SAN DIEGO – Although it issued no news release to announce it, Seacrest Village Retirement Communities has sold its 56-unit Rancho Bernardo campus at 12730 Monte Vista Road to Pacifica, which will maintain it as an independent living community.
Michael Mather, Seacrest Village’s director of community relations, says residents of the facility have been able to transfer to the main campus in Encinitas, if they so desired.
Pam Ferris, the president and CEO of Seacrest Village, elaborated: “As soon as we knew we were putting the building on the market, we met with residents, families and staff to advise them of what we were doing and why. We assured them we would continue to keep them abreast of all steps going forward, and also assured residents that they would have priority access to our Encinitas campus, and for a limited time then and after the sale would pay for their moving expenses, which we have done for numerous people to date.
“Soon after those meetings occurred, a letter was then emailed by me to over 135 people in our Jewish community announcing we were selling Rancho Bernardo. Amazingly and much to our surprise, not one person contacted me to ask questions. It is for this reason we felt a news release after the building sold was not necessary.” [This story was updated on October 25th]
*
Chanukah Time Travel
San Diegan Marcia Berneger tells the story of the first Chanukah through the device of time travel in her book for seven-to-ten year olds titled A Dreidel in Time: A New Spin on an Old Tale.” The retired elementary school teacher and author says while there are many Chanukah books to be read to younger children, “for children ready for chapter books, the Chanukah supply is quite limited and A Dreidel in Time fills that gap.”
Jews by Choice
*Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista commented in a note to his congregation, “I feel especially proud of welcoming a new cadre of ‘Jews by choice’ to our community. As a child of a Holocaust survivor, bringing more Jews into the fold is my way of watching our people grow and expand.”
Political bytes
*San Diego City Council President Georgette Gomez, running for the 53rd Congressional District seat of retiring Congresswoman Susan Davis, tells her supporters “It’s very likely we will be heavily outspent in this race. Georgette won’t take a dime from corporate PACs. That means we’re depending on you instead.” She is opposed in the March 3 primary by Qualcomm million-heiress Sara Jacobs, currently a scholar in residence at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice.
* San Diego Mayoral candidate Barbara Bry has released a video contrasting her opponent Assemblyman Todd Gloria’s position on placing major ballot issues on the November ballot (when more voters turn out) rather than on a primary ballot. Initially he was for November, but now “he flip-flopped under political pressure,” according to Bry. While she supports increasing the hotel occupancy tax to pay for an expansion of the convention center and other projects, she believes the vote should be held in November so more voters can have their say.
*Former Escondido Mayor Jerry Harmon is hosting a fundraiser at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 27 in Oceanside for Olga Diaz, a candidate in the 3rd supervisorial district represented by incumbent Kristin Gaspar. The address is 1796 Troy Lane.
*
Coming our way
* Tifereth Israel Synagogue will conduct a ceremony for the blessing of animals at 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, at the synagogue at 6660 Cowles Mountain Blvd. All animals must either be leashed or in a carrier. Speakers will include Erin Riley-Carrasco, founder of ALMA (Animal Lives Matter Always) Rescue; Tim Mapes, owner of A Slbbrn’ Pet Bakery & Gifts, and Lili Feingold, a Torah school teacher, who will discuss Tzaar Baalei Chaim, the suffering of living creatures.
* Carol Yellen, Jewish Family Service’s director of strategic partnerships, will be guest speaker at a special Shabbat dinner, Nov. 1, at Temple Emanu-El. Reservations may be made via this website.
*Beth Israel Men’s Club, congregation members, families, and friends plan a group tour of the Birch Aquarium at 10 a.m., Nov. 3, followed by lunch at the onsite Splash Café. Reservations may be made via this website.
*Chabad Hebrew Academy sponsors a panel of helping your preschooler succeed in kindergarten at 7 pm. Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the Lawrence Family JCC, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. Panelists are Deborah Pontillo, PhD, a child psychologist who is the founder of San Diego Kids First; Danielle Shulman, a pediatric therapist at WriteSteps Pediatric Occupational Therapy, and Janet Kaplan, Chabad Hebrew Academy curriculum coordinator. RSVP here.
*The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute at Chabad of University City is offering a six-week course for a $99 fee on successive Mondays Nov. 11 through Dec. 16, with a choice of meeting time at 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at 3813 Governor Drive. Topics taught include achieving authenticity, embracing flaws, rethinking regret, peering through pain, living joyfully, and refreshing relationships, according to Rabbi Yechiel Cagen. Signup via this website.
*
In Memoriam
* Tifereth Israel Synagogue announced the death of Bernard Hamermesh, father of Judith Springer. The funeral and shiva will be observed in Los Angeles.
*
Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com. Obituaries in this column are sponsored by Inland Industries Group LP in memory of long-time San Diego Jewish community leader Marie (Mrs. Gabriel) Berg.