SAN DIEGO – Monday (August 19) is the minor Jewish holiday of Tu B’Av. This holiday is on the 15th day of the month of Av and known as the Jewish Day of Love. It is compared to Valentines Day in the United States.
In ancient times, daughters of Israel/Jerusalem would dress in white and dance in the vineyards in hopes of finding a husband. Tribes of Israel were permitted to mingle with each other or marry from other tribes. According to myjewishlearning.com The night of the 14th of Av is a full moon in the lunar calendar which links the night with romance, love and fertility.
Tu B’Av is not a legal holiday in Israel but a regular workday, as is Valentines Day in the United States. Areas in Israel have festivals in vineyards with dancing, drinking wine and dressing in white. It is not necessarily seen as a match making holiday but embracing love for everyone.
So, with that, spread love and joy tomorrow. My kids will wake up to a little surprise. A little treat to remind them that I love them, plus kisses as they walk out the door for another exciting week of middle school.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Chabad at La Costa announces “BBQ Bounty “at 5 p.m., Sunday, August 18. It’s an all-you-can-eat buffet with hamburgers, hotdogs, wings (spicy and bbq), corn on the cob, fries, garden salad, coleslaw, desserts and drinks. Click here to make reservations.
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Chabad of University City sponsors “An Evening of Solidarity Dedicated to the Hostages” at 8 p.m., Sunday, August 18. The night will feature an Israeli speaker who will share personal experiences and prayers for Israel.
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Partners in Torah, Corona Crush and Date Night posted on Facebook in honor of the Jewish holiday Tu B’Av “The Biggest Speed-Dating Event Ever” at 5 p.m. (8 p.m., EDT) on Tuesday, August 20 online. Entrants will meet up to seven hand-picked dates at the largest virtual speed-dating event for Jewish singles. Click here to register.
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Chabad of East County will host “Shabbat Friday Night Dinner” at 6:40 p.m., Friday, August 23. A Shabbat of unity, prayer and strength. Click here to rsvp.
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Beth Jacob Congregation holds a “Walk and Picnic at Lake Murray” on Sunday, August 25. Interested parties are encouraged to click here to confirm the exact time and place of meeting. “Bring your own” picnic lunch, balls, frisbees, blankets, and beach chairs to hang out, along with walking shoes to trek around the lake.
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Congregation Beth Israel will host a “Play it Safe: A Self Defense Workshop” at 9 a.m., Sunday, September 15. The Women of Beth Israel invite you to attend this workshop led by Tracie Arlington, a renowned self-defense instructor. This training is for students 12 years and older and everyone is welcome to attend. Click here to register by Thursday, September 5. No late registrants of walk-ins will be permitted.
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Jewish Federation of San Diego announces “October 7 Marking One Year: San Diego Community Commemoration” at 6 p.m., Monday, October 7 at the Lawrence Family JCC. More than 4,500 people from across San Diego gathered for Solidarity Vigil for Israel in 2023. Click here to register.
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JEWISH HUMOR
Chabad of East County shares the following joke: “A Dog in Shul” During Friday evening services, the Rabbi noticed a member of the congregation, Bernie, walk in with a St. Bernard dog. The horrified Rabbi went to talk to Bernie. “What are doing here with a dog?” “The dog came here to pray.” “Oh, come on.” says the Rabbi. “It’s true,” says Bernie. “I don’t believe you. You are just fooling around and that’s not a proper thing to do in a synagogue.” “It’s really true,” says Bernie. “OK,” says the Rabbi (thinking he would call Bernie’s bluff), “then show me what the dog can do.” “OK,” says Bernie nodding to the dog. The dog opens the barrel under his neck and removes a yarmulke, a tallis (and puts them on) and prayer book and then starts saying prayers in Hebrew! The Rabbi is so shocked he listens for a full 15 minutes. When the Rabbi regains his composure, he is so impressed with the quality of the praying he says to Bernie. “Do you think your dog would consider going to Rabbinical school?” Bernie, throwing up his hands in disgust says, “You talk to him, he wants to be a doctor!”
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Chabad of Poway shares the following joke: “Hebrew School” A little boy once returned home from Hebrew school and his father asked, “what did you learn today?” He answered, “The Rabbi told us how Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt.” “How?” The boy said “Moses was a big strong man and he beat Pharoah up. Then while he was down, he got all the people together and ran towards the sea. When he got there, he had the Corps of Engineers build a huge pontoon bridge. Once they got on the other side, they blew up the bridge while the Egyptians were trying to cross.” The father was shocked. “Is that what the Rabbi taught you?” The boy replied, “No. But you’d never believe the story he DID tell us!”
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GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer (District 3) will introduce an ordinance requiring “banned books” to be available and celebrated at all 41 County Libraries.At 11:30 a.m., Monday, August 19 at the County Administration Center. The proposed measure includes acknowledgement of National Banned Books Week annually starting in 2024; acquiring digital and hard copies at all County Libraries; support for Assembly Bill 1825, Freedom to Read Act; and annual illumination of the County Administration Center in blue, red and orange for National Banned Books Week.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.