By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
Tomorrow is October 7th. A day that will never be the same for the Jews of the World. We all remember where we were when we heard about the Hamas attacks. We continue to feel the loss of those taken from us on that horrible day and the days after.
Events happening tomorrow as we remember:
Lawrence Family JCC announces its “Remember October 7: To Dream Again” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, October 7. This event will include gathering in remembrance, art, song, and silence, to hear the voices of those who lost and kept going, and to stand together in the strength it takes to dream again. Click here to rsvp and to receive the location.
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Zaka Search and Rescue volunteers were among the first to respond. For weeks, they performed Chesed Shel Emes, recovering the dead, honoring every soul, bringing closure to families. Click here to read firsthand accounts of the first responders.
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My Jewish Learning will be holding “Kaddish Minyan: Remembering October 7 with Rabbi Menachem Creditor” at 1 p.m., Wednesday, October 7. Click here to receive the Zoom link.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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Temple Emanu-El and Ohr Shalom Synagogue announce “Living with Cancer Support Group” at 4 p.m., Thursday, October 8 at Ohr Shalom Synagogue. This group will meet once a month, rotating at both synagogues. At Ohr Shalom Synagogue: December 10, February 11, 2027, April 8, June 10, August 12, October 14, December 9. At Temple Emanu-El: November 12, January 14, 2027, March 11, May 13, July 8, September 9, November 11. This support group, led by Sara Fainstein, PhD, is not a therapy group but is open to all adult members of both synagogues who have a cancer diagnosis, both currently in treatment and in remission. Organizers say no outside food is allowed; tea, coffee, water, and cookies will be provided. Click here to register.
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MGSDII also announced its “Salon Dinner Reception: Meet the Fall Professors” at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 8 in La Jolla. The event includes a fall welcome reception for the visiting professors and salon members. Click here to rsvp and to receive the address.
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Beth Jacob Congregation presents its “Noah’s Ark Petting Zoo” at 5 p.m., Sunday, October 11. This event will include a petting zoo of farm animals and feature Moishe’s BBQ Grill with hot dogs, hamburgers, wings, schnitzel, and fries available for purchase.
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Temple Emanu-El announces its “Artisan Festival: Hosted by the Women of Temple Emanu-El” at 9 a.m. on Sunday, November 1. This event will include locally made pottery, jewelry, woodwork, glass, textiles, holiday gifts, and Chanukah items. There will be opportunity drawings – win works donated by the artisans- and silent auctions for gift cards, services, and more.
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Antisemitism Task Force San Diego, Stand With Us, Art Over Hate Collective, and Christian and Jewish Alliance announce “The Third Annual Solidarity Event: Christians and Jews Unite with Israel and Against Antisemitism” at 6 p.m., Sunday, November 1, in Carlsbad. This event will be led by Rabbi Hanan Leberman of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, survivors of the October 7 attack, Guy and Gal Gilboa-Dalal, and Pastor Dave Menard of The Mission Church. The program will include unity, music, love, and prayer. Click here to rsvp and to receive the address.
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Congregation Beth El presents “Vav: Live in Concert” at 7 p.m., Sunday, November 1. This event includes a 16-piece band that will perform decades of songs featuring the music of Carole King, Rush, Billy Joel, Maroon 5, and more. Click here to rsvp.
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American Jewish Committee San Diego presents “Looking Ahead After the Elections: Exclusive Briefing with Jason Isaacson” at 7 p.m., Thursday, November 5, in the La Jolla area. This event will be led by Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer Isaacson on the impact of the October elections in Israel, the midterm elections in the United States, and the collective impact on the Middle East. Click here to register and to receive the address.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Men’s Club announces its “Veterans Day Program” at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 11. This ceremony is open to all military veterans and their guests regardless of their synagogue affiliation. Members of all branches of military service and the IDF are invited.
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Lawrence Family JCC announces “Day of American Mah Jongg with Michele Frizzell” at 10 a.m., Monday, November 16. This event will be led by Frizzell, a renowned instructor, author of the American Mah Jongg Primer series, and YouTube Mah Jongg star with over 46,000 subscribers. She will share tips to boost your game, followed by an opportunity to play alongside her. Click here to register.
