By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
Israel is a parliamentary democracy with three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. Its parliament, the Knesset, has 120 members elected through proportional representation. Voters choose parties rather than individual candidates, and seats are distributed according to each party’s share of the vote.
Because no party has won a majority on its own, Israeli governments rely on coalitions. The center-right Likud and center-left Labor have historically dominated, although Labor’s influence has declined.
The prime minister leads the governing coalition, while the president, elected by the Knesset to a single seven-year term, serves primarily as head of state.
Israel has no formal written constitution. Instead, its Basic Laws establish the framework of government, including the judiciary and the Supreme Court. An independent press, despite military censorship of certain information, also plays an important role in holding the government accountable.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Beth Jacob Congregation announces its “Adventures in Bereshis with Brandon Fisher” at 7 p.m., Tuesdays, October 27, November 3, 10, 17, 24. These sessions will discuss life-changing insights for personal growth and everyday life from the first book of the Torah. Click here to join the WhatsApp for updates.
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San Diego Center for Jewish Culture presents “Graphic Novel Book Talk” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27 at the Lawrence Family JCC. Yossi Vassa and illustrator Yarden bring Yossi’s immigration story from Ethiopia to Israel to life through animation, live painting, readings, and illustrated slides, exploring how personal experiences become a graphic novel. Click here for artist talk and click here for graphic novel book talk.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue announces “Mah Jongg Lessons” at noon on Wednesdays, October 28, November 4, 11, 18, and December 2. This is a six-week session to learn how to play Mah Jongg in a fun, welcoming environment. If you are new to the game or have always wanted to learn, this is a great opportunity to learn the basics, meet new people, and enjoy a game that brings people together across generations. Click here for more details.
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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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Beth Jacob Congregation presents its “Halacha: Happy Hour with Sushi and Beer” at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. These sessions are led by Rabbi Baruch Frankel, who will explore learning from Gemara to practical halacha.
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San Diego Center for Jewish Culture announces its “Treasures of the Jewish Music Collection: Explore the Music of the Astor Judaica Library” at 2 p.m. on Thursdays, October 29, December 3, February 25, April 15, and May 13, at the Lawrence Family JCC. Eileen Wingard and a community of music aficionados will showcase and appreciate iconic musical gems from the Astor Judaica Library’s Jewish music collection from Russia’s Jewish Folksong Society, French-Jewish Composers, and more. Click here to register.
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Young Israel of San Diego presents “Let’s Talk Parsha with Rabbi Eddie Rosenberg” at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 29 at San Diego Kollel. This event is a weekly parsha discussion and will be held in person and on Zoom.
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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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American Technion Society announces its “After the Vote: Michael Oren on Israel’s Future, A Webinar on Israel’s October 27 Elections” at 9 a.m., Monday, November 2 on Zoom. Former Israeli ambassador Oren will lead this session and decode the results and explore the political forces shaping not just coalition negotiations, but Israel’s future. Discover what voting patterns reveal about a profoundly changed Israeli electorate, how three years of conflict have reshaped public opinion, and what it all means for Israel’s security, national unity, and place in the world. Click here to register.
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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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Congregation Beth Israel’s Men’s Club announces its “Men’s Discussion Group” at 10 a.m., Monday, November 9, on Zoom. This forum is for men who are members to meet together, enjoy camaraderie, and discuss relevant issues. Meetings are held every second and fourth Monday of each month. Click here to receive the Zoom link.
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Lawrence Family JCC announces its “Art of Intentional Parenting: Fewer Power Struggles, More Connection” at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, November 12. This session is co-led by Rabbi and Rebbetzin Geiger and Debbie Zeichnew, LCSW, who will discuss how Judaism’s wisdom teaches kavod (respect) and Shalom Bayit (peace in the home). Click here to register.
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Jewish National Fund USA announces its “Global Conference for Israel: Unite for Israel’s Future” Thursday, November 12 through Sunday, November 15 at the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center in Chula Vista. This event will honor 125 years of Jewish National Fund-USA and its Global Conference for Israel. Thousands of passionate Zionists will converge for four days of inspiration, community, and connection. Speakers include Dara Horn, award-winning author, founder and president of the Tell Institute; Ronen Bergman, esteemed Israeli investigative journalist, New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winner; Noa Cochva, Former Miss Israel and IDF Combat Medic; Eli Wininger, IDF Special Forces master sergeant, ultra-endurance athlete, longevity coach and speaker; and Chris Caresnone, “the Babka King,” speaker, creator, and community builder. More announcements are coming soon. Click here to register.
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Congregation Beth Israel announces its “Discover Jewish Morocco Informational Meeting” at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 5. Participants will have dinner and time together as they look ahead at this journey that is scheduled for Saturday, November 6 through Tuesday, November 16, 2027. Click here to rsvp.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
Downtown announces its “Jewish Insights” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27. This session will include inspiration, learning, connection, and growth. Torah study class that is open to men and women. Click here to rsvp.
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University City presents its “Kabbalah and the Hidden Architecture of You with Rabbi Effy Kahn” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, October 27. Kahn will lead these six lessons on reincarnation, soulmates, dreams, names, and what these mysteries reveal about the hidden design of your life. Click here to sign up.
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Downtown presents “Rabbi and Retirees Luncheon” at noon, Wednesday, October 28. This event will include lunch and an inspiring message. Click here to rsvp.
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Chula Vista announces its “Nurturing Relationships: Jewish Wisdom for Building Deeper, Richer Connection in all Your Relationships” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays, October 28, November 4, 11, 18, 25, and December 2. This six-week-long course led by Rabbi Mendel Katz will explore classic Jewish texts to uncover knowledge and skills for practicing empathy, active listening, agreeable disagreement, interpersonal optimism, and navigating constructive criticism and effective relationship repair. Click here to register.
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Coastal Chabads Women’s Group presents “Caffeine for the Soul: Elevate Your Daily Grind” at 1 p.m., Thursday, October 29. This weekly women’s discussion group will focus on Kabbalah topics. Click here to rsvp.
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East County announces its “Shabbat Friday Night Dinner” at 6 p.m., Friday, October 30. This event will include Shabbat services followed by a community dinner. Click here to rsvp.
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East County presents “Tal Ramon: Son of Israeli Astronaut Lost on the Columbia Shuttle” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 10. This event will be led by Tal, who is the son of Israel’s first astronaut, Ilan Ramon. He will share his family’s legacy through personal storytelling and live music with an inspiring perspective on resilience and the enduring spirit of Israel. Click here to rsvp.
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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 Parsha HaShavua Im Meforshim at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 28, 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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Congregation Beth Israel announces “Discover Jewish Morocco Informational Meetings” at 5:30 p.m. on December 8 on Zoom. This informational meeting will explore the itinerary, learn what to expect, and ask your questions. Click here for the Zoom link.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Antisemitism Task Force San Diego Stand With Us reports Liat Cohen Reeis has stepped down as director after two years on November 19 for personal reasons. Some of the accomplishments include Hebrew Hearts, a strong team of activists, IHRA adoption across San Diego, the Kelani campaign, shalom story time, community education and empowerment, new campaigns, amplifying student voices, building relationships with elected officials, advocacy and education, engaging in local leadership, and strengthening digital presence.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.