The sukkah also recalls the Israelites’ years in the desert, where they lived in temporary shelters and relied upon Hashem for protection. Its temporary nature provides a physical reminder that security does not come exclusively from walls and roofs. (Cailin Acosta)
A good neshama is key to true teshuvah Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
To think about how we have lived this past year, how we want to improve ourselves in the year to come, and who we want to be. [Cailin Acosta]
Self-reflections during the Days of Awe Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and FoodShould you take a nap on Rosh Hashanah? It is a praiseworthy custom not to sleep during the day on Rosh Hashanah, as the day is considered the “New Year” and a time for spiritual preparation. The Talmud notes that if one sleeps at the beginning of the year, “his good fortune also sleeps.” [Cailin Acosta]
It’s a custom to refrain from napping on Rosh Hashanah Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined ContributorsThe Hebrew word ruach can mean wind, spirit or breath. The class connected it to the biblical account of Hashem breathing a soul into humanity and to the uniquely human ability to communicate thoughts through speech. [Cailin Acosta]
Air represents ruach, or confidence, an element of teshuvah Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined ContributorsAnti-Defamation League of San Diego announces “Confronting Extremism: Oren Segal in Conversation with Father Brent Kruger” at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, in Carmel Valley. [Cailin Acosta]
Jewish, Catholic perspectives on extremism to be aired Sept. 9 Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAAs Rosh Hashanah approaches, a recent High Holiday “Torah and Tea” class taught by Rebbetzin Chaya Andrusier at Chabad of East County, encouraged participants to look beyond the familiar traditions of the holiday and consider deeper questions of purpose, identity and connection to Hashem. (Cailin Acosta)
Looking beyond the favorite High Holiday traditions Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined ContributorsThe 9/11 story is the account of four coordinated terrorist hijackings by 19 al Qaeda militants on September 11, 2001, which killed nearly 3,000 people and targeted the two buildings of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a fourth site thwarted by passengers. (Cailin Acosta)
Sept. 11 anniversary coincides with Erev Rosh Hashanah Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, International, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USAA constant need to escape can be another expression of excess water. Always needing to travel, experience something new or get away from one’s current circumstances can prevent a person from finding comfort where they are. Instead of steering the boat, they become like jellyfish carried wherever the tide takes them. [Cailin Acosta]
‘Water’ in an analogy is an element of teshuvah Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined ContributorsHere in San Diego County, approximately one in four Jewish households live in or on the edge of poverty. Many struggle quietly. They may even be our neighbors or friends. An illness, job loss, divorce, aging, or one unexpected crisis can suddenly change a family’s life. [Cailin Acosta]
What kind of year can we help create for someone else? Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, News Media, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and FoodUnfortunately, antisemitism is still an issue around the world and is upsetting to read about in our own San Diego County. The No Place for Hate response is that if you hear something, say something; do not be a bystander, but stand up when hate is encountered. We should support each other. (Cailin Acosta)
Antisemitism still an issue around the world and here in San Diego County Read More »
animals, Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Judaism, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and FoodFor the purposes of the class, the dragon represents the yetzer hara, the internal force that gets in the way of our growth. It is part of us yet can feel as though it is working against us. The yetzer hara may tell us to take the easy path, give in to insecurity, abandon our goals or settle for less than our potential. [Cailin Acosta]
Teshuvah vows often fade like secular New Year’s resolutions Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined ContributorsJewish Federation San Diego announces that registration is open for next May’s Community Trip to Israel, which lasts from Tuesday, May 18 through Tuesday, May 25. An upcoming information session will be held on Zoom at 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, to answer questions. Click here to register. [Cailin Acosta]
Federation’s Information session on Thursday for next year’s trip to Israel Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, California, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Created in collaboration with the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, the Chinese American GI Project and the local community, the exhibition explores the journeys of Jewish refugees to Shanghai and their lives during and after World War II. (Cailin
Acosta)
San Diego’s Chinese museum tells stories of Shanghai refugees Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USAFor Jewish refugees fleeing Europe during and after World War II, Shanghai became both a refuge and a place of uncertainty. But not every Jewish family experienced Shanghai in the same way. [Cailin Acosta]
Shanghai Jewish memories: 2 community members relate families’ stories Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, International, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, San Diego County, USA