SAN DIEGO – Veterans Day, Nov. 11, is here and almost everyone gets a day off from school, work or just another day for those who are retired. But it is more than a vacation from our daily responsibilities. Those who served deserve to be honored and one day cannot thank them enough for putting their lives on the line for our freedom to be in America.
My Father-in-law is a Vietnan veteran and retired from the Navy. He wears a Retired Veteran hat when we go to Disneyland or other outings, partly so his balding head doesn’t get sunburned. But I am also so honored and thankful when we are walking together and someone out of the blue will come up to him and shake his hand and thank him for his service.
It gives me goosebumps since he made a choice back then and knew death was a possibility. It also reminds me that there are good people in the world and for them to go out of their way to thank a stranger for their freedom is very touching to witness.
As we celebrate this weekend, remember those who don’t get a day off like our First Responders. Think also of those who are defending Israel and the hostages who would give anything to be back with their loved ones.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Anti Defamation League West hosts a webinar “Rebuilding Kibbutz Be’eri” at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13. Los Angeles Regional Director Jeffery Abrams will speak to members of Kibbutz Be’eri about their horrifying experiences on Oct.7 as well as their work to restore their home. Click here to register.
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San Diego Center for Jewish Culture presents “Treasures of the Jewish Music Collection” at 2 p.m., Nov. 14 at the Lawrence Family JCC. Jews in Opera, featuring Ukrainian-born mezzo soprano, Susanna Poretsky. Eileen Wingard will showcase the recorded music of great Jewish opera singers at the JCC’s Astor Judaica Library. Click here to register.
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Young Israel of San Diego invites the women in the community to “Women’s Challah Bake” at 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14. Click here to register.
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Chabad of Carmel Valley invites the community to its “Community Shabbat Dinner” at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 15. Click here to rsvp.
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Congregation Beth Israel invites the community to its “Interfaith Thanksgiving Service” at 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 17. Beth Israel and First United Methodist Church will come together for its 44th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service followed by an enhanced Fall Oneg. Reverend Dr. Hannah Ka, Pastor of Disciplechip, will deliver the Thanksgiving message and the choirs from both congregations will lead in joyous song and prayer. Click here to rsvp.
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Chabad of Downtown’s Jewish Young Adults Group announces “Torah and Tequila” at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21. Click here to rsvp and to receive location.
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Chabad of East County invites the community to its “Community Shabbat Dinner” at 4:30 p.m. for services and dinner at 5:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 22. Click here to rsvp.
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Chabad at La Costa announces it will be hosting a “Coming Soon Thanksgiving Dinner” and a “Chinese Food Celebration” with dates, times and locations to be announced soon.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue invites the community to its “Blood Drive Mobile with San Diego Blood Bank” at 9 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 8. All blood types are needed, especially O negative. Click here to register.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
San Diego Jewish Experience thanked the many people who donated and showed their support by making $203,174 in donations.
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Chabad at La Costa announces that it is official, it has a building permit. It offered thanks to the generous donors and to those who made dedications. Click here to review the dedications and what dedications are still available.
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San Diego Hebrew Day School reports that Middle School students dove into the world of leadership as they campaigned for positions on the Middle School Leadership Council. Candidates from grades 6-8 brought energy, creativity and dedication to their campaigns by sharing ideas and visions with classmates. Candidates delivered speeches on making a positive difference in the school and by next week the results will be announced. Male students also participated in the Worldwide Tzitzit Campaign which launched shortly after the Oct. 7 attacks by presenting each boy with a pair of tzitzit. This year, they rekindled and expanded this campaign with every boy from kindergarten to 8th grade receiving a new pair of tzitzit and accompanied by a meaningful lesson exploring the depth and significance of this holy mitzvah.
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Repair the World’s National Days of Jewish Service partnered with Little Mensches at the Lawrence Family JCC marking its ten-year milestone of mitzvah-making. Tables were set up with stations of supplies such as drawstring bags, toothbrushes, soap, non-perishable snacks, and cozy winter essentials like gloves, hats and socks to assemble necessity bags for the homeless.
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Kindness Initiative reminds the community that Giving Tuesday is fast approaching. Last year it raised over $15,000 and this year CalPrivate Bank has secured a gracious matching grant up to $2,500. The donations received assist in gas cards, rental assistance, medical care, and utilities. Click here to give early.
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Hillel San Diego reports that it has been challenged to raise $25,000 by midnight on Dec. 3 thanks to the generosity of two anonymous Hillel alumni. Every dollar donated is matched. Click here to give today.
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JEWISH HUMOR
Chabad of East County shares the following joke: “The Last Meal”: Fabritzi, Jacques, and Abe are about to be executed, and they are asked what they wish to have for their last meal. Fabritzi asks for a Pepperoni Pizza which he is served. He is then executed. Jacques asks for a Filet Mignon which he is served. He too is then promptly executed. Abe requests a plate of strawberries. “Strawberries?” “Yes,” replies Abe, “strawberries.” “But they are out of season.” “So, nu, I’ll wait.”
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OBITUARY NOTICE
Chabad of East County reported that congregant and singer Carla Setton Berg’s mother passed away in Brazil. The funeral and shiva will also take place in Brazil.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.