SAN DIEGO (SDJW) — The Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra (TICO) celebrates its 50th anniversary this season. The orchestra started at the old Jewish Community Center on 54th Street and changed its name when it moved its home to the social hall of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, 6660 Cowles Mountain Blvd., San Diego.
The next program at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 6, will include Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, which conductor David Amos points out starts with four g’s and an e flat – which in Morse Code stands for “V” for “victory.”
Additionally the orchestra will perform Vivaldi’s Concerto for Four Violins conducted by assistant director Robert Zelickman and conclude with Emek, an Israeli symphonic poem composed by Marc Lavry. A second performance of the concert will be given at 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 4 at the First United Methodist Church of Chula Vista, 1200 East H. Street.
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The House of Israel and the Israel-American Council have teamed up to offer a free online course about Israeli history, the revival of the Hebrew language, the many ethnic groups in Israel, and Israeli food. Here is a link to sign up.
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Coastal Roots Farm will celebrate T’bshevat at the Leichtag Commons, 441 Saxony Road, in Encinitas from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m., Sunday, January 21. “Jewish tradition teaches that everything exists in relationship: we don’t exist in isolation but rather as part of a larger, interconnected whole,” said a spokesperson. “This year’s theme, ‘Together We Grow’ reminds us of the profound power of this connection. Every relationship whether between people and plants, creatures and culture, is greater than the sum of its parts.” Click here to register. Suggestion donation $20 adult, $10 child.
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Is your home cluttered? Women of Beth Israel have scheduled a speech by Kathy Burns, a professional organizer, on how to solve that problem. It is scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 11, at Congregation Beth Israel, 9001 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego. Tickets are $18 and event registration may be accessed via this website.
Attendees may bet a head start on decluttering their homes by donating to G’mach, an organization that helps economically needy Jews, such items as clothing for adults and children, baby supplies, housewares, books, Judaica, and linens and bedding. The items should be dropped off at the Temple’s back door off the main, lower parking lot.
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Cheryl Katz, Torah School and Youth Director at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, says preparing for a bar/ bat mitzvah should start as early as preschool. Among the reasons, “it is less stressful for your child to start younger and build solid skills over time;” and “Parents get Sunday mornings to themselves! While your child is learning, singing and playing, you can grab coffee with other class parents or get a few things done at home.” Katz said with such reasons in mind, her Conservative congregation has created a new program for 4-year-olds called “Gesher Le’Torah,” bridge to Torah, “a gentle on-ramp to becoming a lifelong Torah learner and developing friendships and community ties from a very early age.” Classes are planned once a month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Jan 28, Feb. 25, March 24, April 21, and May 19. Katz may be reached via this email address.
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SDJW staff report