(Col. 21, Feb. 24, 2011)
Compiled by Donald H. Harrison
Jewish Organizations
The Agency for Jewish Education sponsors a presentation by Ghada Osman, SDSU’s director of Islamic and Arabic Studies, on encounters between Judaism and Islam at 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 28, at the Carlsbad Library, 1775 Dove Lane.
This weekend, the J*Company begins production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Lawrence Family JCC. Each time, the J*Company presents a play, there is an educational project associated with it. Joseph was an advisor to the Pharoah, so cast members will be sending letters of advice to modern day political leaders including Gov. Jerry Brown and Mayor Jerry Sanders about the importance of funding for the arts. In this year’s production, Daniel Myers plays Joseph, and Jacob Davis portrays Pharaoh.
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Knowing that not everyone can attend its gala fundraising dinner, Jewish Family Service is allowing people to bid in advance and some of the more intriguing auction items: “How about a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, like a ride on a fighter jet? Or a backstage pass to a New York Fashion Week show? The chance to attend a game at Cowboys Stadium in Founders All Access Box Seats?” To pre-bid, call Laura Magid at (858) 637-3025
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The Jewish Studies Program of San Diego State University is sponsoring a cantata composed by artist-in-residence Yale Strom based on the 1911 tragedy of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire in which 147 women garment workers, many of them Jewish immigrants, perished in flames or jumped to their deaths from a 10-story sweat shop. The program at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 23, at SDSU’s Rhapsody Hall, will be introduced by Sue Gonda, president of the Grossmont College Academic Senate and a professor of women’s history. It will be reprised at 7 p.m., Sunday, April 10, in historic Temple Beth Israel in Heritage Park in Old Town San Diego. Composer Strom will play the violin for the cantata, with his wife, Elizabeth Schwartz, providing vocals. Mark Dresser will be on contrabass, Fred Benedetti on guitar and mandolin, and Lou Fannuchi on accordion. Fannuchi also will sing.
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Longtime television newswoman Cokie Roberts and her husband, Steve Roberts, will make a presentation at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 16, at the Lawrence Family JCC on creating an interfaith Haggadah for couples, like them, who come from different religious traditions.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue will host a symposium from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, March 6, on the meaningful roles that women in various faith traditions play in their religions. The Poway Interfaith Team, which is the sponsor of the event, notes that since 1987, by a resolution of Congress, March is considered National Women’s History Month.
Jews in the General Community
Judaica artist Jacqueline Jacobs has a gig teaching at the Bravo School of Art. She will be instructing for-fee courses in how to make a matzoh cover and how to make a tallit.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted at donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com