(Column 24, March 7, 2011)
Compiled by Donald H. Harrison
San Diego Jewish Organizations
Nechama Eilfort, rebbetzin at Chabad at La Costa, knows a thing or two about computers. So, she’s offering four classes, beginning at 7:30 p.m. tonight and continuing the next three Monday evenings, on the baiscs of personal computing, Internet and E-mail usage, Social Network sites like Facebook, Safe Web Surfing, and Jewish Resources on the Web. Classes are $10 per session.
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Tonight, Congregation Beth Israel is hosting at 7:30 p.m. Prof. Sam Edelman, who is president of Scholars for Peace In the Middle East, as well as a highly regarded professor of Holocaust , Genocide , Human Rights and Tolerance Studies at California State University at Chico. Edelman’s appearance is co-sponsored by the Jewish Studies Program of San Diego State University.
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Dan Brodsky, a pro-Israel activist in San Diego, has been sending to friends and associates a video about the work done by the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF). It provides a good look not only at the FIDF programs but also the faces of the Israeli Army:
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Former San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy is scheduled to make a rare post-office public appearance at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 24, when Louis Rose Point (foot of Womble Road at the Boat Channel in the Roseville section of Point Loma) is officially dedicated. Murphy helped clear the way for the naming of the point of land after Rose, who in 1850 became San Diego’s first Jewish settler. Also speaking on the occasion will be City Councilmember Kevin Faulconer, who voted in favor of the honor back in 2004 when he served on the San Diego Parks and Recreation Board . The event is co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of San Diego County and the Louis Rose Society for the Preservation of Jewish History.
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The Jewish Healing Center, operated under the auspices of Jewish Family Service, is sponsoring a workshop in “Jewish Joy and Laughter” from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sunday, April 3. “Joy and laughter can help you manage stress, improve your health, and strengthen your relationships,” according to the Healing Center’s promotional material. The $18-per-person workshop will feature Michael Coleman, a certified laughter yoga teacher; Galit Shefizi, an expressive art therapist; Lee Fowler Schwimmer, a Jewish yoga teacher; Mary Marshall, a drum teacher, and Rabbi Aliza Berk, director of the Jewish Healing Center.
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The Lawrence Family JCC will host two presentations April 22 and 23 in which the Culture Shock Dance Troupe will introduce the public to the various programs of the hip hop dance organization, ranging from its Mini-Shock troupe of dancers under age 5, to its Afta-Shock group, for dancers over the age of 25. “Unless you go to a four- or five-hour dance competition, you won’t see quality hip-hop dance performance live like this,” says Angie Bunch, the troupe’s chief artistic director. Tickets for the program in the David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre of the JCC will cost $20 for the Friday and evening programs and $15 for the Saturday matinee. More information is on the theater’s website, www.tickets.lfjcc.org
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Fourth graders at Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School recently visited “The Star of India” to learn what life might have been alike aboard a 19th century immigrant sailing ship. All in fun, “they were barked at by the captain and threatened corporal punishment with the cat of nine tails by the first mate,” according to Kolenu, the school’s newsletter. “Within minutes the fourth grade was standing respectfully in a straight line. The students spent the remainder of the day learning the rigors, excitements and hardships of a sailor working hard and dreaming os striking gold in the American River!”
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue will host a training session at 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 9 for potential “On the Go” volunteer drivers to transport seniors to vital appointments and to community events. More information and registration at (858) 637-3051.
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Jews in the General Community
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In her newsletter to constituents, San Diego City Councilmember Marti Emerald wrote about her husband Mike Klarfeld, who died on February 23rd. Her comments give wonderful insight not only into him, but into the pressures anyone faces when a family member suffers from a debilitating disease: Emerald wrote of Klarfeld: “He was a wonderful mentor, steadfast partner, loving husband and dedicated father for my daughter Chloe. His life was like many of ours, filled with devotion to God, country and family. His law practice was not his work, it was his inspiration and challenge. He lived life to its fullest and he made the most of everyday. Whether it was the sheer joy he got from telling grand tales or the thrill from flying, riding his motorcycle or sailing, life for him was a great adventure. As I was sworn in as your Councilmember in December 2998 I had no idea of the personal challenges that lay ahead of me and my family. In early 2009, Mike was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. For several months we confronted the realities of this disease which seemed to descend on him like a speeding freight train.
“It was not long after, I assumed the role of primary care giver for this giant of a man who always seemed so invincible to me. I had to stop accepting invitations to many events and occasions that are customary for a Councilperson to attend, especially on nights and weekends. While this kept my personal interaction with you very limited, a dedicated staff in the Council District Seven office and the assistance of daytime caregivers in my home, allowed me to attend to your requests for service, complete my daily duties at City Council and protect basic safety as the Chair of the Public Safety Committee. During this difficult time, I often thought of the hundreds or even thousands of people in my district who are dealing with a similar situation of caring for a sick or dying family member who require 24 hour care while juggling the responsibilities of work and personal life and the overwhelming roller coaster of emotion that takes its toll on you.
“The experience has humbled me like no other in my life. It has embedded on me the realization that our time is limited in this life and that every day we should act with certainty to promote our family and community quality of life. Every act of compassion and concern is valued and needed in our world and our commitment to each other is the thread that holds our fabric as a community together. I will continue my duties as your representative with a new foundation of commitment to you and our city, but let me take this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation to all of you who have offered your words of encouragement and prayers over these last two years. The road for me would have been much longer and more difficult had it not been for your compassion and concern.”
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Israel-born Hagit Limor, a television reporter and anchor in Cincinnati, is currently serving as the national president of the Society of Professional Journalists. She will be a featured speaker at the organization’s regional conference to be held in San Diego April 29-30 at Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn on Shelter Island.
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The Catskills of New York was known affectionately as “the Borscht Belt,” especially during the time when it was the home to hundreds of resort hotels, motels and camping areas, and Jewish comedians got their starts there. Now Marisa Scheinfeld for her master’s of fine arts degree is putting the finishing touches on an exhibit, “Leftover Borscht” documenting in photographs what has happened to this once fabled area. The exhibit will be held on the San Diego State University campus in the Everett Gee Jackson Gallery at the School of Art from April 2 to April 7, with an opening reception from 7 p.m., to 10 p.m., April 2. More information is available from the artist at scheinfeld@mac.com
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted at donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com