SAN DIEGO – During the lull of summer and in between holidays/school breaks, adult education is something I look forward to. Below I have listed some events around the county that might spark an interest. Guest-speaker engagements that include a nosh helps to boost attendance. It is also fun to run into someone you know or make new friends.
As I tell many people, you are never too old to learn something new, whether it be a new art medium or listening to a discussion about someone’s life experiences. We all have many different traits which make learning from different people very satisfying.
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Hadassah San Diego’s Miriam Group will present a discussion by Mimi Novum: “The Encounter of Two Worlds: Her Story” will be presented at 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 15. Novum will discuss the migration of Europeans to the New World in the 15th Century, and the creation of New Spain, which later became Mexico. She will share stories of her family’s arrival in New Spain and talk to us about the Sephardic Jewish Community in Mexico. Click here to rsvp and to receive the address.
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Congregation Beth Israel’s discussion series “Making Sense of Israel” will be Zoomed at 10 a.m., Tuesdays, July 16, 23 and 30.. In this three-part program, Clive Lawton, CEO of the Commonwealth Jewish Council, will explore the origins and boundaries of Israel, its history with Zionism, and its evolving conflicts. Click here to register.
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Congregation Beth Israel’s Men’s Club Dinner Forum presents a discussion by Dr. Roger Ritvo “The White Buses – How Potato Salad Helped Rescue 15,345 Prisoners from the Nazi Concentration Camps” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 17 at the Feuerstein Family Activity Center and also on Zoom. Dr. Ritvo is a Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus at Auburn University Montgomery. He will discuss the complicated humanitarian rescue of 15,345 Nazi Concentration Camp prisoners in the last weeks of World War II. Click here to register for the dinner and click here for the Zoom registration.
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Coastal Roots Farm will screen the film Women’s Work: The Untold Story of America’s Female Farmers at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, July 18. The event features local organizations and musicians. Bring your own blankets, chairs, food, and drink. Click here to register.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue presents “Music: A Language of Compassion and Faith” at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, July 18. Cantor Hanan Leberman will explore pieces from musical theatre and opera that may help us become better human beings and better Jews. Refreshments will be available following the program. Click here to register.
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JCompany will screen the film, Understanding Lewis at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 18. This film utilizes the classic archetypes from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland to tell a new story about the end of seemingly irrevocable loneliness. Click here for tickets.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Men’s Club presents guest speaker Jose Galicot at 5 p.m., Sunday, July 21. Galicot is a well-known businessman, entrepreneur, educator, and philanthropist active on both sides of the Tijuana-San Diego border. The menu will feature fish tacos with a vegan option and beer and wine. Click here to register.
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Lawrence Family JCC will offer “Introduction to Judaism” from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., starting Monday, July 22 until Monday, November 25 on Zoom. This 18-week series is for people eager to enrich their Jewish knowledge and spirituality. This class is open to all; those who already identify as Jewish, those who are looking to convert, or those who want to learn about Jewish history, faith, and practice. Click here to register.
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On a side note, I attended the “Miller Introduction to Judaism” with Rabbi Matthew Marko at Tifereth Israel Synagogue a year ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Many friends asked me why I was attending as I am already Jewish. I attended to learn something new or to refresh my memory of history and practices. I do think “Mom Brain” is a real condition, so I was thankful to get a refresher and look forward to attending another course as time goes on.
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San Diego Center for Jewish Culture has scheduled a preview of its 2024-2025 Season at 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 31 at the Lawrence Family JCC. A lineup of talent, films, and community events will begin in August. Click here to register.
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Hillel International announced that registration for Birthright Israel trips during Winter 2024 is now open. Students are invited to apply for a free 10-day trip to experience Israel. Click here to apply.
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Congregation Beth Israel’s Women of Beth Israel announced a “Honey from the Heart” fundraiser. Proceeds from the online sale support camperships, scholarships, B’nai Mitzvah gifts, Caring Community, programming efforts, and tzedakah. Click here to order.
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Temple Emanu-El is now accepting enrollment in its “Introduction to Judaism” 19-week session course beginning at 2 p.m., on Sunday, Sept. 22. The congregation describes Introduction to Judaism as “an engaging multi-session course for anyone interested in exploring Jewish life through a Reform lens. Open to all, this course is perfect for interfaith couples, those raising Jewish children, spiritual seekers, individuals considering conversion, and Jews who want a meaningful adult Jewish learning experience.” Click here to register.
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GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS:
San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer (District 3) seeks litigation to hold social media platforms accountable and wants to support the U.S. Attorney General’s warning labels for social media. Mental health experts warn habitual social media use is nearing addiction levels and contributing to the youth mental health crisis. “Kids are being harmed by social media. It is affecting their mental and emotional well-being,” she said. “These platforms have knowingly developed addictive algorithms akin to the opioids manufactured by pharmaceutical companies. I want our County to legally intervene and throw our support behind the U.S. Surgeon General’s recommendations.”
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OBITUARY NOTICE
Marcia Berger passed away on Wednesday, July 10, Tifereth Israel Synagogue reported. The family will mourn privately.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.