By Cailin Acosta
SAN DIEGO – Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut are fast approaching.
There will be separate community observances of these two Israeli holidays May 12 and 19 at the Lawrence Family JCC.
In Israel, they have a day for remembrance of those who lost their lives for Israel (Yom HaZikaron) and then the next day a celebration of Israel’s Independence (Yom Ha’atzmaut).
In the Israeli tradition, Tifereth Israel Synagogue will observe both Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut on Monday, May 13. There will be a moment of silence as we solemnly stand to a siren similar to the one sounded in Israel. I unfortunately have not traveled to Israel (yet), but it is on my list of places I need to go. When I stood in silence during past events with my eyes closed, I felt a wave of emotion thinking of those fighting for our homeland.
Now more than ever, this might be a particularly emotional year as we think of the hostages and families who are still without their loved ones. After a moment of silence, and a musical Havdalah, Rabbi/ Cantor Hanan Leberman of Jerusalem will lead the Conservative congregation in an Israeli-style celebration of the 76th year of Israeli Independence (Yom Ha’atzmaut). This part of the event I truly enjoy, dancing with my friends and family, eating Israeli-themed food, and laughing and locking arms as we celebrate our love for our community.
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Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista observes Yom HaShoah at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 8, with an interdenominational gathering of South Bay clergy hosted by Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel. The Conservative shul sent out a message that security will be present for the ceremony at 208 Madrona Street. Holocaust Survivor Ursula Israelsky is a featured speaker.
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What better way to celebrate all the mothers out there (or are no longer with us) than at Chabad at La Costa on May 11 for a community Mother’s Day Kiddush. Donations of $18 will have their mothers honored by name. Click here to sponsor the mother in your life.
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A San Diego Jewish community response to the anti-Israel protests on campuses throughout the nation, including UCSD and SDSU, inadvertently omitted the names of Rabbi Mathew Marko and Tifereth Israel Synagogue as signatories. Heidi Gantwerk, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation, explained in a letter of apology to Rabbi Marko: “It was purely an oversight as we were working at light speed in the face of an increasingly tense situation, but one that I know has caused concern and upset among your congregation. It was our mistake, and I take responsibility. We are working now on ways to be as inclusive as possible for any future such communications.”
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GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego) gave an empowering speech to young women at the “Brave, This is Me” Conference at the Kroc Center on May 4. She stated “I was told, if you wanted there to be more young people and women in Congress, then you will have to do it yourself, so I decided, alright, I guess I will! It took me a while to get up the courage … because I felt someone might have the answer? … But I am here to tell you, that I have been in the room with Presidents, Heads of State, CEOs, and all different kinds of people and I guarantee you, they do not know more than you do and honestly we need your voices in those rooms.”
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Before the June primary election, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) spent many thousand dollars building up Republican Steve Garvey so he wouldn’t have to face Democratic Congresswoman Katie Porter in California’s November runoff election for U.S. Senate. Now, Schiff is tearing Garvey back down. He said Garvey acquired nearly $4 million in liens for unpaid taxes over the last four decades. Garvey, a former infielder for the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers, was quoted in a 2006 story in the Los Angeles Times as saying “Do I expect to pay every debt? Do I want to? Absolutely. The day I’m able to be debt-free is the day I’m going to be the happiest guy around.”
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OBITUARY NOTICES AND MEMORIALS
Joan Jacobs – Died May 6. Click here to read the obituary posted by the San Diego Union-Tribune. Funeral services are pending for Jacobs, who is the wife and co-philanthropist of Irwin Jacobs, the co-founder of Qualcomm. Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego) released a statement on the passing of her grandmother: “After four sons, I was my Grandma Joan’s first girl – and she spent every day making sure I knew I was special and loved. She pushed me and everyone around her to be the best versions of themselves, and I’m forever grateful for that. She showed me that I could be feminine and win an argument, I could be a wife and mother and grandmother and also a leader, and I could chart my own path in life while still remembering and giving back to my community. I am who I am because I am her granddaughter. I will forever cherish the time we spent together and always remember the lessons she taught me that I’ll teach to my own children one day.”
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Carol Miller – Died May 3. Miller will be buried at Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, New York, alongside her parents. A celebration of her life will be held during the summer in both New York and San Diego. Click here to read Am Israel Mortuary’s obituary.
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Dan Schaffer was remembered in a touching piece written by his daughter Sarah Schaffer Cooper, who grew up in San Diego and now is an educator in Los Angeles County. Dan taught history at Santana and West Hills high schools in Santee and was a columnist for the now-defunct San Diego Jewish Times. Sarah’s essay appeared on the Well-Schooled website, described as a site for educator storytelling. Click here to read her story and grab some tissues.
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Jonathan Sherr – Died on May 6. Sherr’s funeral was held May 7 at El Camino Memorial Park with Rabbi Moshe Leider as officiant.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of San Diego Jewish World. Acosta can be reached via cailin.acosta@sdjewishworld.com