SAN DIEGO— 4th of July is around the corner and all the fun festivities that go with celebrating America’s birthday.
Unfortunately, there is always a downside to celebrating a holiday with people being reckless and not following the laws we have in place to keep people safe. One of those laws is setting off illegal fireworks. I do enjoy seeing them from my backyard. I grew up going to a neighbor’s house who would set off illegal fireworks in the cul-de-sac. He had a pact with the neighbors not to call the police. No one did but after his 30-minute show, sometimes a patrol car would come to investigate. We would not tell since then there would not be a show next year. But it was done safely, with a hose ready to go, and buckets of water. Plus, he wore gloves and was in an open space. I recently learned that he passed away a few weeks ago and so I will remember him this 4th of July as we light our sparklers and poppers in our backyard.
Speaking of fireworks, Gary Weitzman, CEO of the San Diego Humane Society, shared these four tips to prepare for July 4th. It is known as the loudest holiday of the year and the most frightening for our fur babies.
Anyhow, tips to keep our pets safe this holiday:
- Prepare for the worst! The best way to be sure you are quickly reunited with your pet if they go missing is to have your contact information easily accessible and up to date. Make sure your pets are microchipped with a registered chip, their licenses are current, and that their ID tags are securely attached and easy to read.
- Keep your pet safe at home. Parties are overwhelming as is, but adding fireworks can send our pups jumping over fences out of fear rather than joy. Make sure the windows and doors are secure and escape-proof. Pets in a panic often behave in ways we can’t anticipate!
- Create calm. Make your home a relaxing oasis for your pets. Set up a safe space in a quiet room, crate or pen with cozy blankets, their favorite toy and a yummy, long-lasting chew. Play soft music and wrap them in a ThunderShirt sprayed with calming spray like Adaptil or Feliway. Provide calming treats, or if your pet experiences high levels of stress and fear, speak with your veterinarian as soon as possible about prescribing medication that can help.
- Train for confidence gains! Help your pets learn additional coping mechanisms for their fear through training such as our Shy Dog and Shy Cat classes. These classes are perfect for pets experiencing general or situational fear or stress. Both classes start this month and you’ll learn online from home — where your pet feels safest! Click here to inquire about the classes.
Freckles, my angora rabbit will be doing her usual bunny stuff on the 4th. She will enjoy some strawberries and blueberries for a red and blue treat. I might see if she likes coconut for the white.
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JFEST Presents: Refuah – Music and Performances of Healing will be at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 25 at the Lawrence Family JCC. This community wide musical concert captures the many aspects of refuah (healing). Prepare to be moved by beloved community favorites Heidi Gantwerk, LITVAK Dance Company, Yale Strom, Elizabeth Schwartz and more. Click here for tickets.
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Chabad at La Costa shared a new mitzvah opportunity with Bikur Cholim of San Diego. Many patients are coming from Israel to UCSD La Jolla to receive transplants. Bikur Cholim of San Diego is a community organization helping the sick with care packages, visitation, driving spouses to and from the hospital, etc. If you are able to give a few hours of your time, it will make another person’s day much better. Click here, to get involved.
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Chabad of East County Jewish Community Calendar 5785 – 2024/25 campaign is accepting submissions to advertise your business, yahrzeits, birthdays and Bar Mitzvahs. Click here for more information.
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Rabbi Rafi Andrusier of Chabad of East County shared the following joke: “Flying High” Marvin and Janine, an elderly Jewish couple, are sitting together on an airplane flying to the Far East. Suddenly, over the public address system, the Captain announces, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I am afraid I have some very bad news. Our engines have ceased functioning, and this plane will be going down in a few minutes time. The good news is that I can see an island below us that should be able to accommodate our landing. The bad news is that this island appears to be uncharted – I am unable to find it on our maps. So, the odds are that we will never be rescued and will have to live on the island for a very long time, if not for the rest of our lives.” Marvin turns to Janine and asks, “Janine, dear, did we turn off the oven?” and Janine replies, “Of course.” “Janine, are our life insurance policies paid up?” “Of course.” “Janine, did we pay our pledge for the Kol Nidre appeal?” “Oh my God, I forgot to send off the cheque.” “Thank Heaven! They’ll find us for sure!!”
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Sisterhood had its installation at 10 a.m., Sunday, June 23 at Bivouac Ciderworks Adventure Lodge. The installing officer for the program was Gina Seeman, the Pacific Southwest Region President of the Women’s League of Conservative Judaism. Among those installed were the Sisterhood’s Executive Committee members: President: Judy Shear, Executive Vice President: Charlotte Freifeld, Vice Presidents of Membership: Nili Mathews and Michele Nowicki, Vice President of Programs: Olga Worm, Financial Secretary: Rochelle Rubinstein. I was honored with the dual offices of Corresponding Secretary and Recording Secretary.
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GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer (District 3) along with chairwoman Nora Vargas invite the community to join them for a vibrant celebration to kick off San Diego Pride. The event will be at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 25 at the County Administrative Center. The event will feature the raising of the Progress Flag, awards honoring LGBTQIA+ leaders, and remarks from Chairwoman Nora Vargas, Vice Chair Lawson-Remer, and representatives from the LGBTQIA County of San Diego Employee Resource Group. The celebration will culminate with the lighting of the County Administration Center building. … Lawson-Remer along with Mayor Paloma Aguirre of Imperial Beach and the task force they lead announced they will be collecting more data on the health effects of the Tijuana River and the sewage crisis.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Rhoda Slifka of San Diego passed away on Wednesday, June 5., Am Israel Mortuary reported. No funeral services were announced.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.