(Column 27 . March 17, 2011)
Compiled by Donald H. Harrison
Upcoming Events
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Why wait for a Purim party to have fun, when you can have a Shabbat dinner the night before? Rabbi Chalom Boudjnah of The Chabad at San Diego State University is hosting at 6115 Montezuma Rd. from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday, March 18.
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A Purimshpiel at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, open to the public, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 19 will feature show tunes. A preview from the synagogue’s website: “You can be sure that It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood whether we’re Singin’ In The Rain or if you’re enjoying the Summer Nights. Our Purimshpiel cast and crew will make you want to Whistle a Happy Tune to the sounds of Alexander’s Ragtime Band. So Be Our Guest at this annual evening That’s Entertainment for the young and young-at-heart. Remember, Tomorrow this show will be just a Memory. To add to the fun and merriment we encourage everyone to come in costume! Come back to see pictures from behind the scenes as our cast and crew get ready for the show!”
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A mariachi band and Mexican cuisine will contribute to an unusual Purim celebration at Chabad of La Costa 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 20. RSVP at 760-943-8891 for the dinner affair, which costs $18 for adults, $10 for children.
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San Diego Center for Jewish Culture plans to have staged readings of five short and amusing plays at 7 p.m., Monday, March 28, in the Astor Judaica Library of the Lawrence Family JCC. The plays and playwrights: Pass the Horseradish by Susan Shafer; Can You Ever Forgive Arthur Kleinman by Bruce Bloom; Are You Jewish by Bruce Bloom; Hijab by Monica Raymond, and Pesach in Paramus by Susan Shafer. Tickets are $5.
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The Gussie K. Singer Chapter for City of Hope will hold its annual Mother’s Day luncheon on May 5th at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel. The Gussie K. Singer chapter established in 1921 is the oldest existing chapter within the history of City of Hope and continues to provide much needed funds for the Jewish-founded medical center’s important research and treatment programs. According to an announcement, “This year the chapter will be honoring Pam Cotta with the Mother of the Year award. Pam is married to Jeff Cotta and the mother of four handsome sons. Pam’s third son, Marshall was treated at City of Hope in 1998 for a rare form of brain cancer. Armed with a team of specialist from City of Hope, Marshall Cotta was successfully treated with state of the art technology and advanced research developed at City of Hope. The ultimate goal was to not just beat the cancer, but to create a treatment plan that would result in Marshall leading a normal, healthy life. Marshall not only met this goal but exceeded it as he is a happy and healthy 13 year old who enjoys school and excels at many sports. Ecstatic and grateful, the Cottas have themselves become ardent City of Hope supporters. “
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The Jewish Community Foundation plans for high school students July 25-29 an intensive program entitled Philanthropy Leadership in Training. The cost will be $270 for the program, which is cosponsored by the Lawrence Family JCC. For information contact Amy Scher at 858 279 2740.
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IN MEMORIAM
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The brutal slaying of members of the Fogel family in Itamar, Israel, was the subject of a news interview in San Diego with Shoshi Bogoch, the Israeli shlicha at the Jewish Federation of San Diego. One of the victims was a friend of her brother’s. Here is a link to the news report. http://www.youtube.com/user/SDIsraelCoalition/
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Two members of long-time, historic San Diego families have recently died. They were Richard C. Levi, grandson of pioneer settler Adolph Levi, and Sandford Ratner, son of Anne Ratner and the late Abe Ratner of Ratner Clothing.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World