The atmosphere around Simchat Torah is a bit different this year. The hostages have been released after two years in Hamas captivity, and families and people around the world watched their emotional return. [Cailin Acosta]
Simchat Torah and Beyond Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
“I learned a lot today that I never knew about the Holocaust. I thought it only affected people who were Jewish,” said my son, 13-year-old, 8th grader Alex Acosta. [Cailin Acosta]
Family Visit to Holocaust Exhibit is Eye-Opening Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined ContributorsBelow are many fun celebrations around the county celebrating Sukkot and the opportunity to fulfill the three mitzvot of dwelling in a sukkah, shaking the lulav and etrog, and having a meal in a sukkah. [Cailin Acosta]
San Diego Congregations Celebrate Sukkot with Food, Activities Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined ContributorsWe hope that you had a meaningful Yom Kippur. Here is a list of upcoming events. [Cailin Acosta]
Some Upcoming Events Following Yom Kippur Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined ContributorsThis program is for Jewish high school students to join a research-backed initiative that empowers them to combat antisemitism by sharing their Jewish identity and what it means to them personally. Students are provided the conversational and social tools necessary to navigate rising antisemitism and build strong relationships between Jewish and non-Jewish students. [Cailin Acosta]
Federation Conducts Training Program for Students to Fight Antisemitism Read More »
Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
During the Cold War, people wanted to develop their talents so they could emigrate from Russia and lead a better life. Yevgeny’s father writes poetry, his mother is obsessed with ballet, especially Mikhail Baryshnikov, and his brother Victor was a talented ice skater. The story focuses on finding a talent that Yevgeny can focus on so he can live a better life. [Cailin Acosta]
Russian Boy Keeps a Secret under the Table Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, International, Staff and Bylined ContributorsWhen we hear the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, it reminds us that G-d created the world, and He is our King. Additionally, when we hear the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, it reminds us to reflect on our past mistakes and return to G-d. [Cailin Acosta]
The Meaning of the Shofar Blasts Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Travel and Food
Les Misérables is based on the novel written by Victor Hugo in 19th-century France. Jean Valjean undergoes many sacrifices to stay alive and hide his identity. He suffers punishment, prison time, and even fakes his own death. [Cailin Acosta]
‘Les Miserables’ Prompts the People to Sing Read More »
Cailin Acosta, International, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Milana instructed the teens and survivors to come to the tables where the challah dough was already made and had them start with an ice breaker game to get to know each other. [Cailin Acosta]
Teens and Holocaust Survivors Make Challah Together at JFS Event Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Foodhis past weekend was opening day of apple picking in Julian, located in the picturesque Cuyamaca Mountains in San Diego County. Although it was a very warm afternoon in the mountains and not much wind was blowing, we picked our crop of varieties of apples, ranging from Jonathan’s, Empire, Gala, and Golden Delicious from Volcan Valley Apple Farm. They do not need any honey since they are just so wonderful by themselves. [Cailin Acosta]
Apples for Rosh Hashana Grown Locally Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, Travel and Food
Miss Leive, takes Beatrix to Catholic Mass every Sunday to prove she is not Jewish. The Gestapo, unfortunately, raids Miss Leive’s house and sends her to a concentration camp, but Beatrix escaped, and Lars and Hans find her hiding and do more to keep her safe by keeping the blinds closed and not letting her leave the house. [Cailin Acosta]
Historical Fiction Celebrates Righteous Gentiles Saving Little Girl from the Nazis Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Staff and Bylined ContributorsJewish Federation of San Diego, together with the Lawrence Family JCC and the Israeli American Council, will present an evening of remembrance and resilience marking two years since the October 7 attacks on 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 9 at The Sound at Del Mar Fairgrounds. [Cailin Acosta]
Two Years Since Oct. 7 Massacre to Be Commemorated Oct. 9 Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share
One of the book club meetings was hosted at the Goldschneider residence, and afterwards, Bill showed me his wood-carved works around the house and showed me his workstation in the garage. I have no idea how long I stayed marveling at his work, but we connected speaking the language of art. [Cailin Acosta]
A Tribute to Bill Goldschneider, z”l Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined ContributorsAs I am keeping an eye on a neighbor’s pomegranate tree, I wonder each year if they will be ripe and ready before Rosh Hashanah. For many years, we picked buckets full, and for a few years, it’s been just a couple. Every year, I leave a note in their mailbox asking when or if my kids can come and pick from their trees. I always sign the note, from your friendly neighborhood Jew. Giggle.
Pomegranates and Nine Jewish Facts About Them As Rosh Hashanah Approaches Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Judaism, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego Calendar, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food