(Column 10, January 17, 2011)
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News topics
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Rethinking American Jewish Education
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San Diego Israel Coalition is actively promoting the appearance at Congregation Beth El of Rabbi Daniel Gordis, who will be delivering three lectures Feb. 11-12 as the Scholar in Residence. On Friday evening following Shabbat Services, Gordis, senior vice president of the Shalem Center in Israel, will discuss “Coming Home: What is at Stake for the Jewish People in the Survival of the State of Israel.” On Saturday, Feb. 12, during morning Shabbat services, his topic will be: “Why John Lennon Was Wron g–How the State of Israel Could be Key to the Future of Human Freedom.” At a luncehon following the services, he’ll speak on “The Battle for Israel’s Soul: What Israel Could Still Be and How We Can Help It Get There.” Either dinner or lunch on Friday and Sarturday costs $20 for congregation members and $25 for visitors. Tickets for both meals are $36 for members and $46 for visitors.
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Charles Wax, following coverage of the Tucson Massacre, suggests that Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer, got it right when he dismissed as scurrilous charges that the rhetoric of the Tea Party and former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin somehow were responsible for Jared Lee Loughner’s shooting spree in Tucson…..
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Jewish Organizations
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UCSD Prof. William Propp delivers two lectures of interest to the Jewish community later this month. He’ll discuss “Hard Men and Soft Women” in the Hebrew Bible at 11:45 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 19, at the Coronado Library, 640 Orange Avenue, Coronado. Then on Jan. 24, at 8:30 p.m., at the Carlsbad Dove Library at 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad, he’ll discuss man’s fear of castration as a literary theme in the Bible and other ancient works. Both lectures are sponsored by the Agency for Jewish Education. … Among numerous events to be held Sunday, January 30, during AJE’s Yom Limmud at the Lawrence Family JCC will be a salute to some beloved community teachers who have died within the past year: Nomi Levy, Sarah “Chacha” Rubinstein, and Marty Wertlieb.
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Congregation Beth Israel’s Men’s Club will host Dr. Benjamin Schneider, a consultant on work and work motivation for the Valtera Corporation, a Chicago-based Human Resources Consulting Firm. He’ll speak at a deli dinner at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 19, at the congregation, 9001 Towne Centre Drive. Ticket: $14 visitor, $12 member.
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Jewish Family Service sponsors a 4-session workshop using various forms of art to explore such Jewish ethical concepts as gratitude, love and simplicity. The workshop will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 3, through Thursday, Feb. 24, at the JFS Turk Family Center, 8804 Balboa Ave. Teachers are Rabbi Aliza Berk and Galit Shezifi. The fee is $36 and registration is available on line. … Jewish Family Service will honor the following volunteers at its “All You Need Is Love” Heart and Soul Gala on Saturday evening, March 12, at the Hyatt Regency in La Jolla: Esther and Bud Fischer (Hand Up Youth Food Pantry Military Outreach Program); Rebecca McInnis (Embrace-a-Family Holiday Program); and Robert Rubenstein (Rubenstein Family Scholarship). Gala Chairs are Kate Kassar and Lisa Levine, with Dawn Berson, Alysa Kaplan, and Leslie Fastlicht Russo serving as auction chairs. In keeping with the theme, a Beatles tribute band will entertain.
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Eighth-grader Yaakov Adatto won Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School’s geography bee by correctly answering “China” to the following question: “Tianjin, an important port city and manufa turing center, is on the Hai River. Tianjin is in what country.” Next Yaakov will prepare for a written test that could qualify him for the State Level Geography Bee.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue will transform its social hall into a Moroccan casbah at its annual fundraiser at 7 p.m., Saturday, February 26. The evening will include henna artists, Moroccan music and dancing, belly dancing entertainment, and opportunity drawings. Tickets are $180 per person.
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Torah High School sponsors a Casino night and Chinese auction to raise funds and celebrate its bas mitzvah anniversary beginning at 5 p.m. in the social hall of Congregatikon Beth Israel, 9001 Towne Centere Drive. Tickets for the Orthodox girls’ school event are $180, with all proceeds earmarked for the scholarship fund. More information at (858) 558-6880.
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To celebrate Tu B’Shevat, Congregation B’nai Tikvah in Vista will have a tree and book sale at 6:30 p.m., Friday, at 830 S. Melrose prior to evening Shabbat services. The theme of the sale is “Plant a Tree/ Save a Tree.” More information may be found on the congregation’s website.
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Jews in the general community
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San Diego City Councilwoman Marti Emerald led a day of trash and weed clean-up on Monday, January 17, as a salute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in her 7th Councilmanic District. Joining the councilwoman in the district in the eastern part of San Diego were leaders of various community planning groups, labor unions and civic groups.
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Laurel Corona and Kathi Diamant will be among female authors whose work will be featured at the launch party for San Diego Writing Women from 6 p.m to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at Hair Drezzers on Fire, 3463 Adams Avenue. They, and other well known local authors, will read selections from their works and autograph their books, at an invitation-only event on Adams Avenue in San Diego.
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Flutist Er’ella Talmi, whose husband Yoav Talmi once was conductor of the San Diego Symphony, is serving in Tel Aviv as board chair of the Israel Chamber Orchestra. Her current project is to mount a major concert March 14 at the foot of Mount Carmel to spread cheer to the families whose property was damaged or who suffered death or injuries in the December 2010 Carmel fire. To learn more, or to donate, please click here:
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World