SAN DIEGO – Today, the second Monday in October, is known as “Indigenous People’s Day” which honors the native people whose communities, health and culture were decimated by Europeans who arrived on ships to “discover” the New World. In some areas of the country, this still is called “Columbus Day” honoring the Spanish explorer who arrived in 1492. Many battles ensued. Land was stolen and European diseases decimated Native American populations.
Some genealogists believe that Christopher Columbus could have been Sephardic Jewish due to DNA typing. Allegedly, he was the son of Conversos who converted to Christianity from Judaism to avoid the Spanish Inquisition. Some of his writings suggested that his native tongue would have been Ladino, a Jewish language. Also, some of his crew were prominent Conversos.
It is regrettable that many Native Americans were killed and forced to give up land and livestock. On this day and every day, showing kindness to those of a different religion or nationality goes along way. We can’t erase our American history, but we can make improvements, one person at a time.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Chabad of Downtown invites the community to Sukkot services at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 16 followed by Community Dinner, and to Sukkot services at 10 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 17 followed by Kiddush Luncheon and evening service at 6:30 p.m. A Young Adults Dinner will be served afterwards.. Click here to register.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue presents The Roustabout’s Theatre Company’s performance of Looped at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 17 at Scripps Ranch Theatre. The play dramatizes a recording session with the legendary Tallulah Bankhead, a free spirit and actress known for her scandalous wit and larger-than-life personality. Click here for tickets.
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Congregation Beth El announces “Sukkot Service and Dinner” at 6:15 p.m., Friday, Oct. 18. Family and friends are invited to join and dwell together in the sukkah and enjoy a spirited communal dinner together after Sukkot service, organizers say. Click here to register.
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Chabad at University City announces “Sushi in the Sukkah” at 4:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 20. The night consists of sushi demonstration, kid’s crafts, cotton candy, moon bounce, festive music and more. Click here to register.
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The San Diego Center for Jewish Culture presents the screening of Running on Sand at 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 21 at the Lawrence Family JCC. Eritrean refugee Aumari is mistaken for a Nigerian soccer star, seizes this opportunity, and joins Maccabi Netanya despite his lack of talent. His personality overcomes many obstacles and he seems to have found his place in Israeli society, but unpredictable complications ensue. Click here for tickets.
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Congregation Beth Israel encourages congregants to participate in a “Day of Service” at 9 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 27. Various projects such as painting, sprucing garden beds, preparing school materials or dismantling the sukkah are just a few of the project’s organizers need help with. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. Click here to rsvp.
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Beth Jacob Congregation’s rabbinic search committee has scheduled Rabbi Baruch Frankel to lead services at 5:40 p.m., Friday, Nov. 1 and at 8:45 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 2. Click here to register. Rabbu Jonathan Goldschmidt will visit likewise spend Shabbat with the congregation at 4:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 15 and at 8:45 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 16. Click here to register.
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Chabad at La Costa announces to its congregants that they will be building the Addy and Arthur Hale Jewish Educational Center. This area will provide much-needed space to serve the community. Click here for available dedications.
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Congregation Beth Israel has made available High Holy Day sermons delivered by its clergy this year. Click here to read Rabbi Jason Nevarez’s Kol Nidre Sermon: “Vows, Shattered Tablets, Hope.” Click here to read Rabbi Cantor Jeremy Gimbel’s Yom Kippur Sermon, “Beyond the Tombstone: Relationships and Renewal.” Click here to read Rabbi Cantor Arlene Bernstein’s Yizkor Sermon.
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GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera (District 9) and challenger Terry Hoskins (retired SDPD/USMC, former community liaison for Rolando) will be featured at the “Rolando Community Council District 9 Candidate Forum” at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 15, UDW Community Hall. Click here to submit your questions in advance.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.