Philanthropy & Volunteerism

The Soille Family Makes an Impact in San Diego

Rabbi Soille davened at the Beth Jacob synagogue which was located at the time in North Park.  While the synagogue did not have a mechitza, Rabbi Soille would daven in the front area by the bimah which was surrounded by a metal rod iron wall.  Rabbi Soille was very close with the Rabbi of the synagogue, Rabbi Baruch Stern, and they would eat over at each other’s homes on Shabbat. [Avraham Dimenstein]

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International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

OU Gala Marks Organization’s 125th Anniversary

From its beginnings as a kosher certification agency to its ongoing enrichment of Jewish life, advancement of community-driven solutions, and building a growing, religiously vibrant, and caring community, the OU’s achievements were showcased at a recent gala celebrating its 125-year legacy and honoring the people behind its success. [Press Release]

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Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, USA

Researcher Assembles Biographies of the Late Rabbi Henry & Rebbetzin Esther Soille

All the Jewish fundraisers knew they could count on a sizable donation by stopping by the second floor of the mustard-colored apartment building at 4501 Ohio St. in the North Park district of San Diego.  This had been the residence of Rabbi Henry and Esther Soille (pronounced Swall) since the early 1960’s. [Avraham Dimenstein]

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International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

American-Born German Countess Defied Nazis, Helped Jews, U.S. POWs

Although she was not immune to the antisemitism that was characteristic of socialites at the time, she evolved.  Evidence of her change of heart was recorded by Norman Ebbut, a Berlin correspondent for The Times of London, who quoted a portion of a 1937 conversation with a Nazi party official during a dinner in honor of Tom Watson, chairman of IBM. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Documentary Charts Journey of Honduran Refugees Helped by Jewish Congregation in Seattle

All We Carry is an 87 ½ -minute documentary distributed for sale by Good Docs that follows Honduran refugees through Mexico to their detention at the Tijuana/ San Diego border and later, as adoptees of a Seattle, Washington, synagogue as they awaited a decision on their applications for asylum in the U.S. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Tu B’Shevat Coloring Pages for Children and Adults

With Tu B’Shvat coming on Feb. 13, I found these coloring pages from Joanne Fink Judaica to be printed and colored. As the weather seems to be a bit dreary with possible rain, I thought a fun indoor activity would be nice to share with you all. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

Touring Jaffa and Tel Aviv with a Son from Arizona

The commanding Clock Tower, which is a stone’s throw from the light rail stop, was built in in 1900 in “Palestine” by the Ottoman Sultan, Abdul Hamid II. His purpose was to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the sultan’s reign. Six of these clock towers were built in Palestine, among the stupendous total of about 100 throughout the Ottoman Empire. [Steve Kramer]

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Israel, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, Travel and Food

JFS Accepting Applications for Scholarships of Up to $10,000

Jewish Family Service of San Diego and the Center for Jewish Care at JFS have opened the next round of scholarship applications for Jewish students in the local community pursing higher education — including college, university, graduate or technical school. [Press Release, JFS]

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Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

Seacrest Foundation Schedules Next Gala for Saturday evening, July 26

All proceeds from the Gala will support the Seacrest Village Resident Assistance Fund which provides charitable care for residents in need. These critical funds will provide housing, healthcare, and supportive services to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the residents. [Press Release]

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Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, San Diego County

Taking in the Movies at the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival

The San Diego International Jewish Film Festival is being held at the Lawrence Family JCC. I love going to the movies but since having twins, those typical date nights with my husband are not very common anymore. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, California, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Rain, Human Kindness Give Hope Amid Wildfires

We all breathed a sigh of relief with the little bit of rain that came in over the weekend to help  extinguish the fires in Los Angeles and around San Diego County. As I checked my alerts on my phone, these fires are still not 100% contained. They are still active. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Update on Southern California Wildfire Relief Efforts

These Jewish communities have been extensively impacted. According to the reporting of 27 organizations, we know so far:  446 families (approximately 1,353 individuals) have lost their homes completely. 451 families (approximately 1,514 individuals) have damaged/uninhabitable homes. 47 families have lost their businesses. Approximately 20 professionals who work in the Jewish community have lost their homes. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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California, Heidi Gantwerk, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors