By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of each Hebrew month, has long been considered a special observance for Jewish women. According to tradition, women were rewarded with this holiday for refusing to contribute their jewelry to the creation of the Golden Calf.
The moon’s monthly cycle has also been associated with women’s experiences and, in Jewish mysticism, with the Shekhinah, the feminine aspect of God’s Divine Presence.
Since the 1970s, Jewish feminist groups have helped revive Rosh Chodesh celebrations through monthly gatherings featuring prayer, study, spirituality and community.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust Speaker Series announces its “Second Tuesday of the Month: Sandra Scheller” at 6 p.m., Tuesday, November 10, at the San Diego Central Library. Scheller, a child of survivors Ruth and Kurt Sax, curator and creator, talks about her parents being Holocaust survivors. Her mother was in camps, and her father escaped.
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Beth Jacob Congregation announces its “Adventures in Bereshis with Brandon Fisher” at 7 p.m., Tuesdays, November 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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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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Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Men’s Club announces its “Veterans Day Program” at 10:30 a.m. on 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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Tifereth Israel Synagogue announces “Mah Jongg Lessons” at noon on Wednesdays, November 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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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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Temple Emanu-El and Ohr Shalom Synagogue announce “Living with Cancer Support Group” at 4 p.m., Thursdays once a month, rotating at both synagogues. At Ohr Shalom Synagogue: October 8, 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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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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San Diego Center for Jewish Culture announces “Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony with Beejhy Barhany, Restaurant Owner and Author of Gursha: Timeless Recipes for Modern Kitchens” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 12, at Lawrence Family JCC. This event will include coffee, conversation, and storytelling. Barhany will share reflections on Ethiopian Jewish heritage, migration, resilience, and the traditions that connect us across generations. Click here for tickets.
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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, November 12 at San Diego Kollel. This event is a weekly parsha discussion and will be held in person and on Zoom.
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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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Israeli American Council presents “The Stories Behind Fauda: A Conversation on Israeli Storytelling and the Making of Fauda Season 5” at 6:15 p.m., Tuesday, November 24. This event will feature untold stories, what went into creating the new season, and a rare opportunity to meet the people behind the global phenomenon. Featured speakers in the series are director Omri Givon; actress”Dana”; Meirav Shirom; actor “Eli”, Yaakov Zada Daniel; and producer and executive producer, Liat Benasulv. Click here to register and receive the address.
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Israeli American Council’s Young Families announces its “Hanukkah Celebration” at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, December 5. This young families event includes a celebration filled with a community candle lighting and celebrating traditions and holiday spirit. Click here to register and receive the address.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
Downtown announces its “Jewish Insights” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10. 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. on Tuesday, November 10. 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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La Costa presents “Kabbalah and the Hidden Architecture of You with Rebbetzin Nechama Eilfort” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, November 10. Eilfort 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 register.
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East County presents “Tal Ramon: Son of Israeli Astronaut Lost on the Columbia Shuttle” at 7:30 p.m. on 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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University City announces its “Veterans Day Breakfast Honoring all who Served with speaker Rabbi Yehoshua Rubin” at 8 a.m., Wednesday, November 11. Rubin is a rabbi with Chabad-Lubavitch Emissary and the United States Navy Chaplain who will give a special address of morning gratitude, unity, and inspiration. Click here to rsvp.
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Downtown’s Rosh Chodesh Society announces its “Nest Genesis: A Monthly Educational Series for Women” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays, November 11, January 13, February 10, March 10, April 7, and May 5. This women’s event will feature thought-provoking learning, meaningful conversations, and inspiring connections. Click here to rsvp.
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Coastal Chabads Women’s Group presents “Caffeine for the Soul: Elevate Your Daily Grind” at 1 p.m., Thursday, November 12. This weekly women’s discussion group will focus on Kabbalah topics. Click here to rsvp.
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ONLINE OFFERINGS
Ohr Shalom Synagogue presents Parshat HaShavua Im Meforshim at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 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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AROUND THE COUNTY
Repair the World and the Lawrence Family JCC are partnering with the Tzedek Program, which will create volunteer service experiences for the local Jewish community. Michelle Jacobson, Teen Program Coordinator at the Lawrence Family JCC, joined the partnership cohort to use this service to show a new generation that volunteering is a core part of what it means to be Jewish.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Edna Mae Lightsey has died. She was the mother of Jim Lewis. The funeral will be at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10, at Ohr Shalom Synagogue, Ohr Shalom Synagogue reports.
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Murray Rogow has died. He was the husband of Ruthe Rogow, father of Robin (Michael) Goldbarg, Sheri (Frederick) Johnson, David (Irene) Rogow, Mark (Kathy) Rogow, Scott (Maureen) Rogow, grandfather of Ryan, Jaclyn, Rachael (z”l), Shayna, Sarah, Brenna, great-grandfather of Dane, Dominic, DJ, and Devin. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 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.