(Column 23, March 3, 2011)
Compiled by Donald H. Harrison
Jewish Organizations
The Agency for Jewish Education sponsors UCSD Political Science Professor Emeritus Sanford Lakoff lecturing March 14 at 7:00 pm at the library at 1776 Dove Lane in Carlsbad. His lecture is titled, “Turmoil in the Middle East: Democracy and Progress or More Turmoil?” Lakoff will deliver the lecture again on March 16 at 10 a.m. at the Coronado Public Library.
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Dr. Eli Lewis, a Ben Gurion University medical researcher whose specialty is transplantation of insulin-producing cells in diabetic patients, will speak about his work at 7:30 p.m., March 14, at Ohr Shalom Synagogue. His appearance is sponsored by American Associates of Ben Gurion University of the Negev. For more information and RSVP: Rabbi Arnold Kopikis, akopikis@aabgu.org
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The Center for Jewish Culture sponsors a lecture and book signing by Marek Halter, author of The Jewish Odyssey: An Illustrated History, which covers the lasting contributions of Jews in fields such as science, politics, philosophy, and the arts – from Gutenberg to Einstein, Freud to Trotskl and Kafka to Dylan. He will speak at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 29, at the Dove Library, 1776 Dove Lane, Carlsbad.
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Congregation Beth Am promises the following at the Purim celebration from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sunday, March 20, on its grounds: carnival games and rides, petting zoo, pony rides, bounce house, sports, 20 foot slide, euro-bungee jump, music with DJ Noah, a special “preschool-only “ area and even the San Diego Padres Swinging Friar!
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Congregation Beth Israel teams up with Waters of Eden Community Mikvah to cosponsor a presentation for women only by Rabbi Janice Elster on “developing your own personal spiritual practice” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 9, at Congregation Beth Israel.
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Avi Melamed, who used to advise Mayor Teddy Kollek and later Mayor Ehud Olmert about Arab affairs in Jerusalem, is the speaker Thursday evening, March 24, at Congregation Beth El. Nir Ben Zvi, executive director of the local Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, says Melamed is highly respected for his expertise.
Jewish Federation of San Diego County and the Louis Rose Society for the Preservation of Jewish History will lead ceremonies dedicating Louis Rose Point at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 24. Officials from the city, county and school district will attend the ceremony, honoring pioneer Louis Rose, San Diego’s first Jewish settler, for whom Rose Canyon is named and who was the founder of the Roseville section of Point Loma. Louis Rose Point is located at the foot of Womble Road, in the former Naval Training Center, at the Boat Channel. Norman Greene, president of the Louis Rose Society, will emcee.
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Jennifer Levitt, chair of the Jewish Women’s Foundation, has announced that the organization has donated $245,000 in grants to five programs to develop self-esteem and leadership skills in teenage women. Winning programs were: (a) Agency for Jewish Education, Temple Solel, Congregation Beth Israel and Temple Adat Shalom, “Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing!” (b) The Friendship Circle, B’Not (Daughters) Lead On!” (c) Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, Jacobs Family Campus, “Girls’ Life Program” (4) Temple Adat Shalom, Ner Tamid and Chabad of Poway, “JWF Scholars Society: Empowering Girls Through Women’s Stories” and (5) Jewish Family Service, “Girls Give Back”
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San Diego Israel Coalition plans to attend and ask polite but pointed questions at a speech planned on the San Diego State campus by Huwaida Arraf, a Palestinian leader in the “Free Gaza Movement.” Her speech is planned at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 9, in Casa Real of the Aztec Center.
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“Take a Swing for Seacrest” will be the theme of the 20th annual Golf & Tennis Tournament fundraiser in support of Seacrest Village Retirement Community. This year the tournament will be held on May 16 at the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club and the Rancho Santa Fe Tennic Club. James Haimsohn and John Kassar are co-chairs of the event, sponsored by the Guardians of San Diego. Contact Alyssa Law to RSVP or for more information, (760) 632-0081.
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As part of its Sineplex programming, during which multiple activities are scheduled throughout the synagogue complex on Erev Shabbat, Temple Solel sponsors Jewish cooking maven Tina Wasserman in a Shabbat evening salute to gourmet palates, on Friday, April 29th. Here’s the schedule: (1) 6p.m. Shabbat Dinner prepared with recipes from Tina Wasserman’s new cookbook Entrée to Judaism. (This dinner is optional at the cost of $18 per adult, and $9 per child);(2) 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Israeli Wine Tasting with a variety of wines and appetizers. Please note you must be 21 years old or over to participate. (This event is optional at a cost of $12 per adult. 7 p.m.-730 p.m. (3) Challah making for ages 3 to 10 with Tina Wasserman. 7 p.m. -8 p.m. (4) Erev Shabbat Service with the Temple musical band Kol Echad; (5) 7p.m. – 9 p.m. Kids Klub with games for children ages 7 and up; (6) 7 p.m. -9 p.m. Adult Game Night; foosball, air hockey, pool tables and more! (7) 8 p.m. – 9 p.m. Tina Wasserman will speak and share many stories and recipes of the great Diaspora communities. Desserts featured in Tina’s book will be served during her talk.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue sponsors a Purim carnival on its grounds 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday, March 13.. Some of the promised attractions for children promised are “food, jumpies, ga-ga court, games, crafts, face painting, prizes, and much more.” The night before the congregation will host a Purim feast and Purimshpiel production, titled “The Megillah According to Stage and Screen.” Details on the congregation’s website, www.tiferethisrael.com
March being Women’s History Month, we’d like to call to mind some Jewish San Diegans who have contributed to the political history of this area: Sue Braun (former school board member); Susan Davis (member of Congress); Susan Golding (former mayor of San Diego), Lynn Schenk (former congresswoman), and Abbe Wolfsheimer Stutz (former City Councilwoman of San Diego). Anyone have other Jewish women’s names they’d like to add?
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Larry Cohen, executive director of the Prevention Institute, will be keynote speaker Friday, March 18, at the all-day Safe Start San Diego 2011 Conference at the Marina Village Conference Center, 1936 Quivera Way. The free conference will explore ways to “stop the abuse of children and put an end to the cycle of family violence,” acccording to County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price, a strong advocate against domestic violence. “Domestic violence affects people of all socio-economic backgrounds and possibly for generations if not properly addressed early on.”
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Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego) has introduced legislation to honor Vietnam Veterans who died following their service from causes related to the war. “My bill adds to this recognition by presenting the families of these veterans with a medal, to be known as the ‘Jesus (Chuchi) Salgado Medal’ to be issued by the Secretary of Defense,” he said.. “Chuchi Salgado was an outstanding individual who lived in my Congressional district, whose exposure to Agent Orange ultimately led to his death. His relatives continue to live in my district.”
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Choreographer John Malashock will preview sections of his work in progress, “The Floating World,” at Dance Place San Diego, Studio 200, 2650 Truxton Road at the NTC Promenade on Saturday evening, March 26.
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Mimi Pollack, who teaches English as a second language at Grossmont College, has a special guest at her class at noon, Thursday, March 10, in Room 550. He is Bob Gannon, and no matter where an ESL student has come from, chances are Gannon has been there. Over the past 10 years in a Cessna 182 he flew around the world, covering 155 countries.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted at donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com