By Cailin Acosta
SAN DIEGO – Something I love to do each month is honor my friends celebrating a birthday with a handmade card. Once a month, a group of us meet for lunch and I bring cards for those celebrating in our group. They get passed around and signed by everyone in attendance. It might not be much but I feel if I am making something for you, then you are someone special in my life and deserve to be honored for another year I get to spend with you.
AJC’s (American Jewish Committee’s) survey of San Diego Jewish history during Jewish American Heritage Month features San Diego native Rose Schindler. One of the first times I met Schindler, she asked about my family and then asked when my birthday was. I told her it was December 27. She gave me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek and said, “Mine is December 28, you are my birthday twin!” For many years before she passed, I sent her handmade birthday cards or if I knew I would see her I would hand her one. She would ask me my name since she would forget but she would always call me her birthday twin. Click here to read her story.
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JEWISH ORGANIZATIONAL NEWS
During the Yom Ha’atzmaut event at the JCC on May 19, the Jewish Teen Foundation will culminate its work by awarding grants on state to Israeli and local nonprofits. Visit the JTF booth to congratulate the teens on their incredible fundraising efforts, hard work, and thoughtful selection of grantees. Click here to make your reservation for this free event.
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If this year has taught us anything, it’s that we must plan for the unexpected. Hillel of San Diego has been challenged to raise $50,000 to ensure all Jewish students in San Diego have a safe and welcoming environment through Hillel. Every dollar that is raised from our generous community will be matched one-for-one. Click here to help keep students safe.
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Keren-Dee Hamui, the new executive director of The Butterfly Project wrote in an introductory fundraising appeal that “I do not take lightly the seriousness of this moment as we witness the relentless incidents of antisemitism, Holocaust denial, and hate-fueled bullying against other marginalized groups in our communities. We must take action now. Click here to donate.
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Nierman Preschool at the Lawrence Family JCC is holding open enrollment for children ages 18 months to 5 years. Click here to schedule a tour.
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CONGREGATIONAL NEWS
Beth Israel’s annual fundraiser on June 8 will feature actor and comedian Jason Alexander, known for his role as George Constanza on Seinfeld. Alexander will be performing his one-man show, “As Long As You’re Asking – A Conversation with Jason Alexander.” It will be an evening of comedy, music, and conversation. Click here to make your reservation.
Rabbi Devorah Marcus of Temple Emanu-El, on the progress of her child, wrote in a Temple bulletin: “As Rafael is in his 4th week of life, I am filled with worry and woe. As he masters drinking from a bottle and I watch him get better at it every day, knowing each bottle down means we’re one step closer to leaving the wonderful and amazing NICU that I cannot wait to get released from, I am counting, and patiently waiting and watching in our own Omer, not just of days, but of bottles, and milliliters, and breaths and swallows, and pulse oxygenation. And I am so unspeakably grateful for every minute of it on this, the 16th day of the Omer when we contemplate might within beauty.” … Another milestone within that congregational family, Rabbi Emeritus Martin S. Lawson will celebrate 50 years in the rabbinate at Shabbat services on Friday evening, May 10.
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Rabbi Mathew Marko of Tifereth Israel Synagogue was asked to teach Hebrew Scripture in Dr. Elisabeth Burke’s Scriptures class at Grossmont Community College. Rabbi Marko took a Torah with him to share with the students.
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GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
San Diego City Councilwoman Dr. Jen Campbell has endorsed Chief Deputy City Attorney Heather Ferbert in November’s election for City Attorney against Assemblyman Brian Maienschein. Campbell stated: “Heather Ferbert’s commitment to the law and her extensive experience in the City Attorney’s office makes her the clear choice for San Diego’s next City Attorney.”
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) endorses fellow Democrat Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) in the U.S. Senate race against Republican Steve Garvey. Schiff said about his former primary election opponent: “Congresswoman Barbara Lee is one of our nation’s most powerful advocates for social justice and a tireless fighter to combat economic injustice, champion health care for all, and protect civil rights.” Garvey responded that Lee’s agenda is “a permanent ceasefire with Hamas, out-of-control crime, $50 minimum wage, and a failed track record with the Latino community.”
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of San Diego Jewish World. Acosta can be reached via cailin.acosta@sdjewishworld.com