Items in today’s column include:
*Zandra Rhodes’ costumes to grace San Diego Opera’s ‘Aida’
*Fundraising
*Political Bytes
*Social Action
Zandra Rhodes’ costumes to grace San Diego Opera’s ‘Aida’
SAN DIEGO – Fashion designer Zandra Rhodes is the designer of the costumes for San Diego Opera’s upcoming production of Verdi’s Aida, a love story set at the time of the victory of the ancient Egyptians over the Ethiopians.
Rhodes, who divides her time between homes in San Diego and London, has had an A-list of clients over the last 50 years including Princess Diana, singer Freddy Mercury, actress Hellen Mirren and super-model Naomi Campbell.
Previously, Rhodes designed the costumes for the San Diego Opera’s production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers.
Regarding Rhodes’ work on Aida, a spokesperson for the opera said “the costumes celebrate her signature bold, colorful flair and add considerable depth and interest to this year’s premiere production.”
Some insight for the costumes may have been gained by Rhodes from her longtime domestic partnership with Salah Hassanein, an Egyptian who served as president of Warner Brothers.
*
Fundraising
Torah High School begins at noon on Sunday, Oct. 6, a 28-hour fundraising effort to raise $400,000. Annonymous donors have agreed to match every dollar raised on the school’s website with a $3 contribution. Torah High School, which is housed on the campus of Congregation Beth Israel, is a school attended mainly by Orthodox teenage girls. … Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort of Chabad of La Costa has announced on his Facebook page a birthday fundraiser in support of his congregation. …
*
Political Bytes
San Diego City Councilwoman Georgette Gomez has received the endorsement of her council colleague Monica Montgomery in the race for the 53rd Congressional District from which Susan Davis is retiring. Meanwhile Sara Jacobs, who came in third in the election in 2018 in the 49th CD now represented by Democrat Mike Levin, won the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, D-Orange County, to be her 53rd C.D. colleague in the House of Representatives. … With Barbara Bry running for mayor, the race is on to succeed her in the 1st District City Council District. Candidate Joe LaCava has picked up the endorsement of Bry’s predecessor in that seat, former City Councilwoman Sherri Lightner. Other announced candidates are Aaron Brennan, Will Moore, and Louis Rodolico.
Social Action
Like many other synagogues at this time of year, Tifereth Israel Synagogue is engaged in the collection of food, toiletries, and toy donations for impoverished families. Any time through October 10th, congregants and friends are encouraged to bring to the synagogue at 6660 Cowles Mountain Boulevard five pounds of non-perishable food items for distribution through the Hand Up Pantry of Jewish Family Service. Suggested items include canned tuna, canned soups, peanut butter, boxed stuffing, canned vegetables, rice, pasta, oatmeal, dried beans, and Mac ’n Cheese. Through Oct 16th, the Conservative synagogue is also collecting donations for Handbags of Hope Across America, an organization that helps women escaping domestic violence, sexual trafficking, poverty, and life challenges. Working with the San Diego Police Department, the organization requests donations of handbags (new or used) filled with such unused products as shampoo, conditioner, baby wipes, lotion, body wash, cologne, gift cards, Q-tips, cotton balls, oral care, combs and brushes, socks, and small journals, among other items. For children, the following products are recommended: small games, small coloring books, crayons and markers, small books, comics and writing pads.
*
Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com
Pingback: Our Shtetl San Diego County: October 5, 2019 – San Diego Jewish World