SAN DIEGO – October 7, 2023, marks one year since the brutal attack on Israel by Hamas. Since that time, hostages have been released and some hostages have died. Over 100 hostages are still being held. Many speakers, movies, and books have been released telling the brave stories of those who survived and family members who share their loved ones’ stories.
When I started getting notices of events marking the anniversary, I thought, what if negotiations happen and the hostages are free by October 7, 2024? We would not have to mark one year of the attacks, but we could mark freedom. I still live in hopes this will happen but for now, we continue to stand in solidarity with Israel and do what we can to help, listen and support.
Jewish Federation of San Diego, Impact Cubed, Friends of the Israeli Defense Force, San Diego Rabbinical Association, Israeli American Council, Stand With Us and the Lawrence Family JCC present “October 7th: Marking One Year A San Diego Community Commemoration” at 6 p.m., Monday, Oct. 7 at the Lawrence Family JCC. More than 4,500 people across San Diego gathered for a Solidarity Vigil for Israel days after the events of Oct. 7. One year later, people will gather once again to commemorate the anniversary of this world-altering event. Click here to register.
Chabad Carmel Valley announces an “Israel Lecture Series” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25. Dr. Yair Ansbacher, counter-terrorism expert and advisor to the Israeli police, will lead this discussion on his first had experiences since October 7. Click here to rsvp.
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OTHER EVENTS
Chabad at La Costa is asking its congregants to attend Minyan at 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 20 to recite Mourner’s Kaddish. A quorum of 10 Jewish men ages 13 and up are invited to attend. Click here for more information.
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Chabad at University City announces “Kumzitz and Selichot” at 10:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28. Refreshments will be served…. “Rosh Hashanah Shabbat Dinner” at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4 and “Community Shabbat Lunch” following services on Saturday, Oct. 5. Click here to register.
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Jewish Federation of San Diego will host “Preserving the Legacy: Storytelling Workshop for Descendants of Survivors” at 2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 29 at the Joseph and Lenka Finci Jewish Community Building. This workshop is dedicated to helping the descendants of Holocaust Survivors become more comfortable telling the unique and powerful stories of their families. Featured speaker, Aaron Henne, artistic director of theatre dybbuk, will lead participants through a session intended to give attendees the tools and structures they need to craft their most impactful narratives. Click here to register.
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Beth Jacob Congregation will present“Harness the Power of the High Holidays” at 8 p.m., Sunday, Sept.29. A shiur by congregant, Rachel Abraham and a mindful practice by congregant, Esther Krohner, intended to transform hardship and flaws into growth and hope…. “Sukkot Dinner” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 16. Menu includes salmon, salad, tortilla soup, brisket, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, brownies, fruit, tea and coffee. Click here to register before Monday, Oct. 14.
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Chabad of East County invites the community to “Rosh Hashanah Community Dinner” at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Erev Rosh Hashanah Services start at 6 p.m. Click here to rsvp.
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Congregation Beth El announces “2nd Day Rosh Hashanah Hike” at 9:30 a.m., Friday, Oct.4. Congregant, Dr. Bard Cosman will lead this hike around Carmel Mountain Preserve. It is about 3 miles of uneven, sometimes beach-sandy trails with some modest ups and downs. Click here to rsvp and to receive location.
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MISCELLANY
Gary Weitzman, chief executive officer of the San Diego Humane Society reports to its members that a second rodeo has been scheduled at Petco Park for 2025. Rodeos often involve calf roping, steer wrestling and bull riding, practices which he said can cause unnecessary physical and psychological harm to the animals involved. Click here to sign the petition to ban inhumane rodeo practices in San Diego.
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Young Israel of San Diego shares the following recipe: Majestic Honey Cake from aish.com.
Ingredients:
3 ½ cups of flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon cloves
½ teaspoon allspice
1 cup oil
1 cup honey
1 cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup warm brewed coffee
¾ cup orange juice
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and allspice. Make a well in the center and add oil, honey, sugars, eggs, vanilla, coffee and orange juice. Beat on low speed until well combined. Pour into greased pan and bake for 60 to 70 minutes. Let sit in pan for 15 minutes before removing to wire rack to finish cooling.
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JEWISH HUMOR
Chabad of East County shares the following joke: “The best slalom skier in the world.” As you may know, in a slalom race the skier must pass through about 20 gates as quickly as possible. Surprisingly, one year Israel had Avrahom, the fastest slalom-skier in the world, and had great expectations for a Winter Olympics gold medal. The day of the final came, and the crowd waited in anticipation. The French champion sped down the course in 58 seconds. The Swiss was clocked at 58.7 seconds, the German at 61.8 seconds, and the Italian at 61.1 seconds. Then came the turn of Avrahom. The crowd waited, and waited…and then Avrahom crossed the line in …..three minutes! “What happened to you?” asked the team coach when Avrahom finally got back. Avrahom replied, “Someone affixed a mezuzah to each gate”
Chabad of Poway shares the following joke: “The pain.” Moshe was known to all his friends as a hypochondriac. One day he awoke with a pain on his left side and was convinced that his pain was appendicitis. But his wife Sadie told him that appendices were on the right side of the body. “Aha,” said Moshe, “so that’s why it’s hurting me so much. My appendix is obviously on the wrong side.”
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GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego) has recognized the 13th anniversary of the repeal of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Jacobs, Co-Chair of the Transgender Equality Task Force, spoke on the House Floor on Friday urging her colleagues to pass the Ensuring Military Readiness Not Discrimination Act, which would prohibit discrimination in the military and protect transgender service members.
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OBITUARY NOTICE
Susy Lerner, mother of Sam Lerner and sister of Howard Lerner and Naomi Lerner, has died. Funeral services will be held at El Camino Mortuary at 1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 22. Shiva will be held at the Lerner home at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 22 through Thursday, Sept.26, Tifereth Israel Synagogue reported. Contact the office at 619 697 6001 for more information.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.