Cailin Acosta

Volunteer of the Month Charlotte Freifeld’s Life: Navy and Judaism

After our interview, my impression was that her passions are/were her time in the Navy and her deep Jewish faith. She is a proud veteran who wears her Navy cap everywhere as well as a Star of David around her neck. [Mimi Pollack]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Mimi Pollack, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

El Paso Lights Up Ceremonial Star in Celebration of Hanukkah

As we made it past the Franklin Mountains above the University of Texas at El Paso, there was an illuminated star on the mountainside. I don’t remember the star having been lit as blue prior to this occasion. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

La Mesa Arts Academy Concert Features a Chanukah Medley

Comprised of the more advanced seventh- and eighth-grade musicians, the orchestra performed a medley titled “Chanukah Holiday,” weaving together the “Dreidel Song,” “Tum Balalaika”, and “O Chanukah.” [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Prayers and Cheerful Greetings Should Not Be Confined to This Time of Year

I was surprised the other day when I was attending a doctor’s appointment with a friend and told the checkout staff ‘happy holidays’ as we left. They stared at me and said, “Thank you, you were the first patient to say that to us all day.” I looked at my watch, and it was after 4 p.m. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Chanukah Receives Exposure in La Mesa Village’s Annual Celebration

I was pleasantly surprised to discover a booth sponsored by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) in front of Swami’s Café. Staffed by AJC board members and youth leaders, the booth offered hands-on education about Chanukah, including lessons on how to play dreidel. Regional Director Sara Brown shared that La Mesa Vice Mayor Lauren Cazares personally invited AJC to participate and even stopped by the booth to celebrate with them. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Our Shtetl: Chanukah Display at Parkway Plaza

As I walked in through the entrance near Five Guys Burgers and Fries, I was greeted by a delightful surprise: a Chanukah display set up at the main intersection, right beside the Five Below store. A representative was carefully adding the finishing touches as I passed by. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Our Shtetl: Alternative Latke Recipes

I make a latke variation with just potatoes, onions, and garlic. I shred potatoes, zucchinis, and carrots. I use powdered onion and garlic powder, faux cheese, and fry in olive oil. It probably still makes the same mess of oil splatters as the traditional latkes. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Our Shtetl: A Jewish Rabbit?

Freckles, my beloved angora-mix rabbit, turned 7 on December 4 — the equivalent of 57 in “rabbit years.” My super-cool 13-year-old twins proudly tell everyone that Freckles is a Jewish rabbit. While certainly not kosher, she was blessed in 2019 by then-Rabbi Josh Dorsch of Tifereth Israel Synagogue. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

A Second Chance Coming for New Year’s Resolutions

December has arrived, and the end of 2025 is upon us. Some of my friends say that if they didn’t follow through with their Rosh Hashanah resolutions, they get a re-do on December 31st. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Thanksgiving a Harbinger of Chanukah Tikkun Olam

As I looked on Facebook, I was thrilled to see La Mesa neighbors posting they were gifting plates of Thanksgiving turkey. I am vegan, but I thought it was so generous of neighbors to give to those who do not have a place to go or are struggling to make ends meet. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Travel and Food

‘Julius Katz’ Displays Chanukah Items at California Adventure

From what I’ve gathered, Julius Katz is a fictional Jewish character inspired by Julius the Cat — an early Walt Disney creation that came before Mickey Mouse. Imagine if Julius had become famous instead… we’d all be flocking to a land of cats and dodging “Goofy” dogs! [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

‘Mostly Kosher’ is Such a Nice Band, a Mechayeh!

The band has performed at California Adventure for the past eight seasons. In 2017, I happened to walk past the winery where they were playing and stopped in my tracks, thrilled to hear Yiddish and klezmer jams. Ever since, I’ve made it a point to ensure they’re on the schedule. My teens insist this officially makes me a “groupie.” [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, California, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

California Adventures Celebrates Chanukah with Tchotchkes, Clothing and Food

From November through January, California Adventures transforms into a full-blown celebration of the winter holidays. Not just Christmas, but Diwali, Chanukah, and Navidad as well. The Festival of Holidays brings live performances, specialty food booths, and seasonal drinks. Guests can purchase a Sip and Savor Pass to sample a variety of offerings or buy items à la carte. [Cailin Acosta]

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Business & Finance, Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA