow, with traditional tunes, many prayers read in unison in English, and relevant and meaningful insights and explanations throughout. Click here for more information.
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ONLINE OFFERINGS
Congregation Beth Israel announces “Morning Mindfulness with Julie Potiker” at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays on Zoom. Potiker will lead these sessions to start the day and move from a place of fear to a place of calm. In these sessions, participants will experience bringing their attention to the present moment without judgment. Click here to register
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue presents Parshat HaShavua Im Meforshim at 5:30 p.m., Wednesdays, starting October 7 on Zoom. Rabbi Scott Meltzer will lead these weekly classes on the Torah portion through the eyes of traditional commentators. Click here to join the session.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue announces its “Responsa and the Conservative Movement Class” at 7 p.m., Thursdays, once a month starting October 8 through April. This coming year marks the 100th anniversary of the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards (CJLS). This monthly class will explore its history, how it makes decisions, and how its responsa have shaped Conservative Judaism, while letting participants help choose which issues to study. Click here to join the session.
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JEWISH FINANCIAL APPEALS
RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust is asking for donations to help bring Saba Goldschmid’s uniform to San Diego, where it can be preserved and displayed in the Remember Us The Holocaust exhibit at the San Diego Public Library. The uniform was discovered inside a suitcase in a basement, where it had been hidden for more than 60 years along with identifying documents. Click here to donate.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Beth Jacob Congregation reports that congregants and grandparents Leopoldo and Marilyn Kahn announce the engagement of their granddaughter, Adi Amit, to Noam Bursztein in Modiin, Israel. Mazel Tov!
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Mark Thomas has died. He was the husband of Kira Thomas, Tifereth Israel Synagogue reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.