Cailin Acosta

Apples for Rosh Hashana Grown Locally

his 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]

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

Historical Fiction Celebrates Righteous Gentiles Saving Little Girl from the Nazis

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]

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Two Years Since Oct. 7 Massacre to Be Commemorated Oct. 9

Jewish 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]

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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

A Tribute to Bill Goldschneider, z”l

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]

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Cailin Acosta, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Pomegranates and Nine Jewish Facts About Them As Rosh Hashanah Approaches

As 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.

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The Meaning of Teshuvah

Sometimes, I would forget and respond that the person asking for forgiveness could never do anything to hurt me on purpose. Then I am reminded that it is that time of year when we apologize, and when I say they are forgiven, I usually get a huge hug, which is a good start for the new year. [Cailin Acosta]

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Mixed-Media Artist Rose Mizrahi Featured at Point Loma Branch Library

When asked which one of her paintings is her favorite, Mizrahi pointed out one of mountains titled “Summit.”  She was on vacation at Mammoth Mountain and got the inspiration to paint when she got home. Mizrahi doesn’t focus on just one genre; if she feels like painting a landscape, then she does, if she feels like painting something in space or cosmos, then she does, which makes her art unique in spanning different genres. [Cailin Acosta]

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Meaning and Customs of the Month of Elul Elucidated

“Elul is the 12th and final month in the Jewish calendar, the sixth month counting from Nisan. Leading up to the High Holidays, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, it is a month that connects the past year with the coming year – a time when we reflect on where we stand and where we should be going,” said Rebbetzin Chaya Andrusier to the Jewish Women’s Circle’s “Torah and Tea” on Thursday, August 28. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Sounding the Shofar During the Hebrew Month of Elul

Yesterday, I attended Chabad of East County’s Jewish Women’s Circle “Torah and Tea.” At the end of the lesson, Rabbi Rafi Andrusier emerged from his office and blew the shofar. When I hear its sound, I always close my eyes and imagine myself transported to Israel, joining my ancestors and the generations before me in the shared act of listening, praying, and setting intentions. [Cailin Acosta]

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Elul is Here; Numerous Jewish Offerings Before the High Holidays

The month of Elul is upon us and marks the period of soul-searching leading up to the High Holidays. [Cailin Acosta]

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‘Shoshana’ is a Love Story Set in Pre-Independence Israel

Set in Tel Aviv between 1938 and the mid-1940s, the story follows the tragic romance between Shoshana Borochov (Irina Starshenbaum) — daughter of one of the founders of socialist Zionism — and British police officer Tom Wilkin (Douglas Booth). [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, International, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Mystery Novel Tells of Art Heist’s Aftermath

In 2012, Rotterdam’s Kunsthal Museum was under renovation when three thieves—siblings Piet and Luuk Berkhof and their friend Ineke—pulled off a daring heist. They escaped with four masterpieces: two Monets, a Picasso, and Woman with Eyes Closed by “Hochberg.” [Cailin Acosta]

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‘Modeh Ani’: A Good Way to Start Your Morning

The prayer acknowledges that there is something bigger than us and that G-d gave us life and can easily take it away. It is a time to acknowledge that one day we will not live to see another day and to be grateful for the day we were blessed with. [Cailin Acosta]

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Red String Bracelets Used as Amulets

Red string bracelets have been worn to protect against the evil eye and keep bad luck away. Madonna made these bracelets popular, and they were being sold at the Kabbalah Centre. [Cailin Acosta]

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