San Diego County

Terry Wunder: Rejoicing in a Jewish Identity

Growing up, Wunder had a mixed set of experiences – a family that loved him and was very protective of him versus schoolmates and authority figures who singled him out because he was Asian. “It was anything from kids making fun of your eyes to the food that you eat, or assuming you speak another language and making fun of it, even if you don’t,” recalled Wunder, who works today as Director of Community Engagement for Temple Solel in Encinitas. Wunder is also one of 15 persons across the nation chosen in 2022 for a Wexner Field Fellowship. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Fred Kropveld, Jewish Religion, San Diego County

Jewish Vets Share Their Military Experiences

Julius Katz shared the story of his friend who spoke fluent German and was in WW II stationed at a camp in Europe near the end of the war, He was awakened from a deep sleep and summoned into the main room where there about a dozen Nazi soldiers fully armed. He and his troops were quite frightened, and his friend spoke to them in German asking them what they wanted, they responded to him in German that they came to surrender, and he told them in German to drop their arms and raise their arms which they did . [Bill Sperling]

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Jewish History, San Diego County, USA

Who Are We? San Diego County Jewish Demographic Study Released

Editor’s Note: The executive summary of the demographic study of San Diego’s Jewish population is published below.  A community meeting will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sunday,  Dec. 3rd at the Lawrence Family JCC to gather, interpret the results, and gain community insight.  As space is limited, registration via this website is

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Judaism, San Diego County

Audience Delights in Familiar Songs of ‘Mamma Mia’

It’s been a hard month not only for all of us in the Jewish community, but for the entire San Diego community.  With all of the unrest and strife happening, the audience at Broadway In San Diego’s Mamma Mia was ready to let loose and revel in the joyous ABBA songs that make up the backbone of this whimsical show at the Civic Theatre. [Sandi Masori]

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San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

‘Celebration of Life’ Ceremony Scheduled Nov. 18 for Former Assemblyman Howard Wayne

A “celebration of life” for the late former Assemblyman Howard Wayne (D-San Diego) has been scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 18, at Elijah’s Restaurant, 7061 Clairemont Mesa, according to his wife Mary Lundberg. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County

San Diego County Vigil Held Online for Hostages Taken by Hamas

Hundreds of San Diegans who viewed a “Bring Them Home” webinar to rescue the estimated 240 hostages abducted from Israel to the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, were urged on Tuesday evening, Nov. 7, to take five steps to help bring about the hostages’ release from the Hamas terror organization. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Middle East, San Diego County

Jews in San Diego, Worldwide Unite to Celebrate Shabbat in Outpouring of Solidarity With Israel

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Press Release) – The Shabbat Project – an international movement that brings together Jews from all walks of life and all levels of observance to keep one Shabbat, celebrated in a spirit of global Jewish unity– took place on Nov. 3-4, 2023, in more than 100 countries and 1,500 cities, with more

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International, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA

Kindness Initiative Appoints Sabrina Kerbel as New Executive Director

SAN DIEGO (Press Release) – Kindness Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing vital support to Jewish households in San Diego County, proudly announces the appointment of Sabrina Kerbel as its new Executive Director. With a strong commitment to helping families navigate life’s challenges, Kerbel is poised to lead the organization in its mission to

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San Diego County

Film on Pittsburgh Synagogue Attack to Air on San Diego Public TV Nov. 13 and 16

  PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (Press Release) — Five years ago, a white supremacist murdered 11 Jews at prayer at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. It was the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history. The killings — one of a series of violent racist attacks committed by an increasingly aggressive white supremacist movement shocked the

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San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

San Diego Philanthropists Come Together in Solidarity for Israel

SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — As Israel’s war with Hamas rages on, uniting as a community in support of Israel is more important than ever. Recently, over 80 San Diego young professionals joined together in solidarity for Israel at Jewish National Fund-USA’s JNFuture Fall Soirée at the Ultimate Skybox at DiamondView Tower to support the

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Israel, San Diego County

Science, Art, Religion Mix at Temple Emanu-El’s Artisans Festival

It was coincidence that two artisans who exhibited their work at Temple Emanu-El’s artisans festival on Sunday, Nov. 5, both had scientific backgrounds. Jonathan Rosenberg had worked prior to retirement as an immunologist at PharmaGen and at Becton, Dickinson (BD) during 16 years of his career. Anita Hettena was a biology professor, specializing in the teaching of anatomy, at San Diego City College. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

Rabbi Alexis Berk: ‘Sacredness Is Everywhere’

Editor’s Note: This is the 7th chapter in Volume 3 of Editor Emeritus Donald H. Harrison’s 2022 trilogy, “Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5.”  All three books as well as others written by Harrison may be purchased from Amazon.com. Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5, Volume 3, Exit 38 (Manchester Avenue): Temple Solel

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County

Former Assemblyman Howard Wayne Dies on His 75th Birthday

Former State Assemblyman Howard Wayne died Thursday, Nov. 2 on his 75th birthday at Scripps Green Hospital after lapsing into a coma, his wife Mary Lundberg announced Saturday.  Plans were being made for a private burial service and for a subsequent celebration of Wayne’s life and accomplishments, she said. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County