Other items in today’s column include:
*Political bytes
*Ethnic Studies battle, but not the war, won by those seeking broader definition
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SAN DIEGO — Unlike many organizations that settle for “gala” banquet dinners with speakers, Seacrest Village Retirement Communities in Encinitas has tended to favor outdoor fundraising activities such as golf, tennis, and pickleball along with a spa day for donors. This year, however, Covid-19 was too great a handicap for golf, and it aced out the tennis tournament. However, planners for Seacrest Village, which is the upscale successor of the San Diego Hebrew Home for the Aged, were not deterred. They came up with five methods by which donors could nevertheless help the home raise money to defray the costs for seniors who are financially at risk.
“Although we can’t be together, we can still ‘be there’ for the residents of Seacrest Village Retirement Communities who have nowhere else to turn for help,” commented Robert Haimsohn, president of the Seacrest Foundation, in alerting donors to a menu of alternative fundraising opportunities.
The alternative “Take a Swing for Seniors” fundraising effort offered five ways donors could help current and prospective residents of Seacrest, and perhaps have some fun while doing it. They could:
–Contribute funds for a sponsorship and be recognized on Seacrest’s event website.
–Golf with friends, while keeping their “social distance” at the Del Mar Country Club.
–Participate in an online auction, in which they might “score something awesome.”
–Enter a raffle to win an elliptical or $1,000 in cash, their choice.
–Attend a “Zoom Cocktail Reception,” described as a “short but lively online reception.”
According to a news release from the Seacrest Foundation, approximately 50 dedicated supporters attended the Zoom cocktail reception with several speakers sharing their personal stories about why they support the Foundation. Some of them “spoke of grandparents and parents who had been or still are being provided the most loving, compassionate care by the staff at Seacrest who go beyond their expectations,” the news release said.
Among the speakers was Todd Kirschen, who said that his 92-year-old grandmother loves living at Seacrest. “I would do anything for my Nana, just as I am sure you would do for yours,” he said. “Now what about all those Nanas and Grandpas who do not have family to help them when they need it? Well, that’s where we come in.”
Devin Chodorow, president of the Seacrest Village-affiliated Guardians of San Diego and event chair, commented “Requests from Seacrest Village for charitable care exceed nearly $2.5 million annually, and thanks to all of the participants in our semi-virtual event, we raised over $160,000 to help Seacrest village support this need, as well as providing support for the Covid-19 emergency fund.”
Grand prize winner at the raffle was Debby Parrish, who chose the Elliptical in preference to the $1,000 cash. Other winners included Mitch Surowitz, Andrew Kaplan, and Helene McKay.
Rounds of golf at the Del Mar Country club through May 31, 2021 may be purchased via this website or by calling Anna Johnston, the Seacrest Foundation’s events manager at (760) 516-2015.
Auction items include golf rounds at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Del Mar Country Club, and the Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles; wine from the private cellar of chef Jeffrey Strauss; vacations, with far-off expiration dates, to Caribbean resorts; and gift certificates for dine-in or take-out options at Catania and Juniper & Ivy restaurants.
Committee members for the event included Earl Altshuler, Marty Ehrlich, Mary Epsten, Bob Haimsohn, Todd Kirschen, and Jon Schwartz. Top sponsors included Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.; BYCOR General Contractors: City National Bank; Hughes Marino; Sid’s Carpet Barn; and Waxie Sanitary Supply.
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Political bytes
*Josie Caballero, a Progressive-wing Democrat who opposed runoff candidates Sara Jacobs and Georgette Gomez in the 53rd CD primary election, has endorsed Jacobs, saying Jacobs has been more consistent than Gomez in expressing Progressive viewpoints, it was reported by Times of San Diego.
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Ethnic Studies battle, but not the war, won by those seeking broader definition
The trustees of the California State University on Wednesday voted to back Chancellor Timothy White’s proposal to broaden the possible courses students can take on any of the campuses to fulfill a new requirement that they complete at least one course in “ethnic studies” prior to their graduations. White’s proposal was presented as an alternative to a bill (AB 1460) by Assemblywoman Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), which would have required an ethnic studies course be taken about any one of the following four groups of people: African-Americans, Asian Americans, Indigenous Peoples, and Latinx. Weber’s bill was awaiting signature or veto by Gov. Gavin Newsom while the trustees voted.
In White’s version, students could take any of the four aforementioned courses, or could take courses about other groups that suffers discrimination including, but not limited to Women, LGBTQ+, Jews and Muslims. Or, they could take a course in “Social Justice” as an alternative means to fulfill the requirement.
The discussion covered not only the issue of diversifying “ethnic studies” versus restricting that subject to the four original groups; it also dealt with opposition expressed by faculty and administrators within the California State University system to having the Legislature dictate what courses shall be taught. Some considered this to be an abridgment of academic freedom.
San Diego State University and Cal State San Marcos are two of the institutions directly impacted by the outcome of this controversy.
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Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com