SAN DIEGO – Jewish Family Service of San Diego urges donations from the community for its annual High Holy Days Food Drive. It will start Monday, September 30 and conclude Saturday, October 12. Suggested items include grains, proteins, canned goods and kosher items. Those interested in contributing non-perishable food items are encouraged to contact their closest synagogue or Jewish community organization to confirm their participation.
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Kindness Initiative and Kindness G’mach (The Jewish Gift Closet) point out there is still time to donate in the San Diego Gives fundraising campaign. Donations will support the expansion of its Gift Closet, which serves as a lifeline for individuals and families in need. Click here for more information.
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Hebrew Free Loan San Diego says that San Diego Gives fundraising campaign has started. Interest-free loans for the San Diego Jewish community members in need allows the borrower to support themselves with honor and dignity. Click here for more information.
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Hillel San Diego shares Roni’s story in a fundraising campaign for San Diego Gives Day. “I don’t think I can ever eat Trader Joe’s hummus again! THIS hummus is next level!” Roni smiled. She was savoring the group’s reactions to Israeli food. Eating at a hummus restaurant together forged a special connection during their Hillel of San Diego Fact Finders trip. Roni is a Hillel student leader in her third year at SDSU. She’s the friendly person welcoming fellow students to the Garb Hillel Center a couple of days a week and the President of TAMID, a student organization that partners with Israeli companies to teach business consulting. She’s passionate about Israel and has family there, so before going on Hillel’s Fact Finders trip, she thought she knew everything there was to know about it. “I figured my only purpose was to support and elevate the experience for non-Jewish students. But then, my assumptions were challenged. I learned the history of Judaism and Israel and visited places I never had before. I was inspired by the thoughtful questions asked by our non-Jewish students from vastly different backgrounds and perspectives. These are student leaders who had little or no prior knowledge of Israel. We developed deep bonds of friendship and mutual respect.” Click here for more information.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Israeli American Council of San Diego hosts “Shishi Israeli” at 5:30 p.m., Friday, September 6 in Rancho Penasquitos. Celebrate Shabbat with an Israeli potluck dinner with music and friends. Click here to register and receive address.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue presents “Kol Tefillah” at 6:15 p.m., Friday, September 6. The band will welcome Shabbat with joy, music and meditations. Click here for more information.
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American Jewish Committee San Diego will conduct an “Annual Meeting and Youth Panel” at 7 p.m., Monday, September 9 at Congregation Beth El. Panelists from Jewish high school and college leaders will discuss their experiences on campus. Click here to register.
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Congregation Beth Israel presents “Cooking with Caring Community: Rosh Hashanah Apple Cake” at 7 p.m., Monday, September 9 on Zoom. This event is hosted by congregants Ava Kurnow and Katey Lindley. Click here to register.
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Adopt a Family Foundation solicits registrations for its “Gala Under the Stars” at 6 p.m., Sunday, September 15 at the Leichtag Commons. Guests of honor include Natalia Casarotti, mother of son who died during Hamas’ attack and Dr. Leetal BenZvi, Expressive Arts Therapist with music performance by Israeli artist Shanee. Click here to register.
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Impact Cubed, Murray Galinson San Diego- Israel Initiative, Center for Jewish Culture and the Lawrence Family JCC announce the world premiere of “We Will Dance Again,” a Documentary Film about the NOVA Music Festival massacre, at 7 p.m., Thursday, September 19 at the Lawrence Family JCC. The screening will be followed by a panel of visiting Israeli professors, historian Dr. Giora Goodman and filmmaker Tom Shoval, as they share their insights on the film and their unique experiences of being in Israel on October 7. Click here to register.
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Lawrence Family JCC “Why the Jews? Understanding the Long and Tragic History of Antisemitism” will be presented by Brendan Murphy at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, September 22. Part Two will be at 6:30 p.m., Monday, September 23 at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Murphy has received numerous awards and has been a history teacher at Marist School for 30 years. Attendees will learn about the ideologies behind antisemitism and current efforts to foster genuine fellowship between Jewish and Christian communities.
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Beth Jacob Congregation announces the birth of a baby girl to its congregants Avi and Lauren Hanano. Mazel Tov!
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GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
San Diego City Council President and Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera (District-9) will attend a Welcome Home Celebration for recent flood victims at Village Green Apartments at noon, Saturday, September 7. Elo-Rivera, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (District-51) and Wakeland Housing CEO Rebecca Louie will thank community partners and residents for their work in helping residents access shelter, food and social services while their homes were being rebuilt.
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OBITUARY NOTICE
Bobby Gruder died on Monday, September 2. Funeral services were at 3 p.m., Thursday, September 5 at Congregation Beth Israel. Donations in Gruder’s memory may be made to Congregation Beth Israel Caring Community or the Parkinson’s Foundation.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.