SAN DIEGO – Are we in the “dog days of summer?” According to History.com, the phrase has nothing to do with dogs barking or panting in the oppressive heat. It referred to the ancient civilizations that tracked the seasons by looking at the sky.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the ancient Greeks noticed that summer’s most intense heat occurred within a 40-day period following the summer solstice and Sirius (the brightest star in the sky), rose and set with the sun. Sirius adds an additional daytime warmth which was named for “glowing” or “scorcher” in Greek. Sirius is also known as the dog of the hunter Orion which they placed in the constellation Canis Major (Greek for “Greater Dog”).
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, traditionally, the “dog days of summer” in the United States comes between July 3 and August 11. July 3 is just around the corner, so I think it is safe to say it has arrived. Since I am a Mom to an angora rabbit named Freckles, when are the rabbit days of summer?
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Temple Emanu-El “Drum Circle” will meet at 3 p.m., Tuesday, July 2 at the Temple Courtyard. Ira Moskowitz, skilled, trusted leader and active congregant, will guide the drumming session. Bring your own drum or use one that is provided and feel free to bring a friend or relative. Click here for more information. … “Coffee with the Rabbi” will be at 11 a.m., on Wednesdays in July (3, 10, 17, 24, and 30) in the Temple Library or Zoom. Drop in when you can for an informal discussion or current events. No sign up necessary, just come with an interest in Jewish learning.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue’s “July 4th Celebration” begins at 6 p.m., on Thursday, July 4. There will be face painting, cookie decorating, kids axe throwing, bounce house, hamburgers, hot dogs and vegetarian options available. Ner Tamid is situated at a prime viewing spot for the evening’s fireworks. Click here to register by July 1.
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Chabad at La Costa “4th of July Celebration” will be at 6 p.m., Thursday, July 4. This all-you-can-eat BBQ Buffet will include hamburgers, hotdogs, wings (hot and BBQ-style), fries, salads, corn, drinks, and desserts. Click here to register.
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Hadassah San Diego will screen the “Screams Before Silence” documentary at 10 a.m., Sunday, July 21, followed by a discussion. The address will be given with completed registration. This documentary, led by Sheryl Sandberg captures the first-person testimony from survivors of gender-based violence on Oct. 7th, as well as from first responders, eyewitnesses, released hostages, forensic experts, and advocates. Licensed therapist Keri Green will facilitate a post-screening discussion. Click here to register.
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Coastal Roots Farm “Farm Stand” is flourishing with zucchinis, fresh greens, herbs and much more. Farm Stand hours are 12 to 3 p.m., on Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays (closed July 4th). Those in need can receive up to $30 of produce at no cost. Click here to learn more.
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Iron Dome has saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens. Handmade Israeli treasures are created from missiles shot down by the Iron Dome. Proceeds from this project benefit IDF soldiers and Israeli victims of war and terror. Click here to view the entire collection.
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JEWISH HUMOR
Chabad of East County shared the following joke: “Tickets Anyone?” Yitzhak and Freda go out to see Fiddler on the Roof on stage. This is the most sold-out show of the year. Somehow, they’ve been lucky and manage to get best seats in the front row. But they notice that there’s an empty seat in the row behind them. When intermission comes and no one has sat in that seat, Freda turns to the woman sitting next to the empty seat and asks, “Pardon me, but as this is such a sold-out show and in such demand, we were wondering why that seat is empty.” The woman says, “That’s my late husband’s seat.” Freda is horrified and apologizes for being so insensitive. But a few minutes later, she turns around again. “Without meaning to be rude or anything, this is an incredibly hard show to get into. Surely you must have a friend or a relative who would have wanted to come and see the show?” The woman nods, but explains, “They’re all at the shiva.”
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Chabad of Poway shared the following joke: “The Boss” A man entered a pet shop, wanting to buy a parrot. The shop owner pointed out three identical parrots on a perch and said, “The parrot to the left costs $500” “Why does that parrot cost so much?” the man wondered. The owner replied, “Well, it knows how to use a computer.” The man asked about the next parrot on the perch. “That one costs $1,000 because it can do everything the other parrot can do, plus it knows how to use the UNIX operating system.” Naturally, the startled customer asked about the third parrot. “That one costs $2,000.” “And what does that one do?” the man asked. The owner replied, “To be honest, I’ve never seen him do a thing, but the other two call him boss!”
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GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
US Senate Candidate Steve Garvey met with wounded IDF soldiers in Ramat Gan, Israel. The Republican former professional baseball star also reported he met a Burbank, California resident who was a longtime voter for Rep. Adam Schiff. After meeting Garvey in Israel, she pledged her vote to Garvey. His campaign staff said she urged other Jewish Democrats to follow her example.
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OBITUARY NOTICE
Ernest Oscar Abbit passed away on Monday, June 24. Funeral services and graveside interment were at 11 a.m., Thursday, June 27 at El Camino Memorial.
Bobbie Lou Calabro passed away on Thursday, June 27. Funeral services will be in Texas.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.