SAN DIEGO – Six gallons of O negative is what I have given the San Diego Blood Bank, sometimes via the mobile trailer that visits Tifereth Israel Synagogue. I also donated with the American Red Cross when I lived in Dallas, so that is more than six gallons, but who is counting? My Dad (of blessed memory) was a 20-gallon donor and remember him coming home from work every eight weeks with a bandage on his arm.
When I come home with my bandage on my arm, my twins get squeamish but as they are getting older, I tell them I am saving lives and they better be nice to me for one day they might need my blood. I get very exhausted and need to rest after I donate and even up to two days later.
But I know I am engaging in Tikkun Olam (healing the world) and one pint of my blood can save up to three lives. Over the years, I have received emails of where my blood was sent and sometimes what it was used for. I find that so fascinating and so rewarding that something I just make naturally I can give to someone to keep them alive. I call it my “superpower” or “super serum.”
So, with that, the bombardment of calls as my eligibility date is coming up; I am scheduled to drain (donate) this Friday. Fingers crossed my iron levels and hydration pass and remember, be nice to me, I might be the person who saves your life.
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The American Jewish Committee (AJC) ended its month-long celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month in May. Mini San Diego Jewish history lessons were written in collaboration with local Jewish historian Joellyn Zollman, Ph.D.
Additionally, through advocacy, the cities of Carlsbad, Escondido, Encinitas, La Mesa and Santee all passed proclamations declaring May as Jewish American Heritage Month.
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The Jewish Federation of San Diego is asking individuals interested in welcoming a group of young adults (ages 25-30) from Sha’ar HaNegev (San Diego’s sister region in Israel) to San Diego to join its Host Committee. As part of the Host Committee, you will have the chance to participate in various activities throughout the week, including: a warm and welcoming Shabbat dinner, engaging weeknight dinners, fun and invigorating San Diego activities and much more! Click here to register to join the Host Committee.
If you are a Jewish young adult interested in joining during this special week, click here by Friday, June 14 so they can include you in the planning.
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Chabad at La Costa Rosh Chodesh Women’s Circle will meet at North County Coastal address to discuss “The Feminine Face of Sinai” at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 6. Click here to rsvp and to receive the complete address. The congregation also invites you to Shavuot Services on Wednesday, June 12 and at 11 a.m., Thursday, June 13 at which the reading of the Ten Commandments will be followed by an ice cream party. Click here to make your reservation for the Shavuot dinner on Tuesday, June 11 and Wednesday, June 12.
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The Coastal Chabad communities of Carlsbad and Encinitas are planning a Young Families Focus Group meeting. The agenda includes Hebrew School, Kids Club, Mom and Tot Programming, Preschool and Moms Night Out. Click here for date and time.
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Young Israel of San Diego welcomes Scholar-in-Residence: Rabbi Shalom Hammer during Shavuot services, Tuesday, June 11-Thursday, June 13. Click here to register. Hammer serves as a senior lecturer for the Jewish Identity Branch of the Israel Defense Forces.
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Chabad of Downtown invites you join its members for Shavuot Services at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 11 followed by a festive dinner and also at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 12 to hear the Ten Commandments followed by a dairy buffet. Click here to make your reservations.
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Congregation Beth Israel Men’s Club Dinner Forum: Theatre as Nourishment for Life will feature guest speaker David Ellenstein at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 19. Ellenstein is the artistic director of the North Coast Repertory Theatre since 2003 with 160 productions to his credit. Click here to register for the deli dinner which will be begin at 6:30 p.m. Click here to register for the Zoom link which is complimentary.
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GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Representative Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) introduced bicameral legislation to hold student loan servicers accountable for negligence and wrongdoing. The “Student Loan Servicers Accountability Act” would examine student loan servicers’ role in hurting borrowers’ credit ratings and ensure additional strict performance standards.
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said: “Student loan servicing companies make major profits on the backs of student borrowers, often without providing them nearly enough assistance in navigating the complex student loan system.” Weingarten thanked Jacobs and Wyden for introducing this bill and urges its swift passage.
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San Diego Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer (District-3) joined her colleagues on the County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, June 5 to pursue a $20 million federal grant to clean up and enhance the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park. Supervisors agreed to partner with the YMCA of San Diego County to seek an Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Marlene Katzman passed on Monday, June 3. The funeral was held on Wednesday, June 5 at El Camino Memorial Park with Rabbi Ron Shulman of Congregation Beth El as officiant.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor for the San Diego Jewish World.
She’s my mom!!!!!!!