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Holocaust Living History Workshop Series announces “Holocaust Memory and its Discontents: The Case of Germany, Featuring Michael Rothberg” at 5 p.m., Thursday, November 19, at the Geisel Library at the University of California San Diego. Professor Rothberg will trace the rise of what became known as the “German model” of addressing a nation’s own crimes.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
Downtown presents its “Ladies Jewish Book Club” starting Wednesday, October 7, with discussion of Hostage: A Bestselling War Memoir of Survival and the Human Spirit in Gaza by Eli Sharabi. Click here to rsvp for the address and time. Other dates include Wednesday, December 16: The Matchmaker’s Gift; Wednesday, February 17: Conversations with My Rabbi; Wednesday, May 19: The Happiest Man on Earth; and Wednesday, July 21: Lioness: Golda Meir.
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Coastal Chabads Women’s Group presents “Caffeine for the Soul: Elevate Your Daily Grind” at 1 p.m., Thursday, October 8. This weekly women’s discussion group will focus on Kabbalah topics. Click here to rsvp.
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East County’s Jewish Women’s Circle announces its “Torah and Tea: Reclaiming Tzedakah, The Art of Giving” at noon, Thursday, October 15. This women’s event is a time to pause from the busy week, refresh your spirit, and connect with friends. Click here to rsvp.
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East County announces its “Tanya Soul Sessions” at noon, Tuesdays, starting October 20. This weekly Torah class will discuss the what’s and whys of Judaism based on Kabbalah and Jewish philosophy and also include lunch. Click here to sign up.
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Downtown’s Rosh Chodesh Society presents “Next Genesis” at 7 p.m., Wednesdays, October 21, November 11, January 13, February 10, March 10, April 7, and May 7. This monthly women’s gathering will feature thought-provoking learning, meaningful conversations, and inspiring connections. Click here to sign up.
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ONLINE OFFERINGS
Ohr Shalom Synagogue presents Parshat HaShavua Im Meforshim at 5:30 p.m. on 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. on Thursdays, once a month starting October 8 through April, on Zoom. 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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Yiddishland presents its “Jews and Jazz with Yale Strom” at 10 a.m., Sunday, October 11, on Zoom. Strom will lead this session on the Jewish-Black musical connection of Benny Goodman, who integrated small groups that included major Black musicians such as Teddy Wilson and Lionel Hampton, along with Gene Krupa when interracial bands were still unusual in segregated America. Click here to register for the session.
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American Jewish Committee’s Advocacy Anywhere announces its “Understanding Israel’s Upcoming Elections” at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 13, on Zoom. The presentation will include Amit Segal, Chief Political Analyst, Channel 12 (Israel), Tal Shalev, Senior Reporter, CNN Jerusalem, and will be moderated by Lt. Col. (res.) Avital Leibovich, Director, AJC Jerusalem. On October 27, Israelis will head to the polls for the first time since October 7 in an election that could reshape the country’s political landscape. Click here to register.
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Holocaust Living History Workshop Series presents “Anne Frank: Her World and Ours, Featuring Ruth Franklin”, at 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, on Zoom. Franklin will discuss some lesser-known aspects of the diary’s creation and reception, as well as the urgency of Anne Frank’s story in today’s society. Registration is not required, and a link to watch the talk will be emailed on Thursday, October 22.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Ner Tamid Synagogue reports partnering with Our Father’s Grace Ministries, The Interfaith Community of San Diego, and Our Community Partners for its “Stuffed Animal Drive” with drop-off from October 1 until October 25 inside the office of Ner Tamid. Stuffed animals should be new and 10-12 inches in size and will benefit the children at Ronald McDonald House Charities and University of California San Diego Health.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue’s Mitzvah of the Month is a community outreach lasagna. On Sunday, November 1, the Shul School will be making lasagnas for people in the community. This outreach program is to help people from the Ner Tamid community who would appreciate some support and are recovering physically, mentally, or emotionally. Click here to donate supplies.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.