SAN DIEGO – I read that November is the “Month of Veganism.” A movement that started a few years ago was “Meat-less Mondays.” I think I decided to be vegetarian when I was about six or seven years old. My mom was not a good cook. Eating dry/burnt chicken and steaks that tasted like charcoal fueled my decision.
I was thankful when I married my husband since he was not much of a meat eater and only when we would go out to dinner, he would have chicken. He enjoys all the meat-less meals I have been making weekly for over 15 years. My 12-year-old twins look forward to the “Thanksgiving Tofurkey Dinner” and all the sides I make. On New Year’s Eve we have a Thanksgiving “repeat” for dinner and on New Years Day I make a vegan “Hoppin’ John” with my famous cornbread.
As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, add something vegan to your meal. Many people will be adding an empty plate in honor of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza who cannot be with their families.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Young Israel of San Diego announced a philanthropy campaign, “Keeping the Future Bright,” on Sunday, Nov. 17, in an effort to raise $36,000 in three days. The funds will helpsustain and expand its programs from Shabbat kiddushes to Torah classes. Click here to donate.
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Chabad of East County announces its fourth Torah Lesson Series: “What do you Love About Israel?” at 7:15 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 19. Polls show Jews worldwide love the Holy Land, but what makes it so special? Click here to register.
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Congregation Beth Israel’s Men’s Club presents an evening with John Lefter at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 20. Lefter, a member of Beth Israel Board of Directors, will share highlights of his personal story, including his path to membership and then leadership at Beth Israel. Click here for the Zoom link, click here to register, and click here to pay at the door.
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Chabad of Downtown presents “Jewish Book Club: Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth by Noa Tishby” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 20. Read the book beforehand so that participants can discuss it together. Click here to rsvp and to receive the location…. It also will host the screening of Golda at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23. Click here to rsvp.
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Congregation Beth Am invites its congregants to attend Shabbat Service with Special Guests: The Cherry Family at 9 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 23. The Cherry family will provide an update on their lives in Israel by sharing stories of recovery and rebuilding in the aftermath of surviving the Oct. 7 attack on their kibbutz in Sha’ar HaNegev. Click here to rsvp.
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Beth Jacob Congregation announces a Cowles Mountain hike at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 24. Meet at Cowles Mountain for a 4-mile hike to the summit. Click here to register.
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Chabad at La Costa invites the community to “celebrate Thanksgiving as the family we are” on Thursday, Nov. 28. Highlights of the evening will include a feast featuring turkey and all the trimmings. As far as entertainment goes, Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort will bestow Native American names on everyone who wants one. It is a once-a-year tradition going back decades and has become a focal point of the celebration, organizers say. Click here to make your reservation.
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Young Israel of San Diego and Beth Jacob Congregation announces a “Kidney Awareness and Swabbing Event” at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8 at Southern California Yeshiva High School. Learn about kidney donation and get swabbed to see if you are a match for someone in need of a lifesaving kidney transplant.
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Congregation B’nai Tikvah announces its Hanukkah Party and Latke Contest on Shabbat, Friday, Dec. 27 at the Masonic Center in Escondido. Non-perishable food is requested for the edible tzedakah drive of Interfaith Community Services.
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San Diego Hebrew Day School reports that its Preschool and Middle School students took part in “Shabbat San Diego,” a community-wide initiative dedicated to uniting Jews from all walks of life to experience and celebrate Shabbat together. Students made challah and learned how to braid the dough. They also were able to bring home a braided challah to bake at home to celebrate Shabbat with their families.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Young Israel of San Diego reports that congregants Benji and Shaindle Suss celebrated the bris of their baby boy, Moshe Mordechai Suss. Mazel Tov!
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Hillel San Diego announces the launch of a new wellness initiative “The Matzo Ball Soup Hotline.” Students and family members can request a hot soup delivery which is starting at San Diego State University and will be rolling out to all campuses soon to students who are sick, missing home, or just having a bad day. The new Wellness Counselor will personally deliver nutritious soup (three different kinds to choose from) to students and conduct a quick wellness check-in to determine what else the student might need for comfort and support. Click here for the request form and click here to make a donation.
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Beth Jacob Congregation announces its Airbnb on Rockford in the College Area is now rentable for visits and simcha weekend stays for guests and families. Click here for photos and availability.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue reports to its congregation that congregants Morris Lazard and Elizabeth Green welcomed the birth of their grandson Beau Lazard. Mazel Tov to parents Gabe and Taylor Lazard.
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Chabad at La Costa reports that its Hebrew School are learning all of the Alef Bet. The first letter was Alef for Ohr – light. And the students made lanterns. Last week was Bet for Bayit – house and the students made Birchat Habayit to hang in their homes.
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Congregation Beth El reports that congregants Sarah Shekhter and Ross Pritchett welcomed the birth of a baby boy, Levi Felix. Mazel Tov to grandparents Jean and Gary Shekhter.
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JEWISH HUMOR
Chabad of East County shares the following joke: “Three Jewish Mothers” Three Jewish mothers are sitting on a bench in the park talking about (what else?) how much their sons love them. Sadie says “You know the Chagall painting hanging in my living room? My son, Arnold, bought that for me for my 75th birthday. What a good boy he is and how much he loves his mother.” Minnie says,” You call that love? You know the Mercedes I just got for Mother’s Day? That’s from my son Bernie. What a doll.” Shirley says “That’s nothing. You know my son Stanley? He’s in analysis with a psychoanalyst for Five session a week. And what does he talk about? Me.”
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Lia Spivakova died on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at the age of 93. Her collections have been documented and saved at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, Chabad of Downtown reported.
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Ronit Kugelmass died and is survived by her mother, Vicky Tsadok of Los Angeles, Chabad of Downtown reported.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.