(Col. 22, Feb. 28, 2011)
Compiled by Donald H. Harrison
Simchas
When Allison Ogul became a bat mitzvah over the weekend at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, the congregation led by Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal welcomed many non-Jewish visitors, including relatives of her mother, Sharon Wilson-Ogul. They also came from the staff of the San Diego Union-Tribune, where Allison’s dad, David Ogul, serves as an assistant metropolitan editor. David impressed all with his Torah reading ability, particularly because he was able to master Sephardic trop even though he is of Ashkenazic background. Allison’s ebullient personality came through when after completing her bat mitzvah, she practically clicked her heels jumping for joy. Sharon’s emotional speech from the bima extolling her daughter’s accomplishment moved many in the congregation.
*
Dan and Samantha Greene named their daughter Lexington Nichole in a ceremony officiated by Rabbi Matthew Earne on Sunday at Congregation Beth Am. Those with a love of American history pointed out that Lexington Green(e) was one of the places where the American Revolution against the British began. One could describe it as practically patriotic that Concord grape wine was used to make Kiddush. Lexi Greene is the granddaughter of Roberta and Norman Greene, the latter of whom celebrated his 69th birthday the day of the baby naming..
*
Ghada Osman, professor of Islamic and Arabic studies at SDSU, speaks at 7 p.m. tonight at the Carlsbad Library, 1775 Dove Lane, on the historic relationships between Islam and Judaism, beginning with the Quranic verses about Judaism. Her lecture is sponsored by the Agency for Jewish Education.
*
Chabad at La Costa has a tiny parking lot, which can accommodate only eight cars. Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort, in the congregation’s newsletter, pleads for parking discipline. In his behalf, we say the way to remember how many cars should be there is to think of the number of candles, minus the shamash, on a channukiah!
*
One of the works of UCLA Political Science Prof. Steven Spiegel is World Politics in a New Era. Perhaps with the tumult in the Arab world, he will have to put out a new edition called World Politics in a Newer Era. An audience may find out at 7 p.m. tonight (Monday) when he addresses an audience at Congregation Beth Israel in an appearance sponsored by the Jewish Studies Department of San Diego State University.
*
For Ezzie Levin, son of Beth Jacob Congregation president Rand Levin, the recent speech at the Orthodox shul by national radio commentator Michael Medved, brought added treats. As Ezzie reported in Kolenu, the newsletter of Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School that as Medved’s visit to San Diego coincided with Presidents’ Day, school was out of session for the holiday. So he accompanied his father to the KCBQ Radio Studios, put on earphones, and listened as Medved took questions from listeners. A fourth grader, Ezzie said he didn’t understand everything about the world events Medved discussed, “but it was neat to be right there while it was happening.”
*
What makes the following zip codes so special? 92037, 92064, 92111, 92115, 92117, 92119, 92120, 92121, 92122, 92126, 92127, 92128, 92129, 92131, 91941, 91942. All of them are served by the “On The Go” program of Jewish Family Service, which offers special transportation services to seniors.
*
Television news correspondent Cokie Roberts was born Catholic; her husband, Steve Roberts, is Jewish. Together they devised an interfaith Haggadah, which is used at a seder they host annually in Washington. They will tell the story of how their family blends two traditions as part of the Center for Jewish Culture’s Distinguished Speakers Series at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 16, at the Lawrence Family JCC. The couple has been married since 1966.
*
Technion advises us that “doctoral student Mona Abed, an Arab Israeli Christian, is engaged in cancer research. A Fulbright Scholar, she has worked at the world’s top cancer labs, including the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in the U.S. Nir Rikovitch is a senior pursuing his BA in the Technion’s Department of Aerospace Engineering. As an operations officer in the Israel Defense Forces, he specialized in real time liaison and diplomacy with the Egyptian army and the Multinational Force and Observers in the Sinai Peninsula.” Now both along with Technion Prof. Raphael Sacks plan to visit San Diego between March 9 and 11 to spread the word many consider Israel’s equivalent to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Myra Cohen of the American Technion Society, is scheduling appointments for them. Contact: InfoMeServices@aol.com
*
Tifereth Israel Synagogue raised money on Saturday night with a Morrocan-styled fundraiser, in which the Cohen Social Hall was seemingly transformed into a large Saharan tent. Winners of a drawing for a Las Vegas vacation getaway were Bev and Jerry Turchin and of a cash prize good for synagogue membership or other events were Robin and Rob Nosan.
*
Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted at donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com