SAN DIEGO – Recently I read an interesting article on myjewishlearning.com debating when it’s best to wish someone a good Shabbat. Immediately thought, “Duh? It is sundown Friday night until sundown Saturday night, right?” Not necessarily, this article gave an interesting perspective acknowledging the middle of the week as the focal point of Shabbat.
It mentioned that Sunday-Monday-Tuesday are the beginning days of the week when many of us greet each other with Shavua Tov or good week. Wednesday-Thursday-Friday many of us can greet each other with Shabbat Shalom or Good Shabbos in anticipation of the new week.
In college and occasionally now and then, a few of my friends would wish each other a Shabbat Shalom in a group text and would laugh each week to see who would say it first. I sometimes would have to check the date if a friend messaged on a Wednesday to make sure I didn’t have my days mixed up.
As we head into Shabbat today, message or call on someone to wish them a Shabbat Shalom. I have noticed it means a lot to friends who may live alone or are feeling lonely with the upcoming holiday season to know there are people out there that care about them.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Ohr Shalom Synagogue presents “Tots in PJ’s” at 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 22. Congregants are encouraged to bring their toddlers in pajamas to welcome in Shabbat in song. An activity will be followed by Family Kabbalat Shabbat. The synagogue will also host a “Lunch and Learn” at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23 and a reading of The Madwoman in the Rabbi’s Attic: Rereading the Women of the Talmud by Pardes instructor Gila Fine” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 26 on Zoom.
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Chabad of Downtown presents the screening of Golda at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23. Click here to rsvp. Popcorn and drinks provided.
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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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Temple Emanu-El invites the community to attend an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at 5.p.m., Sunday, Nov. 24 at San Carlos United Methodist Church. Rabbi Devorah Marcus will read a scripture passage during the service. The Temple will also host an “Ugly Sweater Family Shabbat” at 6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6. Click here to sign up for dinner reservations.
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Chabad of Carmel Valley presents “The Secret of the Aleph Bet with Rebbetzin Dini Polichenco” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 26 at the Torah Life Center.
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Congregation Dor Hadash announces its “First Friday Shabbat Services with Song Leader, Hilly Rubin” at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6. Gesher Vav and B’nai students are encouraged to attend. The congregation will also host “Shabbat Services and New Member Dinner” at 6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 13. More details soon, organizers say.
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Congregation Beth Am announces its campfire Shabbat service at 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6. Rabbi David Kornberg will lead this musical service in the Arch courtyard with guitar accompaniment by Ephron Rosenzweig.
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Congregation Beth Israel presents “”Lessons in Hope and Resilience” with Rabbi Yael Vurgan. At 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6, Vurgan will discuss celebrating Shabbat with people in her community, Sha’ar HaNegev, San Diego’s sister city in Israel ,at the Young Family Shabbat. At 6:15 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6, Vulgan will delve into themes from this week’s Torah portion. At 9 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, Vurgan will discuss how she has called upon tradition, prayer, and rituals to develop and maintain Jewish community, after kibbutzniks from the Sha’ar HaNegev region were displaced and the plan to rebuild. At 9:15 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, Vurgan will share stories about the value of leaning into Jewish community for stability and consistency, as families navigate through life’s most beautiful and most challenging moments.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Chabad of East County has announced a campaign to purchase property located at 7183-7189 Navajo Rd. The vision is to expand into a major campus to house Hebrew School classes, more Jewish learning classes and provide community activities. Click here to donate.
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Anti-Defamation League sponsors a campaign to pledge to fight antisemitism and end hate. Click here to sign the pledge.
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Israeli American Council reports that every dollar donated up to $250,000 before “Giving Tuesday,” Tuesday, Dec. 3, will be doubled. These funds will fuel programs that empower children, teens, and students to build a lifelong connection to Israel. Click here to donate.
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Chabad of Downtown reports that Rabbi Zalman Carlebach will attend the “Annual Kinus Hashluchim Conference of Chabad Rabbis and Lay leaders” on Thursday, Nov 28. until Sunday, Dec 1. in New York. He will visit the gravesite of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Click here to send a message to Carlebach to bring to the Ohel or mention your name.
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UNVEILINGS
Chabad of Downtown invites congregants, family and friends to three unveilings of memorial stones Sunday, Nov. 24, at El Camino Memorial Park. David Diamond at 10 a.m.; Ashley Weiss” at 11 a.m, and Ben Harouni at 11:30 a.m.
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OBITUARY NOTICE
Errol “Bud” Kader died on Friday, Nov. 22. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 24 at Greenwood Memorial Park, Chabad of East County reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.