By Cailin Acosta
SAN DIEGO – The intermediate days of Sukkot or hol hamoed are the time between the beginning of the holiday and the end. During this time it is traditional to decrease one’s amount of work but not as much as when observing Shabbat.
During hol hamoed it is customary to greet people with a joyous statement of celebration like chag sukkot sameach (happy sukkot holiday), mo’adim l’simcha (times of joy) and chagim u’zanim l’sasson (holidays and times for celebrating).
Last night, the family and I attended a dinner in the sukkah at Tifereth Israel Synagogue that was sponsored by Sisterhood. The kids enjoyed the vegan paella and non-alcoholic sangria. Since it was a school night, they came and ate and went home. The flamenco dancers and Spanish guitar made the night very special.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Congregation Beth Israel invites the community to attend “Erev Simchat Torah Service at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 23. This service will be inspirational and open to all, followed by Israeli dancing, organizers say…. “Sh’mini Atzeret/Simchat Torah and Yizkor Service” at 10 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 24. This service invites the community and a kiddush lunch following in the sukkah.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue presents “Simchat Torah Celebrations” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 23. There will be Hakafot (Torah processions), music, singing, dancing and adult libations…. “Simchat Torah Services” at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 24. Participants will enjoy ‘Bar on the Bima’ and a cholent (one meat and one vegetarian) lunch. Click here to learn more.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue invites the community to “Simchat Torah Celebration” at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24. Israeli dancing with congregant, Barbara Birenbaum and dance with the Torah. Click here to rsvp.
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Chabad of Poway invites the community to “Celebrate Simchat Torah” at 6:45 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24. Celebrate the completion of the yearly Torah cycle with a buffet dinner, kids’ program, dancing and l’chaim. Continue the celebration at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 25 to complete the yearly Torah cycle and begin the Torah reading anew. A kiddush and light buffet with l’chaim. Click here to rsvp.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue announces “The Oys and Joys of Language with Dr. Richard Lederer” at 10 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 27. Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune language columnist, co-host of “A Way with Words,” and author of more than 60 books about language, history, and humor, will lecture.
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Temple Emanu-El will host its annual artisan festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 3, at 6299 Capri Drive, San Diego. For sale will be artisan pottery, jewelry, woodwork and glass. An opportunity drawing will be held at 2:30 p.m.
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Nova Exhibit in Los Angeles announces its final extension to Sunday, Nov. 3. This exhibit is an in-depth remembrance of the brutal massacre at the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7, 2023. The installation sets out to recreate a festival dedicated to peace and love that was savagely cut short by a terrorist attack on that fateful day. Click here to learn more.
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Lawrence Family JCC announces “Shabbat Market” at 4 p.m., Nov. 14. A variety of vendors offering foods, Judaica, fresh challah, table décor and much more, organizers say. Click here to sign up.
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Adopt a Family Foundation invites the community to attend “Holiday Boutique” at 11 a.m., Sunday Nov. 17 at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club. The Cherry Family will be welcomed as one of the adopted families. Click here to make your reservation.
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Murray Galinson San Diego-Israel Initiative and the Center for Jewish Culture present a special screening of June Zero at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the Lawerence Family JCC. Click here for tickets.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Chabad of Chula Vista announces to its congregation that Rabbi Mendel and Rebbetzin Mushka Katz welcomed a baby boy over the Sukkot holiday. Mazel Tov!
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue shares the following recipe: “Hersh Goldberg Polin’s Chocolate Chip Cookies”
Ingredients
1 cup softened butter
½ cup white sugar
1 ¼ cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 eggs
2 ¼ cups white flour (half spelt is a fun twist)
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups chocolate chips
Preparation:
In a mixer with a flat beater, mix the butter with sugars and spices until smooth. Gradually add the eggs and continue mixing for another two minutes. In a separate bowl, mix all the other ingredients except the chocolate chips and add them to the mixer. Mix very little, add the chocolate chips, and mix a little more just until you don’t see any more flour. Put the mixture in the refrigerator for at least half an hour (or overnight). Preheat oven to 350 F. Roll out cookies into equal sizes and drop them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving ample space between them. Bake for approximately 10 minutes until cookies have set and are no longer shiny. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack. Wait for compliments to roll in!
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OBITUARY NOTICE
David Cherwin died Sunday, Oct. 13. Funeral services were at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 20 at El Camino Memorial Park with Rabbi David Kornberg from Congregation Beth Am as officiant, Am Israel Mortuary reported. The family suggests donations to The Animal Pad.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.