SAN DIEGO – “It’s the final countdown” … of counting the Omer and the celebration of Shavuot starting Tuesday, June 11! This is a busy week around the area with many celebrations for Shavuot but also the last day of school for those in the San Diego Unified School District. A well-deserved break “from the books” should be celebrated with some cheesecake or cooling off with some ice cream, am I right?
*
Tifereth Israel Synagogue, Congregation Dor Hadash and Ohr Shalom Synagogue “Shavuot Learning Sessions and Cheesecake Festival” will be at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 11 at Tifereth Israel. The night will include candle lighting, Ma’ariv service, three learning opportunities from Rabbi Mathew Marko, Rabbi Scott Meltzer and Rabbi Yael Ridberg, and cheesecake. Click here to rsvp.
*
Chabad of Poway “Celebrate Shavuot” evening service will start at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 11. At 10:30 p.m. join for an all-night of learning with many interesting Torah topics and various speakers. There will be plenty of coffee and refreshments. At 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 12, there will be the reading of the 10 Commandments followed by a dairy buffet. At 4 p.m. will be a special 2nd reading and ice cream social followed by evening services. Click here to rsvp.
*
Chabad of Downtown “Celebrate Shavuot” evening service will start at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 11 followed by a festive dinner. At 11 p.m. join for a late-night of learning. At 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 12 attend Shavuot services and hear the 10 Commandments followed by a dairy buffet luncheon. At 10 a.m., Thursday, June 13 attend Shavuot services and Yizkor Memorial Services followed by a kiddush luncheon. Click here to rsvp.
*
Chabad at La Costa announced that an anonymous donor has graciously stepped forward to underwrite the cost of the community meals on Tuesday and Wednesday night. Click here to rsvp and spaces will be filled on a first come – first served basis. Tuesday night’s meal will begin after services at 9 p.m. and Wednesday night’s meal will begin at 8 p.m. At 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 12, don’t miss the reading of the 10 Commandments and at 12 p.m., Thursday, June 13, don’t miss the Yizkor Memorial Service.
Chabad at La Costa “Shavuot Celebration and Getaway”extends from Tuesday, June 11 to Thursday, June 13 at the Omni La Costa. This event will feature Scholars-In-Residence: Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel and C. Rochel Duchman, learning programs with Rabbi Yossi Eilfort, children’s program, outstanding and plentiful cuisine; ice cream party, world-class davening by Rabbi Dovi Gorelik and concert by Yossi Rodal. Click here for more information or to book.
*
Chabad of East County “Celebrate Shavuot” will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 12. Services begin at 10 a.m., reading of the Ten Commandments at 11 a.m. and a dairy buffet at 12 p.m. Click here to rsvp.
*
Coastal Roots Farm “Great Outdoor Shabbat” will be at 5 p.m., Friday, June 14. The farm welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds for their free festive summer Shabbat series on the farm. Musical entertainment will be provided by Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s own Kol Tefillah group. Bring a picnic dinner and blankets/chairs. Click here to register.
*
San Diego Hebrew Day Preschool celebrated its last full week of school by honoring Shavuot with a visit from the Torah Factory. The children learned the process of turning Kosher animal hides into writeable parchment. Rabbi Aron also discussed which Kosher birds can provide feathers and each child had the opportunity to use a feather and ink to write Hebrew letters on a scroll.
*
JEWISH HUMOR
A little Jewish humor is good for the soul, Rabbi Rafi Andrusier of Chabad of East County shared the following joke, “The Headache”: Sadie goes to see her Rabbi and complains about her bad headaches. She whines, cries, and talks about her poor living conditions for hours. All of a sudden, Sadie shouts, overjoyed, “Rabbi, your holy presence has cured me! My headache is gone!” To which the rabbi replies, “No Sadie, it is not gone. I have it now.”
*
Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor for the San Diego Jewish World.